Blocking Loud noise form outside, materials and methods(?)

[phangeaux]

I originally wrote this post while I was really burnt out and tired. I have been on the web constantly for months learning about recording and trying to get equipment together etc. FINALLY I have everything I need now and can relax for awhile. I needed to cvome and edit these two posts because they are a bit off from technical reality etc.
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I have a sliding glass door and a window that face the street.? Common traffic is noisy enough to require some sound insulation measures,? but there is also a bus stop directly in front and city buses make ALOT of noise when they take off from a stop.

I found some FREE acoustic ceiling tiles, the suspended ceiling type, 2 ft. by 4 ft. panels. I haven't picked them up yet.? I was going to suggest these in a different topic.? In cities they are pretty easy to find for FREE on commercial construction remodel jobs.? Occasionally I have seen dumpsters full of them.

Update: I picked up these acoustic panels. they are the standard wood fiber type, 5/8 inch thick with maybe some perlite (expanded volcanic ash) added for fire resistance, probably some chemicals too. I didn't find the actual formulation for these. Their acoustic absorption coefficient is .50-.60, and I think (if I recall) that 703 fiberglass panels have an absorption coefficient of .60-.70. This rating is (in simple terms) the approximate percentage of sound that is absorbed.

I also noticed another acoustic rating on Ceiling panels and that is CAC, which I think stands for Ceiling Acoustic Coefficient and unlike the other rating this is for BLOCKING or reflecting sound. So we are dealing with two different things here, blocking sound in one case and absorbing sound in another case. In my case I need to block sound from outside. The easy way may be just to get some rigid 4ft. by 8 ft insulation panels, either extruded or expanded polystyrene (extruded is the smooth surface kind, 5 lb density that comes in different colors depending upon who manufactures it. This is much less messy than the 1 lb density white expanded polystyrene aka bead board. Thats the kind that is the same as used in packaging aplications and makes a meess when cutting it etc. BTW, polystyrene of either type is cut with an electric HOT WIRE which is easy to make). The other insulation options would be other types of rigid insulation with craft paper or aluminum facers. I can get a good deal on those from left overs at commercial roofing companies.

The ceiling tiles I have are soft and will not take much abuse. I was thingking that I could fasten them, mechanically with some screws and plates (or with suitable adhesive) to a thin layer of plywood or pegboard to make a panel of a specific size. I may have to cover these with a fabric because they are susceptable to damage and crumling on the corners etc.

These are relatively expensive to buy new. I have two bundles and 8 pieces each, 64 sq. feet per bundle. They cost something like $30+ dollar range per bundle maybe more.

I am going to make some panels - an insert panel to block my window and I am getting some free plastic window shutters to cover it, (make it look better installed inside or outside and if I decide to install them outside it will at least look like a window (closed shutters).

In the lving room which will very likely end up being my recording studio area.? I have a large sliding glass door facing the street and buss stop.? The noise from outside can really be bad at times. I was hoping to find some free cubicle dividers as used in office buildings.? They are usually designed? for sound attenuation and may work quite well to block the big glass door.? I can always modify them. I see those for free once in awhile and next time I will grab some.

OTHERWISE the rigid insulation panels to cover the sliding glass door and the whole front wall facing the street for that matter, sound like the best idea.

I will see if I can find any acoustic specs on those types of insulation.

Normally aesthetics are important.? I am not overly concerned with that but it is an important consideration for most people if they are doing this in their living room. (to me it is just a studio)

[phangeaux]

I know that the simple answer to all of this is "Whatever Works"?

This is a revision of a post I made. I just deleted the whole thing because it was pretty much irrelevent.

[phangeaux]

HEY, here is an online course on acoustics that I just found. I haven't gone through it yet. This will take you to the start page:

http://www.kemt.fei.tuke.sk/Predmety..._on_Acoustics/