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Post by shakermaker on Sept 28, 2022 7:31:24 GMT -6
Hey there, I'm building some wooden acoustic panels using rock wool safe n sound (2x4) for dampening in my live drum room.
What would the best fabric/cloth be to use on the front of the panels?
thanks!
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Post by svart on Sept 28, 2022 7:56:05 GMT -6
Hey there, I'm building some wooden acoustic panels using rock wool safe n sound (2x4) for dampening in my live drum room. What would the best fabric/cloth be to use on the front of the panels? thanks! I've used medium/high quality burlap, speaker grill cloth, and repurposed loose-knit fabrics from ikea curtains and blankets. I can't say I've noticed too much difference between any of them. Medium quality burlap can be found at your local fabric store and if you have coupons or wait for sales you can get larger amounts of it for fairly cheap. Higher quality stuff can be bought from acoustic stores online like ATS. Speaker grill cloth is probably the most academically "transparent" but it's also usually pretty stretchy and usually needs something else like window screen material behind it to have any support plus it's not usually cheap. I've turned to using the really thinly knit fabrics from Ikea curtains and blankets as my go-to. Sounds strange, I know, but you can get large fabric panels for a whole lot cheaper than trying to buy generic fabrics. They're strong and cheap and I've not noticed any real difference in performance. The thinly knit curtains don't usually have any printing or pattern, but some of them have a pleasing grain to their knitting. Basically, if you can see significant light through the fabric, it's also probably acoustically transparent to a large degree. |
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Post by Tbone81 on Sept 28, 2022 9:49:28 GMT -6
I’ve used curtains from target for a lot of my bass traps, looks great and was cheaper than buying fabric. Just make sure it’s breathable and you’ll be good.
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Post by bikescene on Sept 28, 2022 12:03:28 GMT -6
The tip about curtains for fabric is something that I’ll need to keep in mind for the future.
I’ve used ponte knit fabric and bleached muslin on panels that I’ve built.
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Post by shakermaker on Sept 28, 2022 12:04:45 GMT -6
Thanks for all the responses guys. Gonna grab some curtains just make sure its breathable. cheers!
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Post by Quint on Sept 28, 2022 12:57:26 GMT -6
Im sure it's just a code thing, but I never understood why we get up in arms about only using fire rated fabric for acoustic treatment, but then don't mind living in a house with sheets and curtains that aren't fire treated.
It seems to me that the only difference between the two is degree of implied/intended permanence, otherwise why must one be treated and the others not? Oh, and the cost is also a big difference. A BIG difference. Now where is Rod Gervais to scold me about this...
Just because I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to building code stuff, and it's potential impacts on my insurance coverage in the event of a fire, I've been looking at the usual suspect, Guilford of Maine, for my fabric needs on a ceiling cloud project I'm working thru. But, damn, I could save so much money just using some cheap, low thread-count bed sheets instead...
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Post by svart on Sept 28, 2022 13:06:00 GMT -6
Im sure it's just a code thing, but I never understood why we get up in arms about only using fire rated fabric for acoustic treatment, but then don't mind living in a house with sheets and curtains that aren't fire treated. It seems to me that the only difference between the two is degree of implied/intended permanence, otherwise why must one be treated and the others not? Oh, and the cost is also a big difference. A BIG difference. Now where is Rod Gervais to scold me about this... Just because I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to building code stuff, and it's potential impacts on my insurance coverage in the event of a fire, I've been looking at the usual suspect, Guilford of Maine, for my fabric needs on a ceiling cloud project I'm working thru. But, damn, I could save so much money just using some cheap, low thread-count bed sheets instead... Typically fire code comes into effect if you run a business in the space and will have an occupancy over some amount, at least in my area. If it's just for personal use, then it's no biggie. They do make fire retardant spray that can be used on fabrics that might suffice for code compliance. I don't know for sure though. |
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Post by Quint on Sept 28, 2022 13:12:31 GMT -6
