New Construction

Hi all, I'm new here, and consider myself very lucky to have found this forum. I'm putting together a project studio, and I have a few questions. I've gutted the existing place down to the block walls that surround the space. There are some existing 2x4's attached with cement nails to the block walls. My plan was to attach two layers of drywall (gypsum board?), with insulation, to these 2x4's , and continue this on the remaining block walls. Are there any other options I should be considering at this point? Metal studs instead of 2x4's? I don't need complete soundproofing, as the drums played in the room are barely audible outside as is, but since I have this opportunity to basically start from scratch, I'd like to do it right. Thanks for any ideas. Julio

You'd get vastly better isolation if you can get rid of the solid coupling between those 2x4's and the blocks - then, if you don't need a LOT of isolation improvement, you may be able to just use a single layer of 1/2" gypsum inside - that would help minimise the amount of bass trapping necessary to get a good sound in the room. Do you know if the blocks are hollow, or filled? What are your room dimensions (all 3, please) and a general idea of budget? The more detail you can give, the better we can help... Steve

Steve, Thanks for the quick reply.

knightfly wrote:

You'd get vastly better isolation if you can get rid of the solid coupling between those 2x4's and the blocks -

I guess my main question at this point is how exactly do you attach the studs to the block wall?

then, if you don't need a LOT of isolation improvement, you may be able to just use a single layer of 1/2" gypsum inside - that would help minimise the amount of bass trapping necessary to get a good sound in the room.

Should I still use insulation between the block wall and the gypsum?

Do you know if the blocks are hollow, or filled?

Blocks, as far as I know, are hollow.

What are your room dimensions (all 3, please) and a general idea of budget?

The space I have is pretty much rectangular, measuring aprox. 40' x 18' x 8'9". I'm working on a drawing which I'll post a little later today. As far as budget goes, I'm hoping to keep it under $5,000.

Ok, here's a rough sketch of the existing premises. My plan is to drywall the interior, divide the space in half, with a recording room on the left, and a control room on the right. So I guess my first question is how best to attach the drywall to the existing structure. Thanks, Julio

The simple method is to frame a wall adjecant to your cinder blocks. Fill the frame with rockwool (AFB) and layer your drywall. Reference this page..... http://www.saecollege.de/reference_mate ... /Walls.htm If you are floating floors, build those 1st

If you're planning to put an inner ceiling on top of the inner walls, that can help keep the walls from moving around and possibly contacting the concrete - otherwise, there are companies who make special isolator braces and brackets (called sway braces typically) to keep the framing from moving at the top. At the bottom, the frame gets fastened to the floor (either construction adhesive or bolted using concrete lag shields) IF you're not unhappy with the amount of isolation (in ANY direction) you already have, you might be able to leave the existing frames in hard contact with the walls and put resilient channel on it, mounting the new wallboard to the RC - be sure to use a complete fill of fiberglass insulation regardless, it damps the wall panels so they don't ring. For the wall between rooms, a double frame with wallboard ONLY on one side of each frame will give best isolation. Hope that helps... Steve