Making Holes in Things

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GazEcc

GazEcc

mBallstát atá tiomanta
Ok I've the constructional (is that a word?) skills of ... I can't think of an analogy without seeming racist so if you could choose your own that would be great,

Basically I have two rooms, I wanna make a hole in the wall for a window and another for cables. after a brief chat with an uncle of mine, who's by no means an expert he reckons that it should be grand to just go nuts, bear in mind this is a basement so I'm worried that it could hurt the house structurally should I get in a architect / engineer or would I be safe enough just to hire the builder?

This project is many many Euro's away, I won't be starting tomorrow maybe not even by Friday but I have got plans to do it at some stage.

Any and all advice apreciated
 
What you are worried about is called load-bearing walls. Basically, the structure above is supported by some walls- these are the load-bearing walls, and others are only dividers. Generally, one will want to not remove LB walls, but a hole big enough to run cables should not be a problem. A window is somewhere in the middle- you might be okay, but maybe not. You don't say what the basement walls are made of- punching or cutting holes in a stud wall (wood or metal studs) is easy, and if you only cut through sheet rock, you should be fine. A window can be put into a wall; even if it is a LB wall, you can reinforce the area around the window, usually by putting additional studs next to the remaining ones.

In order to be sure, you should contract with a structural engineer to determine which walls are LB. Beyond that, I don't think there is much more I, or anyone else, can tell you.
 
Generally, in order to put a window into a load bearing wall will require installing a "header" over the window, this will be comprised of a doubled 2X6/8 set on its side to support the weight and the ends extend passed the window on each side by at least 4 - 8", onto doubled vertical studs for extra support.. This is referred to as bearing, the amount your header goes passed the the sides of the rough opening. I would suggest consulting your local building inspecter, it's their job to make your project as difficult/SAFE as possible....the only drawback, is most likely you will be required to get a building permit. Obviously, local codes differ so this is a best guestimate.
 
Well its an internal wall basically the basement in question was an accident, The builders put it in instead of reading the plans right :P (this is in my mothers house but I already got permission from her),

I've no idea what the walls are made of, I just know that my old room (which is directly above the wall in question) is solid, and is only about 12' long, (with maybe a 7' ceiling? in the basement version). It happens to be in the part of Ireland where things such as building permits can be 'forgotten' and since the basement was an accident its not meant to exist, and getting in a structural engineer from the council might be a little bit dangerous, as far as I know they would have the right to fill in the basement unless I just get a local.

It does however have 3 windows, one in the kitchenette one in what will be the live room and one that will be the control room. I would assume the hall (the longest wall) would be the load bearing walls and they're not the ones I want to to mess about with so I'm half hoping for the best here :P
 
Simply "hoping for the best" can end in catastrophic failure down the road. Do the walls in question run parralell or perpendicular to the floor trusses....how about in relation to the rafters. Best to do your homework and be certain, than have problems in the future.
 
More to Consider here!

Hello GazEcc. For what it's worth, there is LOTS more to consider here. Like "soundproofing" for one. From what you've told us so far, it sounds like you are trying to make a Control Room and a Live room, by putting a Window/Cable chase in the partition wall that separates the two areas...no? Again, for what it's worth, without going into details, basically, if you are NOT considering "isolating" these two rooms from each other, at some point you will discover that any sound being produced in the "live room" will TRANSMIT though this wall/glass into your control room...EASILY. That is if it is a typical 2 leaf partition wall with standard drywall on both faces and 2x4 framing.

What this implies is this. When you are monitoring, you will NOT hear the truth, because the direct sound transmitting through your wall and any flanking paths, will COLOR the sound coming from your monitors. This in turn will cause you to make INCORRECT judgements of the levels, EQ, balance and other sonic decisions. This is the whole point of ISOLATING the two rooms from each other. And to do so...is NOT EASY nor cheap. The reason is ALL TRANSMISSION paths must be addressed. Like flanking OVER the wall, in the joist cavities, through any common HVAC ducts, structural transmission through the Joists themselves AND the common floor, just to name a few.

What I am trying to tell you here, is if you are SERIOUS about recording, you have a LOT to learn when it comes to modifying existing construction INTO TRANSMISSION LOSS ASSEMBLIES!!

I submit..just cutting a hole in a wall and slapping a window in there is a waste of time and money. Unless you are just "playing studio", don't want to do anything with your recordings and are simply doing this for fun. Even if so..I think you will be highly disappointed with your project once it comes time to actually record. I'm sorry if this rains on your parade...but that is the truth...like it or not. So, if you ARE interested in the CORRECT way to approach this project, I think you need to take some time and think about some things. Let me know what your thoughts are now and we can go from there


Truthfully
fitZ
 
What Fitz said.

It seems like a cool idea and all and will look cool but it won't sound cool unless you got $$$$ applied correctly.


lou
 
Well yes I'd like to be producing professional quality recordings, I want to eventually open a studio of my own. This is mostly a learning space tho,

I was thinking of just throwing up some rockwool squares (with some wood to give em shape) wrapped in felt to suck up the Spill and I was thinking for the Studio cable runner basically a box of rockwool... hmm hard to explain basically a 6'' x 6'' hole in the bottom corner (or near it) with about 3 inches from the wall in each room. and the same idea of felt on rockwool, surrounding the inside of the box and a lid / door on each side.

A bit strange but just my thought, I taught that a hole would leak the sound so that was my sketch idea.

Is there any good books I could google on transforming acoustic spaces?
 
Is there any good books I could google on transforming acoustic spaces?
Click to expand...

You betcha!:D


Amazon.com: Home Recording Studio Build it Like the Pros (Book) (0082039530345): Gervais Rod: Books


The author is a member here and a friend of mine. Second edition just released.

You won't be disappointed. It tells EVERYTHING related to making a home studio.

This is mostly a learning space tho,
Click to expand...
Well, ya can't learn how to mix CORRECTLY if your room lies to you, or sound is transmitting through the partition wall and masking the sound in the monitors. That is why building/treating your rooms correctly is important.
 
Oh, and btw, I had already finished 6 shots of a tutorial on how to do what you asked, when it dawned on me what I wrote. So, down the road, when you REALLY need help, don't be afraid to ask. :)

Here's one of the jpg's
 

Attachments

  • Remove Drywall 1.webp
    Remove Drywall 1.webp
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How bad are the carpenters over there if they are adding basements that were never in the original plan???

CMunch didn't build this house, did he???
 
Lol basically the house is on a hill they taught it was meant to be built into the hill.. they weren't the brightest gentlemen
 
Ah folks sorry to revive a dead thread but I worked out a cost effective solution to my problem without having to risk destroying the structural integrity of my mums house,

I have a tv that I was going to use as a computer monitor (its much bigger than a laptop screen) and just taught that I could use some cheap home CCTV camera's in the live room to monitor all the goings on in it leaving just the hole for cables (or alternatively a hole in the two doors nearly eliminating spill and not even devaluing the house.

Thoughts and criticisms welcome :)
 
What is the nature of needing to visually observe people record?
 
Basically, It makes more sense, "Wheres that feedback coming from? Oh, its Jim on guitar too close to the amp." or "Why can't I hear the snare mic anymore, oh wait he hit it off center with the snare" etc etc.
 
Find a carpenter. They would be able to do it no problem with the right saws.
 
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