Covering windows: MDF or 703 for better sound reduction?

[Hellenason7]

I've read all the informative posts. Thanks! I'm going to try
completely covering my three large windows, in the hopes of reducing the amount
of sound escaping into my yard and into the neighbors' ears.
Would I be better off covering the windows with MDF or Owens Corning
703 insulation sheets? As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
sound barrier, to some extent. The 703 would absorb the sound to some extent.
I'm not sure which would result in fewer db's escaping through the windows, but
I suspect it would be the MDF, since it is so much denser than the 703.
Any input is greatly appreciated! I'd like to buy and install
whichever choice this weekend. I plan to have it cut to cover the recessed
window openings, fastening it to the wall with about 2" to spare on all sides
of the window sills.
Thanks!

[WillStG]

<< (Hellenason7) >>
<< Would I be better off covering the windows with MDF or Owens Corning
703 insulation sheets? As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
sound barrier, to some extent. The 703 would absorb the sound to some extent.
I'm not sure which would result in fewer db's escaping through the windows, but
I suspect it would be the MDF, since it is so much denser than the 703.
Any input is greatly appreciated! I'd like to buy and install
whichever choice this weekend. I plan to have it cut to cover the recessed
window openings, fastening it to the wall with about 2" to spare on all sides
of the window sills. >>

You need mass to stop sound from getting in and out, and a good seal.
703 is more for making the room sound good inside. I once built floating
walls/ aroom in a room with 2"x8" frames around the windows, and then built
heavy gobo type 3'x 6' boxes with handles to fit in them, stuffed full with
sand filled fiberglass insulation. Shoved tightly into the frame up against an
inner lip with rubber lining around it that gave a tight seal, heavy mass, it
shut out the noise in midtown Manhattan pretty well actually. And I could
pull them out by the handles when I wanted sunlight too.

I wonder if this might have been better though. Might have cost more, I
dunno.

http://www.soundproofwindows.com/product_overview.html


Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[WillStG]

<< (Hellenason7) >>
<< Would I be better off covering the windows with MDF or Owens Corning
703 insulation sheets? As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
sound barrier, to some extent. The 703 would absorb the sound to some extent.
I'm not sure which would result in fewer db's escaping through the windows, but
I suspect it would be the MDF, since it is so much denser than the 703.
Any input is greatly appreciated! I'd like to buy and install
whichever choice this weekend. I plan to have it cut to cover the recessed
window openings, fastening it to the wall with about 2" to spare on all sides
of the window sills. >>

You need mass to stop sound from getting in and out, and a good seal.
703 is more for making the room sound good inside. I once built floating
walls/ aroom in a room with 2"x8" frames around the windows, and then built
heavy gobo type 3'x 6' boxes with handles to fit in them, stuffed full with
sand filled fiberglass insulation. Shoved tightly into the frame up against an
inner lip with rubber lining around it that gave a tight seal, heavy mass, it
shut out the noise in midtown Manhattan pretty well actually. And I could
pull them out by the handles when I wanted sunlight too.

I wonder if this might have been better though. Might have cost more, I
dunno.

http://www.soundproofwindows.com/product_overview.html


Will Miho
NY Music & TV Audio Guy
Off the Morning Show! & sleepin' In... / Fox News
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away..." Tom Waits

[Yuri T.]

One thing that worked great for me in a basement. These were the small
windows that are at ground level at the exterior and at the top of the
walls in the basement built into the cinder block foundation. I filled
the area in front of the glas resting on the brick with sand bags.
Then covered with drywall. Obviously this won't work for other types
of windows.


(Hellenason7) wrote in message >...
> I've read all the informative posts. Thanks! I'm going to try
> completely covering my three large windows, in the hopes of reducing the amount
> of sound escaping into my yard and into the neighbors' ears.
> Would I be better off covering the windows with MDF or Owens Corning
> 703 insulation sheets? As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
> sound barrier, to some extent. The 703 would absorb the sound to some extent.
> I'm not sure which would result in fewer db's escaping through the windows, but
> I suspect it would be the MDF, since it is so much denser than the 703.
> Any input is greatly appreciated! I'd like to buy and install
> whichever choice this weekend. I plan to have it cut to cover the recessed
> window openings, fastening it to the wall with about 2" to spare on all sides
> of the window sills.
> Thanks!

[Yuri T.]

One thing that worked great for me in a basement. These were the small
windows that are at ground level at the exterior and at the top of the
walls in the basement built into the cinder block foundation. I filled
the area in front of the glas resting on the brick with sand bags.
Then covered with drywall. Obviously this won't work for other types
of windows.


(Hellenason7) wrote in message >...
> I've read all the informative posts. Thanks! I'm going to try
> completely covering my three large windows, in the hopes of reducing the amount
> of sound escaping into my yard and into the neighbors' ears.
> Would I be better off covering the windows with MDF or Owens Corning
> 703 insulation sheets? As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
> sound barrier, to some extent. The 703 would absorb the sound to some extent.
> I'm not sure which would result in fewer db's escaping through the windows, but
> I suspect it would be the MDF, since it is so much denser than the 703.
> Any input is greatly appreciated! I'd like to buy and install
> whichever choice this weekend. I plan to have it cut to cover the recessed
> window openings, fastening it to the wall with about 2" to spare on all sides
> of the window sills.
> Thanks!

[ScotFraser]

<< As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
sound barrier, to some extent. >><BR><BR>

It's a sound barrier to a very large extent, but you'll have to get a very
tight seal around the edges to get the benefits. If you're into building stuff,
make a sandwich of the MDF & a layer of backer board, which is extremely dense.

Scott Fraser

[ScotFraser]

<< As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
sound barrier, to some extent. >><BR><BR>

It's a sound barrier to a very large extent, but you'll have to get a very
tight seal around the edges to get the benefits. If you're into building stuff,
make a sandwich of the MDF & a layer of backer board, which is extremely dense.

Scott Fraser

[agent86]

ScotFraser wrote:

> << As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
> sound barrier, to some extent. >><BR><BR>
>
> It's a sound barrier to a very large extent, but you'll have to get a very
> tight seal around the edges to get the benefits. If you're into building
> stuff, make a sandwich of the MDF & a layer of backer board, which is
> extremely dense.

And get yourself a really good back support & some friends to help, 'cause
that stuff (both) is HEAVY!. Another advantage of backer board for
basement studios is that it is pretty much impervious to moisture.

[agent86]

ScotFraser wrote:

> << As I understand it, the mass of the MDF board is a
> sound barrier, to some extent. >><BR><BR>
>
> It's a sound barrier to a very large extent, but you'll have to get a very
> tight seal around the edges to get the benefits. If you're into building
> stuff, make a sandwich of the MDF & a layer of backer board, which is
> extremely dense.

And get yourself a really good back support & some friends to help, 'cause
that stuff (both) is HEAVY!. Another advantage of backer board for
basement studios is that it is pretty much impervious to moisture.