Weird quiestion: Sound proofing

[slowslow325]

The best headphones ever are the $2 ones from Family Dollar. OK, they're ear phones, but they're still amazing.

Seriously, these headphones I found for $2 were really nice, especially for the price. They had mesh padding over them, but it eventually fell off and the sound ended up being less muffled and the buds fit into my ears better.

Also, you can lay on your couch with earphones.

[gtmtnbiker]

So here's the deal (I'll try to make it short to avoid the wall of text): I'm switching bedrooms in my house, and I'm moving into a room that's on the opposite side of the house that I'm on now. The side of the house that I'm on now, noise isn't much of an issue, even late at night. The room I'm moving into though, I don't want to keep my "next door neighbor" up at night because I'm watching TV.

After slow bumped the topic, I realized that I had a question that I forgot to post. It would be helpful to understand the house situation better.

1. Who owns the house? You? Friend? Family?
2. Is it a house or is it a condo/apartment/townhouse?
2. Who is the neighbor? Family member? Roommate? Someone living in a separate household?

If it's your house, then I would do the GG or QuietRock. If it's a place that you don't own, I suggest the headphones and keep the $200-300 (or whatever you spend) as savings for the future.

[Ziggy]

It's my parents house and they're the homeowners. That being said, I can do pretty much anything I want to do. I have the "go big or don't go at all" philosophy with this. I wanna set up the room the way I want it now, before I move it. So I don't mind doing any extra work for sound proofing (since I'll already be doing electrical work, spackling/painting, etc).

I'm leaning pretty far toward the GG right now. From what I've heard, it works a lot better than the Quiet Rock. I haven't been able to find any stats or charts comparing the results to doing just one side of the wall versus both sides though.

[gtmtnbiker]

When you do the sound proofing, be sure to pay special attention to the electrical/switch boxes and any duct work openings in the wall.

[Ziggy]

Do you mean because they will be a break in the sound proofing? Or because the depth of my wall will change?

Only thing on that wall is 2 outlets. I figure I should have enough play with them that the extra 5/8" sheet rock (if I do the Green Glue) wont matter. I mean, I wouldn't have to bring the box out at all.

But as far as it being a hole in my sound proof wall, that's another story. I've seen some materials that they sell to plug seams and holes. I know Quiet Rock has their own that they recommend for the seams between their boards, but it was extremely expensive if I remember.


So my Styrofoam idea is completely out. Says this page I found:

Styrofoam and other forms of Rigid Foams & Insulation "are not", we repeat "are not" interchangeable with fiberglass or mineral fiber bats when constructing sound walls. Rigid foam, although an excellent thermal insulator, is a poor choice for insulation in a wall designed to stop noise. Styrofoam being rigid and lightweight is an excellent conductor of noise (maybe one of the best conductors of noise you can buy). Rigid foam type products will actually degrade the noise reducing performance of a wall. You must avoid using these products in sound walls.

http://www.noise-busters.com/soundproofing.htm

[gtmtnbiker]

Do you mean because they will be a break in the sound proofing? Or because the depth of my wall will change?

The former. It's a break in the sound barrier. Just read up on how to handle the outlets regarding what should be done for them.

As for the depth affecting the outlets, you can buy special spacers and if necessary longer screws.

[Ziggy]

Well, it's official. I just placed an order for Green Glue. Let's hope it works out OK.

[gtmtnbiker]

Well, it's official. I just placed an order for Green Glue. Let's hope it works out OK.

Cool. Let us know how it worked for you.

[Ziggy]

It's too bad I can't do any kind of a real good test to see how well it works, I'll only be able to judge be ear. I wanted to pick up a decibel gun years ago, wish that I did, would be great to see results in actual numbers.

I got the Green Glue (enough for 2 tubes per 4x8 drywall, the normal amount recommended) as well as a couple tubes of the Green Glue Sealant.

[Ziggy]

Well I just put up the Green Glue wall today. It was easy enough to do, though I forgot about all the problems when putting up rock in a house that has settled (uneven walls, floor, ceiling). I forget what the total curing time was for the Green Glue, but I wont be moving into the room for some time anyways. I really can't wait to hear the results of it. I have high hopes.

edit:

Allow Green Glue 30 days of drying time for optimal sound isolation performance. Because it needs to dry, Green Glue must be allowed 7 to 10 days drying time before sound isolation will start to improve.

High humidity, cold temperatures and multiple drywall layers could slow the drying time considerably.

So I guess I have to wait a while anyways.