Im sure it's just a code thing, but I never understood why we get up in arms about only using fire rated fabric for acoustic treatment, but then don't mind living in a house with sheets and curtains that aren't fire treated. It seems to me that the only difference between the two is degree of implied/intended permanence, otherwise why must one be treated and the others not? Oh, and the cost is also a big difference. A BIG difference. Now where is Rod Gervais to scold me about this... Just because I tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to building code stuff, and it's potential impacts on my insurance coverage in the event of a fire, I've been looking at the usual suspect, Guilford of Maine, for my fabric needs on a ceiling cloud project I'm working thru. But, damn, I could save so much money just using some cheap, low thread-count bed sheets instead... Typically fire code comes into effect if you run a business in the space and will have an occupancy over some amount, at least in my area. If it's just for personal use, then it's no biggie. They do make fire retardant spray that can be used on fabrics that might suffice for code compliance. I don't know for sure though. I hear you on the personal vs business thing. However, if you read Rod's book, he doesn't differentiate between the two and insists that you have to use fire retardant fabric regardless, per code. I'm not an expert on code, and may choose to just save the money regardless, but Rod seems to know about these things. Anyway, I'm looking at $14.99 sheets at Wal-Mart, to at least think about it. |
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Post by shakermaker on Sept 30, 2022 5:43:09 GMT -6
Thanks for all the replies. Took the advice in this forum and ended up buying some curtains on discount. Could get two panels out of one curtain and took the price per to around $6-$8 vs the $40-$45 fabric land was gonna cost for fabric!
Finished them and got them up in time for a session this weekend. Not perfect and I need to add some more but the live room is way better now!
thanks for all the help and advice from everyone!
ps. I cleared them out of all their curtains so have material to build a bunch more in the same colour, the lady at the cash was def wtf'ing? haha
edit: damn just saw the comments about the fire code stuff. Didn't even think of that. Might have to spray them down? It's a private studio so not sure it's that much of an issue? I'll have to check local code/insurance.
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Post by keymod on Sept 30, 2022 6:00:34 GMT -6
Cool looking room, love the stairs going down.
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Post by shakermaker on Sept 30, 2022 6:15:37 GMT -6
thanks man! it was built in the early 90s in my hometown, went up for sale for the first time at the end of the pandemic and I was lucky enough to close on it. Really cool space! Funny to think a decade+ earlier I was working at a local music store down the road dropping off strings to it! haha www.instagram.com/thread.junction.studios cheers |
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Post by svart on Sept 30, 2022 7:13:02 GMT -6
thanks man! it was built in the early 90s in my hometown, went up for sale for the first time at the end of the pandemic and I was lucky enough to close on it. Really cool space! Funny to think a decade+ earlier I was working at a local music store down the road dropping off strings to it! haha www.instagram.com/thread.junction.studios cheers Glad the curtain idea worked for you! That's a good looking space. Congrats. |
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Post by copperx on Oct 13, 2022 16:55:00 GMT -6
I hear you on the personal vs business thing. However, if you read Rod's book, he doesn't differentiate between the two and insists that you have to use fire retardant fabric regardless, per code. I'm not an expert on code, and may choose to just save the money regardless, but Rod seems to know about these things. Anyway, I'm looking at $14.99 sheets at Wal-Mart, to at least think about it. Cancer from such fire retardants seems more likely than a fire, to be honest. I would only consider treated materials if code requires it. |
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Post by M57 on Oct 16, 2022 12:09:31 GMT -6
It's not cheap, but Guilford of Maine manufactures a large selection of fire-resistant 'acoustical' fabric.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Oct 17, 2022 10:13:17 GMT -6
I would use some pegboard behind the cloth because you want to reflect enough top end that the response is even and not muffled sounding.
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Post by Ward on Oct 24, 2022 4:54:41 GMT -6
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
What the professor said!!
On top of that, Go to your local fabric outlet (where all the grandmas buy bolts of fabric to make everything) and pick out a nice upholstery cloth. Will look better and won't sound as muffled as reusing general material.
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Post by Bob Olhsson on Oct 24, 2022 11:41:26 GMT -6
A great idea!
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Post by wiz on Oct 26, 2022 22:08:17 GMT -6
I used hessian.. bought from a fabric store... that was about 15 years ago...
cheers
Wiz
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