Materials reference

This section gathers technical reference material on the building materials commonly used in home-studio construction, drawn from the forum's ongoing discussions of acoustic treatment and wall assemblies. A curated "Reference Area" thread indexes links to wall-construction terms, nominal lumber sizes, and weights and densities of common materials, serving as a starting point for newcomers. Several threads compile hard data: measured absorption coefficients for Owens Corning 701, 703, and 705 fiberglass at varying thicknesses and densities, and tabulated weights of standard drywall panels converted between imperial and metric units. Other threads clarify terminology and equivalence, explaining that "703" is a trademarked name for a specific density of Owens-Corning fiberglass rather than a unique product, and that mineral wool can serve as an acoustically comparable substitute. A separate discussion addresses health concerns raised about synthetic mineral fiber products, weighing claims of increased cancer risk against available information. Together these threads function as a practical reference shelf for builders comparing insulation products, sourcing construction materials, and evaluating safety considerations before purchasing.

Introduction drafted with AI assistance from forum posts.

1. Start hereREFERENCE AREA - Useful threads/links 1 reply, 2004–2016. Started by knightfly in Studio Construction. With Soundman2020.
2. Start hereOwens Corning 701, 703, 705 25 replies, 2003. Started by Eric_Desart in Acoustics. With Ethan Winer, knightfly and giles117.
3. Start hereWeights/Densities of common materials 3 replies, 2006–2007. Started by knightfly in Studio Construction. With Ro.
4. Start hereWhat is 703 and Why Don’t I Need It 8 replies, 2007–2015. Started by AVare in Acoustics. With Ethan Winer, gullfo and xSpace.
5. Start hereHealth Risks For Mineral/Fibreglass Products? 24 replies, 2004–2018. Started by tmwhi in Studio Construction. With knightfly, John Sayers and Ro.
6. Studio Furniture and Rack Plans - Post 'em HERE... 70 replies, 2006–2020. Started by JohnGardner in Studio Construction. With Ro, cadesignr and knightfly.
7. Build Diaries & Completed Studios - Updated June 2018 11 replies, 2006–2013. Started by WiseMindsRecordingStudios in Other Studios. With knightfly, Ro and BradJacob.
8. Caulk and Insulation 48 replies, 2004–2009. Started by guitarguy in Studio Construction. With knightfly, z60611 and Aaronw.
9. 5:1 Surround specifications. 15 replies, 2005–2015. Started by John Sayers in Studio Design. With Soundman2020 and AVare.
10. Useful links - UPDATED 5/3/04 1 reply, 2004. Started by knightfly in Studio Construction.
11. Acoustics Links - started 04/18/06 8 replies, 2006–2013. Started by knightfly in Acoustics. With len-morgan, Ro and Aaronw.
12. "Sill Seal" used in studio construction? 24 replies, 2003. Started by Dr. J in Studio Construction. With knightfly, Eric_Desart and John Sayers.
13. SOME VERY USEFUL ACOUSTIC REFRENCE DOCUMENTS ABOUT ISOLATION 3 replies, 2019. Started by Soundman2020 in Acoustics. With Paulus87.
14. CHeap green glue Australia 15 replies, 2008. Started by lilith_envy in Acoustics. With Soundman2020, John Sayers and AVare.
15. do you know any good books on acoustics? 22 replies, 2005. Started by SoulFood in Acoustics. With Ethan Winer, cadesignr and lovecow.
16. Green Glue 21 replies, 2007. Started by John Sayers in Studio Construction. With z60611, guitardad72 and jwl.
17. Under 100Hz Isolation Performance 4 replies, 2004. Started by AVare in Studio Construction. With knightfly.
18. Sheetblok alternative? 22 replies, 2009. Started by IntelDoc in Studio Construction. With xSpace, Eric_Desart and giles117.
19. Any good use for MLV in double framed assembly? 7 replies, 2018–2021. Started by RyanC in Studio Construction. With gullfo, Soundman2020 and Paulus87.
20. Equivalency of Roxul vs. Auralex 31 replies, 2007. Started by matchless123 in Acoustics. With Ethan Winer, Eric_Desart and Ro.
21. USG Construction handbook, + Hints - REVISED 8/14/06 0 replies, 2003. Started by knightfly in Studio Construction.
22. GREEN GLUE 43 replies, 2007. Started by paul14227 in Studio Construction. With Eric_Desart, sharward and rod gervais.
23. Absorption Coefficients exceeding a value of 1? 25 replies, 2006. Started by onlyone-jc in Acoustics. With Eric_Desart, Ethan Winer and z60611.
24. Can someone tell me what kind of material this is? 11 replies, 2005–2006. Started by AK-69 in Acoustics. With Eric_Desart, knightfly and Ro.
25. Homasote Test 32 replies, 2019. Started by AVare in Acoustics. With Soundman2020, DanDan and Gregwor.
26. Battle of the walls 11 replies, 2003. Started by cfuehrer in Studio Construction. With giles117, knightfly and John Sayers.
27. Avoiding rockwool fibers in the studio : good solution ? 21 replies, 2010. Started by fxdfxd in Acoustics. With gullfo, John Sayers and AVare.
28. SOUND-DEADENING BOARD 32 replies, 2003. Started by nukmusic in Studio Construction. With knightfly and giles117.
