Room treatment materials - options to rockwool

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Chipotle

Any except the Safe'n'Sound often needs to be procured from a commercial supply house, or ordered from an acoustical dealer like Acoustimac or GIK, and shipping can bite you.

It appears Rockwool 80 is available at Lowes but one would have to check availability for delivery to their specific local store

https://www.lowes.com/pd/ROCKWOOL-Co...n-L/1000339775

[broy]

Hi Folks - locally I can get rockwool 80 in 1 1/2 thick panels...

If I put 2 panels together to make it 3 in. thick is that fine, or does it really have to start out as a 3 inch panel to work for acoustic purposes?

Rgds - Bill Roy

[runamuck]

Originally Posted by broy

Hi Folks - locally I can get rockwool 80 in 1 1/2 thick panels...

If I put 2 panels together to make it 3 in. thick is that fine, or does it really have to start out as a 3 inch panel to work for acoustic purposes?

Rgds - Bill Roy

Yeah, that's fine.

[broy]

Hi,

Is Rockwool 80 the same as Rockwool comfortboard 80?

Rgds - Bill


Rockwool 80: https://www.acoustimac.com/roxul-rb8-2in
Rockwool Comfortboard 80: https://www.lowes.com/pd/ROCKWOOL-Co...n-L/1000339775

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by broy

Hi,

Is Rockwool 80 the same as Rockwool comfortboard 80?

Rgds - Bill


Rockwool 80: https://www.acoustimac.com/roxul-rb8-2in
Rockwool Comfortboard 80: https://www.lowes.com/pd/ROCKWOOL-Co...n-L/1000339775

I’m in Canada, have easy local access to the Comfortboard version and have been wondering the same thing.

[Acousticado]

I wrote to Rockwool and this is their reply. Note the link to the simply designed DIY panels.

Typical options are either COMFORTBOARD™80 or ROCKBOARD® options to create your own acoustic panels. Note that they are 2 x 4 board dimensions.

Acoustic panels would assist in reducing the intensity of sound within a space. If this is for acoustic panels.

COMFORTBOARD™ 80 would be the higher density option.

Here is a helpful video by Scott McGillivray regarding acoustic panels using ROCKWOOL: DIY Acoustic Panels.

The acoustic performance testing can be viewed at the following product information link ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 Technical Data Sheet, it also details the sizes and dimensions available.

ROCKBOARD® 40 / 60
ROCKWOOL ROCKBOARD® 40 Technical Data Sheet
ROCKWOOL ROCKBOARD® 60 Technical Data Sheet

In theory you could use the batt options, note however that Comfortbatt® is not tested for NRC ratings.

While some of our products are designed specifically around acoustics, all our products will contribute to the acoustic performance.

You can use Comfortbatt® as an option for acoustics.

I hope this information helps.

[broy]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

I wrote to Rockwool and this is their reply. Note the link to the simply designed DIY panels.

Typical options are either COMFORTBOARD™80 or ROCKBOARD® options to create your own acoustic panels. Note that they are 2 x 4 board dimensions.

Acoustic panels would assist in reducing the intensity of sound within a space. If this is for acoustic panels.

COMFORTBOARD™ 80 would be the higher density option.

Here is a helpful video by Scott McGillivray regarding acoustic panels using ROCKWOOL: DIY Acoustic Panels.

The acoustic performance testing can be viewed at the following product information link ROCKWOOL Comfortboard® 80 Technical Data Sheet, it also details the sizes and dimensions available.

ROCKBOARD® 40 / 60
ROCKWOOL ROCKBOARD® 40 Technical Data Sheet
ROCKWOOL ROCKBOARD® 60 Technical Data Sheet

In theory you could use the batt options, note however that Comfortbatt® is not tested for NRC ratings.

While some of our products are designed specifically around acoustics, all our products will contribute to the acoustic performance.

You can use Comfortbatt® as an option for acoustics.

I hope this information helps.

Thank you for this, good information!

