Dual Theaters Sharing a wall

[Serj22]

So I'm moving into a place where I will basically have a mini-theater setup next to an earth-moving theater on the other side of the wall. The house was built in 1969 so I doubt there's much for insulation or anything. I have seen things saying I can mount another layer of sheet rock on top of the wall with silicone sealant inbetween, or foam, amongst other things.

What I'm looking for is maybe a way to insulate both theaters on that one wall in such a way that it will work for both sides, so that I only have to worry about 3 other walls. Also in this room, one of the walls is brick foundation since it is almost like a basement, will I need to soundproof this wall, or will the concrete suffice? I want to be able to sit in one room and not hear the other.

 

[jeanseb]

I had kind of the same issue with my theater (you can see my setup if you click the link on my signature). I have my bedroom right behind my theater.

What I did is that I built a double wall, insulated with "Roxul". It is working pretty well so far, but don't forget to change your door (if you have one) for a sealed soundproof one.

Good luck!

 

[Serj22]

...

What I did is that I built a double wall, insulated with "Roxul". It is working pretty well so far, but don't forget to change your door (if you have one) for a sealed soundproof one.

Good luck!

Now, as for a soundproof door, would that mean a fire door? Or one that just isn't hollow and then maybe weatherstripping around it? Nice theater btw. Those black walls give me an idea for my setup, though all my theater furniture is black, eh... I'll see when I get there.

Does the wall insulation keep the bass out as well? The subwoofer in the larger theater is near the wall I am sharing with it.

 

[jeanseb]

Now, as for a soundproof door, would that mean a fire door? Or one that just isn't hollow and then maybe weatherstripping around it? Nice theater btw. Those black walls give me an idea for my setup, though all my theater furniture is black, eh... I'll see when I get there.

Does the wall insulation keep the bass out as well? The subwoofer in the larger theater is near the wall I am sharing with it.

Thanks for the compliment!

Now, as for the door, if you go to Home Depot (or any home hardware store), ask for a sound proof door (they're filled with high pressure foam). They should have some in stock.

Yes It keeps the bass out (or in) pretty well too. Using 5/8 Fire Code drywall will help too.

Good Luck!

 

[jeanseb]

Nice theater btw. Those black walls give me an idea for my setup, though all my theater furniture is black, eh... I'll see when I get there.

The color is Farrow & Ball No.57 Off-Black (The B&W of paint!).

IMHO, I think your black furniture would look great with that color (my surrounds are black and it looks not so bad).

 

[Serj22]

where do you find Farrow and Ball? I really really really like that color. There's not a lot of places to buy paint here, and all I've seen is Benjamin Moore, Ace, Behr and I think that's it.

 

[jeanseb]

where do you find Farrow and Ball? I really really really like that color. There's not a lot of places to buy paint here, and all I've seen is Benjamin Moore, Ace, Behr and I think that's it.

It is indeed a beautiful color, really rich, classic and perfect for HT. Here's a link to F&B website. You should have one stockist near you.

I know that Benjamin Moore has the recipe the reproduce that color, but trust me, do make that 10$ mistake. I've learn it the hard way. Long story short, the color was bluer and 2-tones lighter. I had to repaint the room with the original paint. It cost me twice what I should have paid if I haven't try to save 10$...

 

[Ted White]

"Earth-moving" sounds substantial. Jeanseb has the right idea with the double wall. Assuming you have a single stud wall there now, you would remove the drywall on your side, exposing the insulation. Then come in an inch or more (more is definately better) and build a new stud wall. Insulate with whatever is on sale. R13 fiberglass works as well as anything. Finish off with double 5/8" drywall. Consider damping the drywall.

The door should be as heavy as possible. Solid core. Foam is light.

 

[Serj22]

Well it's not exactly earth moving, but the subwoofer being right next to the wall moves the entire room on the other side, and the whole upstairs of the house. So I'm looking to not only contain the sound in that room, but also keep it out of the room next to it specifically. The large room is not exactly "enclosed" It has 3 walls, then at the back of the room is a joined hallway that runs the width of the house, which I'm assuming I'll have to do something with, or figure out a way to enclose the room, though I like the "openess" of it.

 

[BudgetHT]

A double layer wall isn't going to you any good(5/8 on 5/8) The sound will travel through the screws. You'll need to use sound board and/or RC channel before the layer of drywall goes on.
Your best bet is to strip the rock off one side of the wall and build a "party wall"(staggered studs) and insulate both sides with an R-11 or R-13. Put on the RC channel and a layer of 5/8 over that. That will eliminate most of the sound coming through that wall.
You could use Quiet Rock from Quiet solutions. They make a THX rated sound board, but it's very costly.

