Fabric for covering Absorbers/gobos, etc.

What from a non-appearance standpoint should one look for in fabric to cover the 703 (or equivalent) insulation in an absorber? If I find a fabric that I like from an aesthetic standpoint what would disqualify it from a functional standpoint, or is it so critical that I should only consider certain specialtiy fabrics? If so, what ones?

Maybe a fire spread rating. But from my understanding, acoustical transparency is the main criteria. Gilford of Maine is a standard though. SUPPOSEDLY, it is as acoustically transparent as you can get. Looks great too. fitZ

I decided on a lightweight burlap that cost me $3.99 sq.yd. One thing to think about that caught me off guard was the strength of the material if you plan on hanging the panels. My original goal was to simply wrap the insulation in burlap, without any wood framing. I would leave a few inches of loose material at the top of the panel and install a pair of grommets in the material. Then the panel could be hung from the grommets. Once I had both the burlap and the insulation on hand, I quickly realized that the material was not strong enough to support the total weight of the panel. A single 2ft x 4ft x 4inch panel must weigh close to 10 pounds, and I determined that the grommets would eventually tear out of the material. Hopefully someone can learn from my mistake. (the good news is that I decided to support the panels on small shelves instead of hanging them. No great loss.)

cadesignr wrote:

Maybe a fire spread rating. But from my understanding, acoustical transparency is the main criteria. Gilford of Maine is a standard though. SUPPOSEDLY, it is as acoustically transparent as you can get. Looks great too. fitZ

the only problem with Gilford of Maine is that their fabric is only made available through distributors 'to the trade' which means it is rather hard to get for DIY projectces (thought with my professional license I could).

lex125 wrote:

I decided on a lightweight burlap that cost me $3.99 sq.yd. One thing to think about that caught me off guard was the strength of the material if you plan on hanging the panels. My original goal was to simply wrap the insulation in burlap, without any wood framing. I would leave a few inches of loose material at the top of the panel and install a pair of grommets in the material. Then the panel could be hung from the grommets. Once I had both the burlap and the insulation on hand, I quickly realized that the material was not strong enough to support the total weight of the panel. A single 2ft x 4ft x 4inch panel must weigh close to 10 pounds, and I determined that the grommets would eventually tear out of the material. Hopefully someone can learn from my mistake. (the good news is that I decided to support the panels on small shelves instead of hanging them. No great loss.)

I too can get burlap at 3.99 per yard. Burlap is not very dimensionally stable, as you noted. I went with my wife on one of her trips to the fabric store (was she ever surprized when I volunteered for that) and the thing that stood out in my mind was polyester felt, $4.99 in 72 inch widths and a huge variety of nice colors. It may not be transparent, but if anything it would add to the absorbency of the panel I would think. The only problem is that it is most likely not fire retardant at all, so I am looking into fire retardant treatments that I could apply myself.

Anyone have any thoughts (advantages / disadvantages) on Wool fabrics? I found this great design I like, but it's wool & $29.99 a yard. Ouch. Aaron

Aaronw wrote:

Anyone have any thoughts (advantages / disadvantages) on Wool fabrics? I found this great design I like, but it's wool & $29.99 a yard. Ouch. Aaron

Wool in naturally flame retardant (ever seen a sheep on fire?). It requires dry cleaning, but the stuff on your walls shouldn't need more than vacuming with an upholstery bush anyhow (unless you have a really WILD crowd there). In my brother's home theatre (in a very live basement room) he put a quad sheepskin on the back wall and another on the floor that his kids love to curl up on...I must admit it was a good mixing of asthetics and accoustics.

It's a Pendleton wool fabric. It's got an awsome design. I've been looking at all the Guilford samples they sent me, and there may be some I use in some area's, but I really liked what I accidently found at the fabric shop...just the cost. But I think Guilford is more than that. Isn't it? Aaron

Aaronw wrote:

It's a Pendleton wool fabric. It's got an awsome design. I've been looking at all the Guilford samples they sent me, and there may be some I use in some area's, but I really liked what I accidently found at the fabric shop...just the cost. But I think Guilford is more than that. Isn't it? Aaron

Well, this is one of the few places that I have found that sells Guilford as yard goods to the public. http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/prod ... ilford.asp A little less than the Pendleton, but you have to add shipping.

And a 5 yard minimum order...

http://www.silentsource.com/acousticore ... hart1.html $15 a yard, 3 yard minimum Lee

Burlap looks great, it's a wider weave than the Guilford fabrics, but I found if you put on 2 layers of burlap then it looks awesome - just as good as the Guilford fabrics. Burlap is $2.79 yd here, I got some samples in the mail of that Guilford fabric - it looks nice but the price is nuts.

Burlap looks great, it's a wider weave than the Guilford fabrics,

I'll Ditto that one. I picked up 100 yards about 3 yrs ago - used on basement ceilings, gobos, 703 boxes, rear wall in the CR etc. Still Haven't run out! I got mine from Ovasco in the US (.60 cents/yard!). Its 60" wide - nice and wide for different applications. About $300 for 100 yrds :lol: The stuff is tough - works nicely(acoustically) with the 703 - you will need to make boxes/frames for panels/gobos etc, but it staples well and doesn't sag over time. More Burlap! ( I mean Cowbell! haha ) :roll: Best , Dave

Craft felt is another option. cheers John