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Advice on dedicated room

Hi everyone ,

I am going to start building my dedicated listening room in the basement soon and need some input. My ceiling is just under 8’ so would 2x4s be adequate for strength or would 2x6 be better? Second , I read an article where Robert Harley was building a new room and used the ISO wall system from acoustic sciences and was wondering if anyone here has used it and liked it. I will at the least use 2 layers of drywall and green glue. Lastly my space available is 15’x16 1/2’. I know that is too square and I can shorten the 15’ direction if needed but if we’re to put a 45 degree angle on two corners ( one corner is needed for access to another area) would that negate the “too square” aspect? Thanks for your input 
ronboco

Showing 2 responses by bkeske

bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,593 posts
 
I agree. Simply ‘throwing in’ insulation (blown-in cellulose may be better), or even ‘sound batt’, may not accomplish a goal for sound transmission or treatment. That is a science all to itself. Resilient channels, green glue, etc. are things often thrown out without any science backing up their use. And you may still need sound treatment on the drywall itself, regardless.

I'm not an expert in acoustical treatments, and a professional who is should be consulted if that is a goal in installing a suspended ceiling.
bkeske's avatar
bkeske
5,593 posts
 

It depends on the span of the 2x’s. I’m in the residential architectural design/build biz.


I assume you want to install a ceiling below the floor joists above and finish with 1/2” drywall. A ceiling without any storage load should be designed to support 15 LB per ft total load, (dead and live). Two layers of drywall will increase the span weight. Keep that in mind.


In general:


2x4 SPF #2 (standard stud grade lumber) can ‘free’ span about 10’-9” @ 16” o.c. (Single layer drywall).


2x6 SPF #2 can ‘free’ span about 16’-11” at 16” o.c.


Now, you can also secure the 2x ceiling joist to the floor joists above to help ‘reduce’ the overall span weight, but utilize the similar spans as above. In other words, if you want to span 20’ overall, then provide mid-span support from the floor joists above, making the effective span 10’.


Now, here is the deal, buying 2x4’s longer than plate stock, (14’ lengths), will not be easy to find, at all. Even good 2x6’s longer than 18’ will not be easy to find.


Feel free to contact me via message if you need more help.


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