Sound Proofing - Product Question

[punkin]

I was at a person's house yesterday who was telling everyone about his new home theater...he did the work himself and converted his basement for this purpose. He told me that the work he did included both some acoustic quality treatments sound proofing (I guess he likes to turn things up a bit). Anyway, I had a chance to check it out.

The room really does sound nice and neutral but the sound proofing was impressive. He tells me that asside from the usual double layers of high density insulation he also treated the walls and ceiling with rubber pond liner..."this stuff is cheap" he tells me as compared to the usual studio recommended products. Then to finish the walls and ceiling, he applied a very very low pile indoor/outdoor grey carpet with color contrasting auralex and bass traps in the corners. Now, when you think carpet...I know...sounds cheezey but the color and the decor really look first rate and like I said before, the room sounds great.

My question is this; should there be a concern with this choice in materials? I understand that some butyl rubber products(spelling?) out gas over time...and what if there were a fire? Are these risks more or the same as using the higher dollar usual products?

Thanks

 

[Rod Gervais]

I have no way of knowing whether the addition of the rubber pond liner was worth anything in his scheme of things or not - he may have had a brainstorm - or he might have thrown his money away.......

Without knowing everything about his construction - and exactly what his real isolation value is - it's impossible for me (or anyone else) to evaluate.

As far as the carpet goes - if it's Berber carpet I suppose it's OK if it works - however - Berber (to the best of my knowledge) is the ONLY carpet which is rated and tested AND APPROVED for use as a wall covering - anything else is a death trap waiting for a victim.

Rod

 

[punkin]

Thanks for the response...any thoughts on the safety aspect of the rubber used?


sjl

 

[Rod Gervais]

Thanks for the response...any thoughts on the safety aspect of the rubber used?

If the rubber was applied in between sheets of drywall - then i would say it's no issue - if however it was applied on top of the drywall (which as i re-read your post it appears it might have been - and i missed that earlier) then my guess is that he has a death wish and he just doesn't realize it yet.

There is no way that material is safe for installation as a finished product.

This info (for example) is on a typical pond liner from a well known manufacturer:

FIRESTONE BUILDING PRODUCTS COMPANY
Material Safety Data Sheet
Product: Geomembrane EPDM Series
July 30, 2002 Page 1 of 4
SECTION 1: PRODUCT AND COMPANY IDENTIFICATION
Product Name: Geomembrane EPDM Series
Chemical Name / Synonym: Cured rubber material, Standard membrane, Pond Liner.
Manufacturers Name: Firestone Building Products Company
Manufacturers Address: 525 Congressional Blvd., Carmel, IN 46032, USA
Manufacturers Phone: + 1 317 575 70 00
Manufacturers Fax: + 1 317 575 71 00

SECTION 5: FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
Suitable Extinguishing Media: Carbon Dioxide, foam, sand/earth or dry chemicals.

Recommended Fire Fighting Procedures: Wear impermeable protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.

Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Sulphur Dioxide, partially burned Carbon.

Unusual Fire and Explosion Hazards: Toxic fumes and vapours may be evolved. Oil “bleeds” from material when burning.

Certainly not anything I would want on the surface of my walls.

Rod

 

[c7sus]

All the guy needs now is to have Great White over for a pyro show.