outside windows

[Firsthand]

Hi!

I want to use a spare room for recording instruments and vocals.
The problem is there are 2 windows to the outside of the house,
What should i do to proper shield them against sound leaking out?

The room will have a floating floor and free standing walls.

Thanks!

Ferry

 

[Todzilla]

Ferry,

Do I understand by "free standing walls" that you're building a room within a room? If so, that will go a long way toward sound proofing. Make sure you read the F. Alton Everest texts on Acoustic Design. or the Paul White series.

Depending on your budget and willingness to make pemanent fixtures to your space, you could install heavy window plugs that essentially seal off your window with a couple thick sheets of dense material like plywood or particle board. The resulting void could be filled with rockwool, or the like.

Of course, if you are going to screw in these big window plugs, you're getting close to the effort of removing the window, framing the space and putting a wall over it.

My experience with soundproofing is that you have to approach the project from a holistic point of view. That is, you have to look at the entire room and it's relationship with the rest of the structure before embarking on a task that could take lots of money and leave you with very little in return.

Check out those texts I mentioned.

Good Luck!

 

[Firsthand]

Yes the design is a room within a room...

I have good experience with studio building, only i never caught in a situation where to soundproof existing windows.


It is a rental house, so removing the windows is no option

Regards,
Ferry

 

[RICK FITZPATRICK]

Your building a room in a room in a RENTAL? Good luck.....your gonna need it. Especially when you have to tear it out. Not impossible, but.....lets say ah...nevermind.
Think wall modules. Sealing the panels is your big problem. At least for removal later. What are you using for panels, sheetrock...MDF....Ply? Good construction practice, at least for studio building is caulking EVERYTHING. But once you do, the only way do tear it apart, is destructiive. Are you sure this is worth it? Do you have a lease. How bout HVAC? Once you soundproof, you airproof Hmmmm, are you talking about a vocal booth or actual room in-a room? If so, what is the existing floor made of. A soundproof room is HEAVY. Second floor joists are not designed for this kind of load. Neither are first floor wood joists. I mean, most will handle it to a point. But I've seen crappy rentals with 2x4 joists resting on bricks and the ground. Duncehead builders.
Well, I've said enough. I'd think twice about going to this extreme in a rental though. Unless you have the money to throw away.
fitZ.