Basement Studio in NJ-Construction

I decided to start a new thread related to the construction of my project. The plans thread was pretty long with no building involved. This will be more of the construction thread. Previous Thread http://www.johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10747&highlight=basement Ok, so i ripped down the old framing beefed up the ceiling with drywall, caulk & insulation Put up the new framing and independent ceiling These first few pics are of the walls i put up This is the view into the iso booth where the window will be These are the braces i used to construct my 2x4 independent ceiling This is the 1.5" clearence from the new frame and the exising floor joist This is some of the fire blocking i have installed (very important!) My electrician friend came in and ran my new lights/switches/elec outlets to new 20amp breaker in box I will be installing a portable ac unit in the room fresh air will be from window pictured below with in-line fans (1 blowing, ! sucking) I will make an access panel to get to the fans for future use or replacement This is where i am up to this point Next to do is run my audio cable from room to room which im not looking forward to

Hi Ralph, On your other thread you had asked: "... when i frame out the new walls/ceiling should i construct 16" oc or 24" oc " You would want to frame out 24" OC. This will allow the panel to have more flex in it and you will get a better return out of your Green Glue damping. John

I would look into how far a 2 X 4 will span for a ceiling...with whatever amount of load I was going to put on it, then I would up the 2 X 4 to 2 X 6 joists ;)

thanks for the replies!

On your other thread you had asked: "... when i frame out the new walls/ceiling should i construct 16" oc or 24" oc " You would want to frame out 24" OC. This will allow the panel to have more flex in it and you will get a better return out of your Green Glue damping.

I never got an answer to that question so i went with traditional 16" oc framing...as far as GG goes, i think im gonna pass on that..im already at $2500 for my build with lumber,insulation,electrical,lighting,ac unit,doors,drywall,custom wall plates,caulk,flooring etc. which is already $1000 over my original budget.. im confident that the proper independent room will provide great isolation. Also i still have to get the windows to my iso booth and oc 703

I would look into how far a 2 X 4 will span for a ceiling...with whatever amount of load I was going to put on it, then I would up the 2 X 4 to 2 X 6 joists Wink

I dont have the documentation on hand but the span is just shy of 10' and i read that the max span for 2x4 ceiling with the load of 2 layers of 5/8 drywall is 12 ft A quick question while im at it: 1) I have tried to get rigid insulation from the local lowes/home depot and neither of them have been able to help. I had the same trouble locating this stuff locally for my last build. I can buy it online but would prefer to get locally to avoid shipping costs, any suggestions? Also, i would like to add that i noticed it was a good idea to add extra 2x4 nailers at all wall corners for a double drywall installation i will update with current pics asap

"I dont have the documentation on hand but the span is just shy of 10' and i read that the max span for 2x4 ceiling with the load of 2 layers of 5/8 drywall is 12 ft " /quote Yes sir, southern pine, visually graded number 1 @ 16" OC with a 5 psf dead load is stated to span 11' 6" (inside to inside bearing measurements). Number 3 drops to a 10 foot span. It's just that these numbers are pushing the limits with an approx. load of 4 and 3/4 pounds over my head. It's my head I'm concerned with, so no worries :)

so are you saying im in danger and should wear a helmet when in the room??

Hey rsmooth, Nice progress you are making! Not sure if you remember but i am the other NJ build and i just realized you have an electrician friend?!?!?! Too late for me :-) Any way about the rigid fiber glass: Not sure where in NJ you are but I found this super cool company in Lynden NJ called "Tri city insulation" http://www.tricityinsulation.com They have a huge warehouse and all they do is insulation, they'll cut it for ya and what not. They have cheap options. Enjoy! :-)

3 quick questions: will adding green glue add to the dead load of the ceiling? any tips on using corner bead for the double drywall installation? will adding room treatments add to isolation to the rest of the house or is it only for reflections, in room acoustics, etc? thanks in advance

3 quick answers: 1 - Green Glue is heaviest when first applied, yet 2 quarts per 32 sq.ft. is not a lot of weight to start. Green Glue is water based and therefor much of it's weight will dissipate as the Green Glue cures (up to 30 days) 2 - If doing a double drywall assembly, stagger your seams and use a 3/8" - 1/4" bead (depending on the gap) of acoustical caulk, also known as 50 year flexible caulk, around the parameter. Then tape/mud. 3 - Room treatments do not add to room isolation. You are correct in stating that they are for in room reflections, and acoustics (room sound quality.) I hope this helped. John

thanks john! another question in regards to my window: the walls between the CR & iso room are 2x4 frames with 2 layers of drywall on each side. i dont have rods book in front of me but the calculation i came up with would be 3/4" thick on CR side and 1/2" thick on iso booth side, is this a proper calculation?

ok so i know ive been slacking with the update pics so here they are. Ive been hard at work at havnt found the time until now. These are all pics of inside the vocal booth (2nd layer of 5/8" drywall) These are pics of the CR with the solid door and custom doors for elec panel and fan access Also, all electrical has been installed and the floors will be finished tonight. Walls are primed and painting will be done tuesday and thursday. Window in CR has been installed. So it looks like after painting comes trim work (stained base/casing), acoustic treatment, desks, furniture and then bring the gear in!! so close yet so far! Soon enough i will be finished and just seeing how far i have come already makes me feel accomplished!

more updates! more pics! here is a pic in the CR with the flooring i put down These are the 2 access panel openings i have made The rest are pics of the iso room primed and with lights/vents installed

more pics!! the color is slate..hope u like is much as i do nice pic of where the desk will go elec panel and fresh air out trim work stained with 2 coats of poly (always a good time) insulation for treatment is ready to be picked up..thanks again eran that place is not only awesome but great prices!

Glad i could help! 8)

more pics Got plenty of 703 a few 2" panels covered panel installed in the room superchunk!!

Looking good!

thanks ro! lots of hard work finally taking some shape

Just a quick update about the isolation of my build.. unfortunately i dont have any readings from a decibal meter or what not, but before the room was built, conversation coming from down there was heard as if someone was talking right next to you (from the room above and even on the 2nd floor in the bedrooms!). I did a sound check with a 15" powered mackie at full volume at 1am, and the results were astounding! In the room directly above, you can hear that someone is playing music but sounds extremely muffled. From the bedrooms on the 2nd floor, you cannot hear a peep! Also, the police did not show up which means that my neighbors were not able to hear my wonderful music selection. I still have some work to do in the iso booth so i cannot determine the isolation in that regard, but as far as isolation from CR to the rest of the house i must say it is a success and am very pleased with the results. All my friends thought i was crazy with how meticulous i was was with the isolation as far as caulking and puddy pads, but they sure are impressed with the amount of isolation at the end result! Just goes to show that taking extra time to make sure everything is done right and paying close attention to detail gets the desired results. Couldnt have done it without this forum and rod's book! Thanks again

Updates!! Ill start with updated pics of the CR..panels are up! so now that room is completed and ready for the desk Now for the iso booth.. this is a pic of the stage snake mounted these are built in absorbers 4" thick on these 2 walls...2" thick on the other 2 walls (not pictured) so the CR construction is complete, trim and all a few lose ends in the iso booth and i will be ready to rock..... and oh yea...cleaning up the garage and unfinished part of the basement :( how could i forget