need general help.

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 12:22 pm

hello first post here, i'm reading the forum for a long time now,

i live in mexico and gonna start Practice/studio room next monday.

priority , sound insulation, neighbors.

room gonna be like 4.60 X 3.70 X 2.50 m House brick rendered both sides.

i want to:

float floor 1/2" neoprene + 2x4 stuuds + 2" mineral wool + 2 plywwod + fineshed floor.

walls 2X4 studs + 2 mineral wool + rc channel + 2x gypsum

CEILING- options here? same as wall, suspended ceiling?

QUESTIONS:

i can buy 2" mineral wool at 8, 6 or 4 lb/ft density, wich one?

neoprene guys only sell me 400 pieces 2"X2", so i do some calculations and gonna use like 100 to 150 in the floor,

Can i use Neoprene in the walls?

len-morgan · Post by **len-morgan** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:56 am

You obviously missed the VERY FIRST POST at the top of EVERY forum: Please read and then update your profile.

len

knightfly · Post by **knightfly** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:03 am

That same post gives a list of points, each in bold, that make things much easier for us to help you; things like budget, whether existing or new construction, etc - if you take those bold points step by step and answer as many as you know, it may help (or even save your LIFE in some cases) ... Steve

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:16 am

i update my profile, sorry but my english is not so good i'm from Mexico, is why i do short post.

i gonna start new construction, basically for rock band practice room or tracking room.

gonna be brick walls rendered both sides. room size 4.60 X 3.70 X h=2.50 m

my very first question, i think i gonna update this with some pics and get more help.

i want to use Mineral wool i'm just lil confused with mineral wool density, i know fiberglass 703 is 3 density.

but wich density for Mineral wool?

i have acces to 3,4,6 or 8 density, but lil confused cuz, Roxul products are 4 and 6 density and auralex is 8 density and the company who sells the wool dont have the specs.

floor and walls gonna use 2x4 wood studs, so 2" mineral wool is my way i think.

Second question, neoprene, i read i need durometer 60 1/2" neoprene.

2" x 2" 16 to 24" o.c. works for me i guess.

can i use neoprene in walls studs? or i need to float the wall just atached to floor and ceiling?

thanks i hope u guys understand my english.

Post by **kendale** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:13 am

Aloha and wecome to the forum,

Thanks for updating your profile and post. Your english is fine. (Using spell check helps)

but wich density for Mineral wool?

"What you need to ask for is either rigid fiberglass, such as Owens Corning 703 (un-faced) or rockwool, mineral wool, somewhere between 2 to 4 pounds per cubic foot density; Johns Manville and Knauf also make similar products." I've read that 2.5 pcf is a good place to be.

Here's an excellent read that covers most of what you're about to experience: http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... 39&start=0

can i use neoprene in walls studs?

What and where exactly do you mean/intend? If you could perhaps rephrase your question with a little more detail, please?

Some of the comments most frequently given in regard to advice is to "take it slow, read and follow the stickys/reference/posts and then ask a lot of questions giving as much detailed info as possible." Its also a good idea to check out your local building codes to make sure you're not doing anything sub standard and/or might be hazardous to your health.

Many of the questions you and I have are mostly likely already addressed. It's just a matter of doing the research to find them. If we do our part, and then ask clear and specific questions, chances are wel find what we need to know.

Looking forward to your project and progress.

Aloha

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:20 am

Here is the plan for the upgrade. Sizes are in meters,

i have no rear wall in the control room, cuz need acces to the garden from the living room.

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 5:27 am

thanks,

link to mineral wool in mexico, i find Owens 703 but is super expensive.

http://www.protarsa.com/Lana10.htm

Mineral wool, at 5 to 7 dollars each 61 x 122 cm.

knightfly · Post by **knightfly** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:12 am

That mineral wool link is the right stuff - how thick are the pieces for 5 to 7 dollars? If they're 4" thick, that's about what I pay in Portland Oregon.

Just for your info, to convert PCF to kG/cubic meter, you multiply by 16 - so the 703, at 3 PCF, is the same density as the 48 kG mineral wool.

You mentioned 2x4's for floor framing - are these being put on top of a concrete slab or just a perimeter foundation, or what? We need more detail to be sure you're OK for your floor... Steve

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 7:48 am

5 dollars for 3 lb density, 7 dollar for 8 lb. all prices for 2".

this is gonna be a new construction, so floor gonna be Concrete.

from www.acoustics101.com.

So my plan is.

1/2" neoprene, +
2X4 studs at 24" o.c.? or 16" o.c.?, +
stringers at 48" o.c.? +
2" 3lb Mineral wool. +
3/4" plywood +
3/4" MDF +
Finish floor

Muchas Gracias.

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 8:37 am

Another question.

construction of room gonna start next monday.

do i use house brick or 8" Concrete Block. for walls A, B and C.

if i use block i need to fill holes with Cement:Lime:Sand?

Thanks Again

knightfly · Post by **knightfly** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:04 am

That floor method will work fairly good, but if you can afford it and need a LOT of isolation from outside, a better way would be to use just ONE layer of 3/4" plywood on top of the floor joists, then pour at least 3" of concrete on top of the plywood - this increases the mass of the floor, lowering resonant frequency and improving low frequency isolation.

Walls - if you're anywhere near earthquake areas, this

http://www.quikrete.com/diy/QUIKWALLSur ... ement.html

Is a much stronger wall for about the same cost. You'll want to fill all the hollow spaces in blocks with either sand or cement (cement is shown where reinforcing rods go, but sand needs to be used in OTHER cavities so there is NO AIR SPACE - then, your inner walls will become the second mass in the mass-air-mass construction, as shown in the Auralex drawing... Steve

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 7:20 am

thanks steve.

1 more question i hope i can explain.

after floating, the room. what i put in the floor area where the door gonna be?

i mean the 2 floors are gonna separeted like 5 to 10 cm.

knightfly · Post by **knightfly** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 3:12 pm

Do you mean separated vertically, horizontally, or both? Can you do a basic drawing of what you mean? Steve

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:12 pm

hello steve, i will try to get a drawing.

but basically i'm talking about door frame, since the door gonna connect 2 floating rooms. how i suport the 4 door frames.

aespin · Post by **aespin** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:20 pm

Heres the drawing,

or do i need to connect the floors?

thanks.