John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Hi, folks. Great forum. Really helpful (I´m new on it...)

Here´s my question: does any one have a comment or opinion for non-sealed but hermetic windows?
I´m trying to convince some client not to use opening windows, but he insists with buying hermetic ones...

Any sugestion...?

Regards.

Chino.

her·met·ic (h…r-mµt“¹k) also her·met·i·cal (-¹-k…l) --adj. 1. Completely sealed, especially against the escape or entry of air. -

Can you re-phrase your question? Not quite understanding what you mean... Steve

Yeah, I´m sorry. That´s a part of the specifical language one must learn about a work IN the work... but each language is different... And I work in Bs. As.!!! Sorry again.

I´m talking about a problem that I´m having with a client, that want to keep "real fresh air" circulating trough the studio. They want natural ventilation.
I meant that they like to build swinging windows (I guess you call them "awning windows"), with really strong, industrial like window latches, that close hermetically to the frame. Am I clear now...?

They don´t like to have a tipical sealed window looking towards the "outside world", neither to install a system for recirculate air trough pipes. They want split ACs and opening windows... That´s it.

One of the biggest issues is the isolation. I´m building a double wall, but installing the frame for a swinging window, would get down the floor the whole sacrifice of the construction, you all know what I mean... "getting both walls in touch".

One idea was to build two double-glassed swinging windows, with the inner frame (control room) not touching the outer (garden, f.e.).

Don´t know. The situation is starting to overwhelm me... Aaaahhh!!!
I want to seal th windows. They don´t (no matter what acoustical excuse I can give).
They put the money. I try to convincee them not to do crazy things.

Do you have any idea? Any sugestion?

Thanks a lot.

Chino.

If the client insists on openable windows, using two single-glazed windows with as wide an air gap as you can get is the only way I know to get decent isolation - you do NOT want to use two double-glass (like thermo-pane) windows, this will worsen your low frequency isolation quite a bit. Look for single-glazed windows, but ask about double-strength glass - this is just heavier (thicker) glass. If you can find windows with "safety glass", this is laminated glass and is also better isolation than standard glass or tempered glass.

If you can find two windows, one with 1/4" glass and one with 3/8" glass, with a 6" air gap you will get about STC 48 - heavier glass or wider air gap will improve this.

Good luck... Steve

I thought about that... Just one THICK glass per window.
For the gap between the windows, no problem. I´d get two frames, each attached to each wall, and I guess that the gap would be about 12".

But I´ll keep insisting on sealed normal-studio-human-being windows!!!
(In the end, "the client ISN´T always right"...)

Thanks, Steve!!! You´ve been really helpful.

Chino.

P.D.: Any ideas about the latches...? I have some, but like very much new ideas...

While the client isn't always right, he IS always the CLIENT - so if he wants openable windows, and won't back down, then I would give him openable windows but get him to sign an agreement that states your recommendation, and your reasons, and his override of your advice - then, if/when he doesn't like the result, you have some legal recourse. Make sure you have a witness who also signs this paper.

I've not looked at commercial windows for some time now, but more important than latches would be their method of sealing - without a hermetic seal (submarine quality) you will lose TL at the lower frequencies, and this is where glass suffers anyway - not good... Steve

Thanks, Steve, for the recommendation. And for the LEGAL part too!!!
I´ll keep that in mind.

I´ll let you know what happened when everything is finished.

Regards.

Chino

Question:
Would you guys go for alluminum or iron frames? I´m tending to iron, custom made frames...

What you think?

Saludos.

Chino.

Kind of depends on the climate - some places are more likely to rust iron frames than aluminum. BTW, you need to update your profile with a location so questions like this are easier to answer... Steve

Yes. I´m sorry. I´m kind of used not to publish my location...
Now you know I´m from Buenos Aires, in Argentina.

Thanks and regards.

Chino.

Yeah, me too - we don't need your address or credit cards, though

If your humidity is normally fairly high, you may want to consider heavy anodized aluminum, or possibly vinyl clad wood frames - I'm not familiar enough with your climate to judge what will last the best... Steve