Pics. of steve's new Studio from the start

I think you mean vapor retarder... Yes, there's a difference. See:

[url=http://www.buildingscience.com/resources/mold/Read_This_Before_You_Design_Build_or_Renovate.pdf]Healthy and Affordable Housing: Practical Recommendations for Building, Renovating, and Maintaining Housing[/url] Excerpt:
In new construction and significant renovations where there is a choice of vapor retarders, paper faced cavity insulation can and should be used in place of plastic interior vapor barriers. . . Building codes do not call for the installation of vapor barriers. They call for the installation of vapor retarders -- and only in cool and cold climates or colder . . .

Based on that excerpt, I'm thinking that neither a vapor barrier nor a vapor retarder is needed, since he's in Southern California -- an area which is not in a cool or cold climate according to Figure 21 on page 17 of the document (which is page 23 of the PDF). Does anyone disagree with this assessment? :roll:

I actually Agree with this asessment. Seems totally unecessary to me, unless he is worried about the roof leaking onto his gear at some point.

Agreed; especially if my unanswered question about roll roofing over ply is correct. That will act as a pretty complete vapor barrier, and you don't want TWO in any partition. Paper is a VARIABLE perm material, sorta works as well as you need it, so that would be OK but not necessary... Steve

Awesome -- that answers a question I've had for some time about whether or not I should do a vapor barrier -- er, uh, retarder. I'm definitely not in a cool climate!

I got started on the parti. wall im adding the second layer of drywall to this wall with STAGERED seams :lol: so no seams will line up on the existing wall and where it will mate to the ceiling. After this layer is done I will start framing the soundproof wall 12" away from this one. Thank you all for your help This is a great site! steve

knightfly Agreed; especially if my unanswered question about roll roofing over ply is correct.

Sorry for the unanswered question, Yes there is rolled roofing 3/4 ply. Thanks, :)

more drywall and lumber!! :shock:

DROOL. I Love the look of fresh Drywall, then I wake up and realize I have to move all these sheets. LOL

Ceiling is finished, Parti. wall has 2 layers of drywall and I am starting the framing :lol: This new wall is set 12"away from the Parti.wall I should be done with this wall and ready for more drywall :cry: in the next few days. steve

Congratulations! :) I realize it's a slow and tedius process you're going through, but look on the bright side -- at least it's not plaster and lath! :lol: And at least you staggered your joints so I don't have to lecture you on that anymore! ;-) Thanks for sharing the pics -- keep 'em comin'! 8) "Steve! Steve! He's the man! If he can't do it... Well... We'll just go find someone else." ;-) --Keith :mrgreen:

Looking really good. Get a wide angle lense (for my lust of your pics. LOL)

Finished the framing for the parti. wall :lol: Now I will add insulation and 2 layers of 5/8 drywall. I haven’t added the cross braces (fire stops) yet but i think i may need them to pass code. Somewhere I remember reading on this site that the TL is better with out the cross braces...... Could someone refresh my memory. Thanks, steve

This wall is set 12" away from the parti. wall, It takes up floor space but the TL ,STC should be pretty good theres just storage next door now. steve

12" is plenty:) I doubt you'd hear a gunshot past that :)

The "firestops," which are (I believe) also called "stringers," and "noggins" in the UK, may not be required. Check with your local building department. They won't stop fire though, since the inner wall will be open on the back of the frame.

Yeah there called noggins here in the U.K. As far as im aware, your not allowed to put up a stud wall without them over here!! Pics looking awesome man. Keep up the good work. oZ

I don't mean to pee in your Post Toasties, but is that wall connected to your ceiling? If so, haven't you just wiped out most of your isolation because of flanking through the ceiling? len

Here's Steve's original thread that explains his goals.