John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

First off let me thank you for a great site! By far the best I have seen on this subject. I have started looking into turning my basement into a studio and have come across a problem where I need to sound proof a window while I am playing but in order to meet code it must also be usable as a fire escape. I was thinking of building a “mini wall” that could be placed into the opening of the window when the sound proofing was needed. I thought that if the edges of this “mini wall” were covered with carpet it might make a tight enough fit to do a pretty good job. Am I totally off track here or will this work? I have attached a couple of pictures to help explain what I am trying to do.
Thanks

I'd be a bit concerned about sheet rock on the ends. Unless you use a metal corner bead. Especially for something that will get moved around.

The Idea is cool as a work around for your situation. Neoprene or a softer closed cell rubber on the edges might create a better seal.

Finally, I'd use cloth covered 703 instead of the foam you show in blue.

Oh Yeah, and Big handles to yank it out in Case of Emergency

Bryan Giles

Great idea on the handles! Very good point on the sheet rock to the ends. Perhaps MDF or Plywood woud be better. I could also do a little overlap with the rest of the wall and use the foam idea to seal there. It seems like the foam would not slide in and out of the window cell very well.
What is this cloth coverd 703 you mention? I was thinking about using some type of foam over that whole wall to help keep reflections down so I thought I would use the same stuff for the "mini wall" but if the 703 would work better....
Thanks agian!

Never mind about the 703 I figured out what it was.

Might be some ideas here -

http://johnlsayers.com/phpBB2/viewtopic ... highlight=

HTH... Steve

My reccomendation is always to construct a "door" to fit witin the window frame - this can be opened when you want - closed when you want - and just latch in place with 2 bolt latches.

Use the same weatherstripping you wouold use on a normal sound door - it works great.

Rod

That's a great idea Rod - the only time I'd think that might not work as well as an "insert" is if you're REALLY cramped for space, and don't have even enough room to swing a door open.

If there's room though, it's a much better way to go... Steve

Steve,

I know what you mean - i typically swing them up - install latch hooks at the ceiling to hold them open and out of the way - that way - unless you block the front of the window off - which would be a BAD thing to do with an egress window - you are always able to open them fuly....... and they don't eat up valuable wall space on the window sides...........

PLUS (I love pluses - don't you?) - they close by gravity - which helps even more to keep the seal.............

Rod

"they close by gravity " -

Wow, thats, like, HEAVY, man.. ... Steve