4" styrofoam w/ 1/4" paneling; any good?

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caretaker9

caretaker9

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I have access to a whole bunch of these 4'x8' panels. The 4" styrofoam is real rigid, and is covered on both sides with 1/4" panel board... They were used in modular buildings, and these were never used. The cool thing is there are door panels (the same 4'x8' panel with a door mounted within), and window panels, too. My concern is the sound proofing performance. Would 2 layers of gypsum board offer the same sound proofing? The denser the material, the better, right? We plan on building interior stud walls, and screwing these panels either directly to the studs, or over some gypsum board... What do you all think? Which has the best sound proofing qualities? Also, we plan on using the staggered stud technique on the interior walls, so that should help things a bit... Thanks.
 
Hey brutha.......
I am familiar with the panels that youve got. As far as a comparison in sound proofing between those panels and a staggered stud double layered sheetrock wall...... you would have to consult one of the acoustical engineers in here..... .....but if youre looking for the best soundproofing in drywall........ I can help ya out. .....as you know, drywall is my life:D

Ive done a bunch of theaters.......commercial and residential, and in areas where soundproofing is critical, the application has been:

- a free-standing framed wall with no connection to the perimeter (outside) wall...(insullate again if you want to)
- one layer of 5/8" drywall
- followed by 5/8" single-legged resillient channel, hung perpendicular to the wood studs.
- followed by one more layer of 5/8" sheetrock.
- Use quilted or foam backed fabric wallcovering, unless you can afford soft t&g.

This of course is a construction standard.... ..I dont claim to be an acoustical engineer........ Im sure someone in here can help ya further though.

Like I mentioned, Ive seen those panel walls that your talking about. .....Seems to me if you have enough of em, rig em up free-standing along the perimeter of the room and you are gonna be set up fine. If anything, rip the 1/4 panelling off of the inside and recover it with some heavy fabric.

good luck
 
Damn, I wish you lived closer!:D Thanks for the tips; I'll have to do a search on resilient channel... You da man! PM me if you can expand any, or have any further advice... Thanks, man!:)
 
Guernica said:
- a free-standing framed wall with no connection to the perimeter (outside) wall...(insullate again if you want to)
- one layer of 5/8" drywall
- followed by 5/8" single-legged resillient channel, hung perpendicular to the wood studs.
- followed by one more layer of 5/8" sheetrock.
- Use quilted or foam backed fabric wallcovering, unless you can afford soft t&g.
Click to expand...

What is done with the gap between the free-standing wall and the perimeter wall? Just insulation?

Running these 'panels' around the interior walls... would this compare to the foam backed fabric, or the soft tongue and groove as far as acoustic properties (based on your experience)?

Thanks man.
 
Unfortunately for you......... styrofoam has NO valid acoustical properties, it is a conductor of sound, not a barrier. Very good for temperature insulation, useless for sound
 
Hey Man,
The gap size isnt really all too important. 1" is sufficient, I believe what you are looking for is the air-space.... that is a space where no connection is made to transfer sound from one surface to another. In the applications where these walls have been built in my experience, the insullation as been installed in the free standing walls, not in the gap.... this is probably to insure that "no" connection is made between the two walls.

I was assuming that the foam partition walls could be used as the free standing wall itself..... but after reading sjoko's post.... maybe not.... youre probably gonna want to do some research on that one.

g
 
Styrofoam is an excellent fire starter/spreader and gives off wicked nasty smoke.
 
Welp, there goes that idea! It's cool because this is stuff that could've been free for the taking; but after reading the posts, that stuff can sit and rot...
Now, then... Staggered studs, drywall, resilient channel, and another sheet of dry wall (per side) - would this do? Or would I need a layer of some of that lead sheet to ensure things? Thanks for the help...:)
 
If you can get those panels free, I'd get them anyway and just built a 2 x 4 frame wall, use those boards, fill the cavities with rockwool, then mount a layer of heavy fire-rated drywall on both sides, over your free panels.
 
Sjoko... Thanks for advice. If they're worth utilizing, I'll include them; would resilient channel help the lameness of the styrofoam?:confused:
 
resiliant channel always helps - providing both sides of a wall are closed, and providing the channel and drywall is installed correctly - in other words, with patience, all screws in the right place, leaving a small gap top and base (to be caulked) etc.
 
SJOKO2

Where have you been ?

How is Business ?

I miss you


Sean
 
SJOKO2

Where have you been ?

How is Business ?

I've missed you.

Almost posted a missing persons on the cave.


Sean
 
:) Have I been missing 2 X ?????
:D

Just been busy recovering, now started work seriously.
 
:) yup, been a bit on the ill-have surgery-ill-have treatment-and have some more side. All ok now
 
Glad to hear your doing better.

Welcome back.

You've been missed.

Sean
 
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