29. Catalogs & Specs 0 replies, 2004. Started by Aaronw in Installation and Wiring.
30. Mass loading... 21 replies, 2011. Started by BriHar in Studio Construction. With Eric Best, xSpace and Soundman2020.
31. flooring other than wood? 17 replies, 2007–2010. Started by maxy in Studio Construction. With sharward, John Sayers and rod gervais.
32. Phillip Newell 19 replies, 2003–2004. Started by Eric Best in Acoustics. With knightfly and lovecow.
33. Safe n sound 11 replies, 2009. Started by Steve.E in Acoustics. With John Sayers and AVare.
34. OLD style studio articles. 17 replies, 2005–2010. Started by mattssons in Studio Design. With AVare and John Sayers.
35. Mineral wool vs. Fiberglass for absorbers 14 replies, 2006. Started by Vagabond in Acoustics. With knightfly, z60611 and John Sayers.
36. Building my recording studio in a flood/humid area... 34 replies, 2007. Started by Nightmusic in Studio Construction. With sharward and Eric_Desart.
37. Mineral wool Stinks.... 8 replies, 2003. Started by LDQ in Studio Construction. With giles117, John Sayers and Aaronw.
38. hardwood vs engineered hardwood vs laminate 12 replies, 2006. Started by bryanarchy in Acoustics. With Ethan Winer and John Sayers.
39. Writing an acoustic research paper on a studio... need help. 6 replies, 2010–2019. Started by CNavas101 in John Sayers Productions Designed Studios. With John Sayers.
40. SPI quote for 3" OC703 and Roxul Rockwool 28 replies, 2004. Started by Shaz in Studio Construction. With Aaronw, giles117 and AVare.
41. Source for fabric for absorbers/traps? 6 replies, 2007. Started by drfrankencopter in Acoustics. With Eric_Desart, gullfo and John Sayers.
42. sonopan vs owens for bass traps 9 replies, 2005. Started by bubblefish in Acoustics. With knightfly, John Sayers and AVare.
43. How Thick Should The Mineral Wool Be? 22 replies, 2006. Started by BradJacob in Studio Construction. With knightfly, Ro and camistan.
44. I have some extra 4" Mineral Wool 8lb density 15 replies, 2004. Started by brandondrury in Acoustics. With AVare and giles117.
45. Rockwool & Owens Corning 7 replies, 2003. Started by bolehnggak in Studio Design. With John Sayers.
46. What Are Good Acoustic Materials To Use? 28 replies, 2008. Started by SoundMechanic in Studio Construction. With AVare, xSpace and Ro.
47. Roxul Rockwool vs. Owens-Corning Quiet Zone 9 replies, 2004–2011. Started by Audio Elements in Studio Construction. With AVare, knightfly and BradJacob.
48. Green Glue tests 4 replies, 2007. Started by Eric_Desart in Acoustics. With John Sayers and Ethan Winer.
49. Fiberglass Facing 6 replies, 2003. Started by Stabb in Acoustics. With John Sayers and knightfly.
50. Durrapanel - Straw building panels. 6 replies, 2007. Started by John Sayers in Studio Construction. With gullfo.
51. owens corning quiet zone 15 replies, 2004. Started by floatius in Studio Construction. With knightfly, giles117 and AVare.
52. 703 absorbs better than 705 according to Bob Golds site? 16 replies, 2006. Started by UC in Acoustics. With Ethan Winer and knightfly.
53. material: SAND 11 replies, 2010. Started by omaroski in Studio Construction. With John Sayers, Ro and rod gervais.
54. Acoustic sealant versus latex caulk 14 replies, 2004. Started by motmclergy in Studio Construction. With Sen, knightfly and z60611.
55. Dacron.... for hangers 4 replies, 2003. Started by LDQ in Studio Construction. With John Sayers.
56. Recommended reading? 12 replies, 2004. Started by RiomirG in Acoustics. With knightfly, lovecow and Eric Best.
57. average life span of foam? 6 replies, 2005. Started by yoga in Acoustics. With knightfly, lovecow and John Sayers.
58. Caulk specifications 13 replies, 2003. Started by Michael Jones in Studio Construction. With knightfly.
59. SAE Website 5 replies, 2004. Started by BradJacob in Studio Design. With John Sayers, giles117 and AVare.
60. Which material (in Germany) for broadband absorber? 5 replies, 2013–2014. Started by Jncz in Acoustics. With John Sayers and Soundman2020.
61. Books 12 replies, 2006. Started by Mario Petrinovich in Acoustics. With knightfly, AVare and z60611.
62. What about cork? 5 replies, 2005. Started by Gogolo in Acoustics. With John Sayers and Ethan Winer.
63. Ecobatt an alternative to 703 rigid fiberglass wow!!!???? 6 replies, 2010. Started by Davebear916 in Studio Construction. With John Sayers, rod gervais and Soundman2020.
64. What is closed cell foam?? I can't find it in my city... 13 replies, 2005. Started by hugo_inside in Studio Construction. With knightfly, len-morgan and rod gervais.
65. What should the initials "STC" REALLY stand for? 12 replies, 2006. Started by sharward in Studio Construction. With knightfly, Ro and rod gervais.
66. Paint Choice 10 replies, 2003. Started by cfuehrer in Studio Construction. With knightfly and cadesignr.
67. Troubles finding Insulation 12 replies, 2004. Started by blakemcginnis in Studio Construction. With knightfly and z60611.
68. Increase TL With Holes Inside a Wall 7 replies, 2004. Started by AVare in Studio Construction. With z60611.