Owens Corning Fiberglass Acoustic Insulation

[matthewah]

So I was thinking about DIY acoustic panels for a gym and how they would need to be "high impact panels" for various activities in a gym. I was wondering if anyone has ever made panels by using Owens Corning Fiberglass Acoustic Insulation (http://insulation.owenscorning.ca/pr...quietzone.aspx), framing it, and then using something like chain link fencing over it to make it impact resistant?

[cmchamp]

There's nothing wrong, other than code questions in public spaces, but more importantly, what are you trying to solve.
Absorption isn't the only answer, but unfortunately the one people seem to rush too the most.
C.

[Brad Weber]

That may also depend on what you consider 'impact resistant'. The potential issue with something like chain link fence is two fold. If you have no covering over the the panel then it seems very easy for people to start pulling out the insulation. And if you have a covering material over the fencing then while the fencing may help with basketballs and such hitting the panels, a sharper object can easily penetrate the covering between the links. That is why most commercial impact resistant panels use a perforated or denser substrate that provides a more continuous barrier.

If you did try something with a chain link fence covering, or even for DIY panels in general, you might want to look at something more like a 3 pound per cubic foot fiberglass or mineral wool board material than a less dense batt material. An impact resistant panel may also have a denser fiberglass or mineral wool layer over a batt lower density board layer.

[matthewah]

The plan would be to put fabric over the panels so you couldn't see the insulation and fencing. The panel's bottom would be not less than 10 feet up the wall so people wouldn't be able to touch it.

[cmchamp]

Again, what sound issues are you attempting to correct?

[matthewah]

Large amounts of reverb. About a 4 second decay time. And I know you're going to recommend diffusers as well.

[cmchamp]

Yes, but more importantly, you'll need to address the LF issues that will be exposed from so much MF/HF absorption.

[matthewah]

Was planning on the LF's too. Will be doing some thicker stuff in the corners.

[cmchamp]

"Thicker stuff" doesn't necessarily equate to LF absorption. 11' depth of "stuff" may be required to attenuate 100Hz.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by cmchamp

"Thicker stuff" doesn't necessarily equate to LF absorption. 11' depth of "stuff" may be required to attenuate 100Hz.

Well, you can get significant absorption with less depth than that as 1/4 wavelength at 100Hz is 2.75' or 33" but that is indeed still much more than the common 1" to 2" thick wall panels.