Re: wall construction for my HT room???

When constucting my walls for my HT room, I was planning to go with 16" centers, how much of a difference would it make if I went to 12" centers? Will 16" centers be sufficient? Thanx!

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>16" centers is fine. The only reason to go with 12" centers is if you are going to apply many layers of sheetrock (to reduce sound transmission) and need the added mounting points. </DIV>

I agree, 12" oc. won't make a bit of difference in sound transmission class (STC). If you are going with traditional stud framing, i would recommend using 3" sound batt insulation, seal the joints at the base of the drywall (by floor) with acoustical sealant and if you can afford it use 2 layers 5/8" drywall applied to each side of the wall. this will give you an STC of about 50 (which is pretty good). Be sure you stagger your wall receptacle boxes too- otherwise sound will travel right through them. <BR><BR>Do a search on the web for STC and you'll find different wall construction types. <BR><BR>Hope this helps.

[jstwong]

If you have the space to afford a deeper wall, you can also go with a staggered stud configuration, so that the drywall on wall side of the wall is not attached to the same studs as the drywall on the other side. This will help to lower the transmission of vibration from one side to the other.

[Phatbass]

do double drywall with Mr. Wongs idea and you will have almost no sound transmition, even better add that thick rubber gym flooring that Hot Monkey uses. Your room wouldn't transmit any sound through that wall.

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>Actually, the original poster didn't ask about sound transmission reduction at all. I am not sure what he thought would be accomplished by narrowing the gap between studs. </DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>This stuff lows rubber mats out of the water a hundred times over:</DIV><BR>
<DIV><A href="http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SheetBlok430/">http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SheetBlok430/</A></DIV><BR>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV><BR>
<DIV>I've used it and similar products in recording studios and the results are pretty staggering. </DIV>

Wow! That sheet block is expensive! it would cost over $1000 to do my room, do you have any suggestions for a cheaper alternative? I saw on another post someone used roofing paper, which seemed strange to me. I was planning on going with one layer of 1/4 inch MDF particle board then a layer of drywall. I will also have a "room within a room" by staggering my wall studs. Thanx for the help guys! <BR><BR>P.S. I love the forum, I just wish i could get registered!!!!

[crazyoldfart]

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<DIV>MDF + Drywall will work extremely well, assumng you completely seal the joints with caulking. </DIV><BR>
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<DIV>However, you need to check that using MDF is not violation of fire codes in your area. When it gets hot enough, it burns very rapidly. </DIV>