Window Construction Question

Hello I need some Information on installing windows. I have read previous posts of the same topic but I dont understand. I have to install 2 windows that are 5X4, 1/2 and 5/8 thick. I am using the double walls with 1 foot of airspace between the studs. I have a guy whos helping me construct everything and he knows his stuff but I want to make sure this is done right. The ceiling is going to be absorbative so I guess the window will be angled upwards. But other than that I have no idea how this is done. I have no knowledge of studio constuction or any at that, only what I have learned here. Can someone please expain to me how I would go around doing this? And please very simple so I can translate it to the guy(only speaks spanish). Thanks alot in advance for all of your help. Junior Cervantes

Junior, I'm on night shifts for the next couple days so it may take a while, but I'll try to put some things together for you within a few days - I'll check back before that in case anyone else helps out - when I get to it, I'll make drawings so you can print them out along with the explanations... Steve

Thanks alot Steve. Yeah, night shifts stink ;) Junior Cervantes

Junior, boy do they ever - and this time around, I got stuck working two extra 12-hour nites so I'm draggin' low and headed to bed - I'll hopefully get some things together for you by about Thursday, sorry for the wait... Steve

I'll be looking forward to the info as well. Just starting the second-level design (post-measurements) to describe to the builder what I'm looking to do. Thanks for making the effort to explain.

Yeah thats cool Steve, thanks alot for the effort. Wont probably start building the window for a couple of weeks so there is no rush(for me). Junior Cervantes

Junior, I know I'm cutting it close (haven't forgotten you) - I hope to get your window stuff done this weekend, hopefully this won't put you in a bind... Steve

i currently have two studios both with windows and both done diffently, the way i would reccomend for you though i havent really had a chance to audition its performance but heres what we did. we figured a the frame dimensions then we took our 2 x 4 frame on the 4" side and ripped a gap just wide enough for the glass, this takes a pretty steady hand and some pretty nice equipment to do. once you have done that you can slide the glass into the frame and caulk all around it. and you want to try then to frame your walls to accomodate the glass and wood frame what i liked about this approach was that we were able to rip the 2 x 4 with an angle going from the top left to the bottom right, which gives you a pretty decent angle and does not take up additional space you would have to surrender if actually angle the window framing, or use the walls for your angle (which was the other way i did it and was lots and lots of fun...yea right!) see with this approach you simple set the window and frame right into the other 2 x 4 flush and easily another strong recomendation before you seal up that window make sure you get some silica (like in a pill bottle) and lay a good bit all across the bottom of the window, then maybe cover it with some nice cloth for apperance. this soaks up any moisture that might get trapped inside the window and avoid growing a mold observatory, great science project , but this is recording studio not science lab, so get some silica of course you dont want to go by 1,000 pill bottles for the bit of silica, check around im pretty sure you can find it in bulk somewhere on the net. this is not professional advice just merly what we did here at the shed

Hello, I was wondering if 1/4" and 1/2" were ok since the local glass dealer said thats the thickest he could get it was 1/2" thick. Also he said something about tempered glass, can someone please tell me what this is. He said it was like laminating. Thank you for your help Junior Cervantes

Junior, first off I've not forgotten you, just been swamped with life's fun and games - I hope to get caught up in a couple more days. For glass, tempered is NOT the same as laminated, other than for safety they are somewhat similar. Tempered glass is still a single pane with no laminations, so won't have as good isolation per same thickness as the laminated will have. Second, going with double the thickness in one panel as the other isn't the best way to do it - you want your glass to have at least the same mass as ALL your wall panels on each side - since glass weighs roughly 3 times what sheet rock weighs, you need at least 1/3 as thick glass on each side of the wall as you have TOTAL layers of sheet rock. So if you have two layers of 5/8" sheet rock on one side, that side should have 1/2" glass - the other side of the wall should have a DIFFERENT total thickness, preferably more - that side of the window should have heavier glass, like 5/8" - this way, each side of the wall has at least 1/3 as thick glass as it has sheet rock, so the mass remains comparable between window and wall for best isolation. I have your drawing about 60% done, and should be able to finish it in the next 2-3 nights - these things always take more time than I hope they will, sorry... If your glass dealer can get 3/8 and 1/2, then that's what you should use - thinner than that will lessen your isolation by quite a bit. The two panes of glass should be laminated if you can get them, if not then the tempered will at least be better than plain float plate glass as far as safety is concerned... Steve

I think its about time for a bump, lol. After all this time Im finally finishing my studio and about to buy the glass. Still have no clue on the construction of it so if someone can help me with this it would be greatly appreciated. I was wondering if maybe I can just get the people who I get the glass from to just put it in a frame for me. Well just let me know what are my options. Sheetrock and glass will be up by the end pf the week. Thanx to all who help

This question has my interest also :?: :?:

14K wrote:

This qusetion has my interest also :?: :?:

I ditto my interest. Especially concerning for me is the AVAILABILITY of thicker lam glass than 1/2 inch, which I was also told by a glass place that that's all they could get, and doubt anyone else had anything thicker.... So, if we are told to use thicker glass, WHERE can we get it? It seems it not something off the shelf at all. thanx for any help on this ..... K

Aloha Junior, While I have not constructed a control room window assembly yet, here's some info I've managed to collect. Hope these help, Aloha 8) John Gardners thread: http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... s&start=60 starting about six posts down the page http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=windows http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=windows http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=windows http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=windows http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=windows http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... ht=windows

Wow.......you guys just blow my mind with all the good information and advice! I just found this site Saturday.......and I can't stay away! Thanks x 1000!

Yes, it IS a great library of info here! :?: I'm wondering about resonance between the windows. You obv can't put some pink stuff innit (unless it's transparant..gheh) so how to absorb them waves between windows?

14K, I think we are all still waiting to hear WHERE you can get the glass you were talking about. My local vendor (and every one I've called within about 50 miles) says 1/4" laminated is the thickest glass they can get. I was very disappointed because I have spent so much time and money building the rest of my studio "right" and it looks like I'm going to have to comprimise on the glass thickness. I'd also be interested (as I'm sure others would) how much you were quoted for the glass. I'm almost ready (days away I hope) from putting in my glass and I'd really like to do it right. len

Never searched for this before; found one in PA http://www.customglass.com/HTML%20Pages ... glass.html up to 3" thick, call or email for quote (prob'ly need to be sitting down :cry: ) Went thru 35 pages of links on google, found zip other than that... For a double frame wall with double glass, leaving the surround permeable so air can vent in and out of the wall will help window isolation a few dB... Steve

Steve, That was what I ran into. I'll give that link a try. I did find someone in Texas who had some (somewhat) thicker glass but it was going to cost 3x as much for shipping as for the glass itself. I may just have to end up with 1/4" laminated on each side. :-( At least my isolation requirements aren't that high so I'm hoping I'll get by. len

If/when I find out it's that difficult locally for me too, I'm gonna look into using two 1/4" float plate panes with some of that "security" membrane stuff laminated between - I'll be building a full 4x8 foot layout table soon so I could use that to do the deed. Other than that, more air gap can help a fair amount... Steve