Wooden blinds vs cellular shades for acoustics


Standard old school advice for large window acoustical treatment seems to be "heavy draperies". Some cellular shades (Hunter Douglas, Bali) have high factory-rated NRC (0.60 or better). That's about the same for what little I've found for draperies.

Recently, I heard that partially-open wooden blinds are best for acoustics, acting through diffusion, rather than absorption. Opinions? Experiences?

Thanks
leeofb

Showing 2 responses by chashas1

Hi
I've treated my main picture window and smaller sides with wood shutters,(solid, no slats). Made a huge difference over blinds or drapes. I bought unfinished ones from Lowes, staind them to match my other wood surfaces, then treated them with larch resin to try and give them the best reflective surface I could find, sonically much better than regular poly. It's great. Look up mother of tone website and you'll see what I'm talking about. You can get the varnish from Sinopia. Also, since glass is not our sonic friend, I'm using Marigo dots on the windows, and it is a fantastic tweek. That might interest you as well. Good luck. If you really want to make your room sound great, it's worth it.
Hi again, yes, the dynamat is a very cheap alternative to the marigo dots...it did work on my windows. I bought mine off ebay, cut it into 2" circles, and placed it an inch out from the corners in every corner. It works. The Marigo's do a much better job, don't ask me how, you should call the Marigo guy, he's doing great business, he seems to have hit on a very successful product. plus, money back guarantee. look at his website, or check the review on 6moons. I still have skeptical friends,(who have issues in general) but me and my friends with ears are totally sold. I would think it's a much better alternative either way than getting new windows. I did, but not because of that, replaced 110 yr old ones with new ones, and the dots improved the new glass as well. If you like your glass, its sealing properties and all, just get dots.