I was all set to pull the trigger on the Comfortboard 80 and found out for where I live Comfortboard 80 is only available if you order 20 bundles (4 pieces of 24 x 48 1.5 in batts).... so my mind is kind of made up for me. https://www.acoustimac.com/roxul-rb8...hoCejQQAvD_BwE

Regardless, seems like either will work for what I'm doing, so if I was someone looking, I would go for what was available to me.

[b1j]

I wish Rockwool would be more explicit about their product line. Based on the YouTube videos I happened to come upon, I decided to use Safe N Sound 3" thick batts, about 2' x 4'. I saw YouTubers use it and liked the before and after effect they recorded.

Have I missed out on something like this Comfortboard 80 or similar products? I'm literally on the step of dropping the batts into the frames and wrapping them in muslin. If I'm going to change absorption material, now would be the time.

But I wish Rockwool would step in and advise. They must know people make sound absorption panels with their product. Maybe that market is so small it doesn't merit a product manager over there.

[Chipotle]

I think Comfortboard usually doesn't get as much play in audio applications because it borders on too dense. You have to find the line... not dense enough won't dampen any sound waves; too dense risks reflecting them back. I found a brief thread on it over at GearSpace.

You can second-guess yourself forever, though. Regardless, if you're using insulation that has sound-dampening properties, you'll see an improvement! Carry on.

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by broy

Thank you for this, good information!

I was all set to pull the trigger on the Comfortboard 80 and found out for where I live Comfortboard 80 is only available if you order 20 bundles (4 pieces of 24 x 48 1.5 in batts).... so my mind is kind of made up for me. https://www.acoustimac.com/roxul-rb8...hoCejQQAvD_BwE

Regardless, seems like either will work for what I'm doing, so if I was someone looking, I would go for what was available to me.

I’m in the Ottawa area and my local Home Depot currently has 40 bundles of the Comfortboard 80 with no indication of having to buy more than one. I’ll need 3-4.

[kurth]

How about alternative diy materials for those of us who don't have a Lowes or Home Depot to shop?How about sawdust? Hard packed into a frame with a cardboard facade ? Or even thick paper panels made from dissolved and molded newspapers?

Also I have a question about rockwool. If it's going on the wall, why the frame? why not a pillowcase ? thanks

[Acousticado]

Originally Posted by kurth

How about alternative diy materials for those of us who don't have a Lowes or Home Depot to shop?How about sawdust? Hard packed into a frame with a cardboard facade ? Or even thick paper panels made from dissolved and molded newspapers?

Also I have a question about rockwool. If it's going on the wall, why the frame? why not a pillowcase ? thanks

Depending on the finish you want, it seems you may be able to get away without a frame with the Comfortboard 80 which are rigid, but not the Safe’n’Sound batts.

[kurth]

Originally Posted by Acousticado

Depending on the finish you want, it seems you may be able to get away without a frame with the Comfortboard 80 which are rigid, but not the Safe’n’Sound batts.

Why not if they're hanging on a wall ? I'm assuming the frame itself has close to zero acoustic properties.Wouldn't a giant pillowcase-like cover with the mat'l sewn inside be sufficient ? thanks

[b1j]

Safe N Sound will crumble if bent or squeezed. The best bet with it is a rigid frame. I could stop with a muslin stapled around the lightweight inner frame, but I’ll be moving mine around, so the muslin will pick up dirt and risk fraying, hence the outer frame.

[AcousticDreams]

According to my Gik acoustics consultant, the viewpoint on rigid materials have slightly changed. Claiming that too rigid will reflect frequencies instead of absorbing them. So they now prefer a newer materials that are less dense but still absorb in the same manner.

Maybe it is just marketing..or the price point difference...but they are using Knauf 1.6 pound over the Knauf 3 pound. Claiming to only carry the 3 pound because as a dealer they are required to. But in their tests...they would rather stack up a couple of 1.6 pounds.

More dense, might be better for isolation though. If you are wanting to build structure that keeps out sound...denser would keep sound from getting in.

I too would sure like to know the absolute skinny on this subject matter. As rigid Frameless panels are much easier to move around. But in reality...my wood framed panels are not that heavy.