 

[Serj22]

A double layer wall isn't going to you any good(5/8 on 5/8) The sound will travel through the screws. You'll need to use sound board and/or RC channel before the layer of drywall goes on.
Your best bet is to strip the rock off one side of the wall and build a "party wall"(staggered studs) and insulate both sides with an R-11 or R-13. Put on the RC channel and a layer of 5/8 over that. That will eliminate most of the sound coming through that wall.
You could use Quiet Rock from Quiet solutions. They make a THX rated sound board, but it's very costly.

I understood everything else you said, but what is RC channel?

 

[BudgetHT]

It's a steel channel you run perpendicular to the studs. It has a leg or edge on one side you screw to the studs and it causes the drywall to float off the wall. You attach the drywall to the RC channel not the studs. This way it creates an air cavity and takes the vibration out of the wall. Sort of like a drywall shock absorber.
www.awardmetals.com/PDF/RChannelSubmittalSheet.pdf

 

[jeanseb]

You could always pour a 12" concrete wall... You got to stop at one point...

 

[Serj22]

Interesting, never knew there was a way to move the wall off the studs. I will look into that as well. I'm really just open to anything. Pouring concrete I'm not sure on that one... my other question, is will the brick wall be an issue? I assume since it's concrete that it will resist a lot of vibration, but what about sound? Should I cover it with something? Basically the room is 20X14 and I'm putting the screen up against the outside wall of the house covering half of a sliding glass door which is going to have some MDF inserts on the outside that can be removed.

THis is the basic idea, the room on the right is the one I'm worried about. The layout of it is not final, and may or may not have a bed in there. Also this is a crude floor plan of what I'm talking about of the downstairs layout.

 

[BudgetHT]

The wall that splits the two rooms is obviously the one you're concerned about?
The side of the wall in the larger space that has the fireplace, desk, couch, and sub is the side I would strip the sheet rock off. Batt the wall with an R-11/R-13, run the RC channel, and rock that wall with a layer of 5/8. That will kill the majority of the sound coming through that wall.
Just check with your local drywall supply house. They'll steer you in right direction.

 

[BudgetHT]

Here's another link with some good info.
http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/channel.htm

 

[Serj22]

So I would dampen the side on the inside of the larger theater room? Seems logical, but then also, as you can see with my drawing, the theater has that attached hallway, so will i need to do anything to the oil heater closet or the hallway itself? Also that large space inbetween the two rooms is of concern because I have no idea what's in there, I assume a large support for the rest of the house. Should I double-up the closet on the smaller room as well, or will the wall on the other side be sufficient? We're putting fabric on that wall that came from a movie theater anyway, so we're going to be tearing into that wall pretty good already, so I might as well do what you guys suggested while we're at it. I was also thinking about building a bar that connected to the wall where the desk is now, and moving the desk out into the hallway.

 

[BudgetHT]

The area that's open between the hall and larger room will obviously have to have a sound door on it, but as far as the oil heater/fireplace area goes you may be stuck with sound deadening that area without heavy renovation. If that wall is a main support wall you're better off getting a contractor in there to check it out before you get into that wall or it could be disastrous.

 

[Serj22]

The area that's open between the hall and larger room will obviously have to have a sound door on it, but as far as the oil heater/fireplace area goes you may be stuck with sound deadening that area without heavy renovation. If that wall is a main support wall you're better off getting a contractor in there to check it out before you get into that wall or it could be disastrous.

YEah I could knock the house down. Don't want to be doing that. This is helping me a lot btw. Another thing I want to know is, if you look at my drawing, at the far end of the main theater there are two windows on each side as it extends off the house in a peninsula fashion to hold up the upper balcony deck. Will I have an issue of the sound going outside the window, then transferring to the car wall of the smaller room, say though the corners or anything?

Also, I'd like to talk floor. First backround. This is my friend and my joint house that we are sharing, him and his wife live there, and now me and my wife will too. (big freaking house) anyway, he already set up his huge theater in the large room and we're having ours in the smaller room. (it makes sense). I'm trying to convince him to let me lay out better flooring but he's moaning cause he'll have to move the couches out blah blah blah. The reason I want to put in a better floor is because the floor is... cement. With crappy carpet layed over it that is about 1/4" thick and it's ugly. Can I make an argument of how bad a concrete floor is for a theater... or is it a good thing?

 

[BudgetHT]

Most theaters have concrete floors so a good pad and carpet should suffice, but if you want get crazy do a google search for a product from "dodge regupol", but be prepared for $$$ shock. I sold some to an outfit here that was redoing all the flooring in the area dams. Huge dollars spent.
As far as the windows go? Yes, sound will travel through them. Any where air can go sound will follow.
I have a friend who is building a sound studio and and a small recording room and the ventilation system is driving him nuts because he wants zero sound transmission.