Glasswool or Rockwool ?? for acoustic treatment. help urgently.. - Harmony Central Musician Community Forums

Praashekh · 11-03-2009, 12:48 PM

Hi, Im making some DIY acoustic panels for treating my room to certain frequencies.. Im not sure which is better and denser for this purpose.. and what material to use..
'Glasswool' or 'Rockwool'.. ???
and what is the difference between them? im totally new to this.. acoustic foam isnt available in my city and neither are readymade acoustic panels..:-(.. please help me urgently.. thanks..

BushmasterM4 · 11-03-2009, 03:56 PM

I used AFB mineral wool, which I believe is the same thing as Rockwool. This is what I used and its alot cheaper than the Owens Corning batts. http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Ro...f-6--1006.html

nerol1st · 11-03-2009, 07:44 PM

Just passing along what I have heard, I can't really back this info to hard.

Mineral Wool or Rock Wool is cheaper than fiberglass.

The acoustic properties are the same or damn near the same.

Mineral wool apparently breaks down over time faster, I don't see and issue with this if your panels are gonna stay put and not move personally.

I went with Owens Corning 703 unfaced (no paper facing) 2"X2'X4' panels. I was able to buy all the fiberglass panels locally and saved a fuckload on shipping. If you can't get them locally then it's really expensive IMO. Ready Acoustics would have been $107.61 per 12 pack. IIRC it was around $170 for 3 packages from an OFI distributor in Syracuse, 12 panels per package. So I had 36 sheets to play with.

Which is good because apparently you can't have to much

Praashekh · 11-03-2009, 09:29 PM

well... i have this glasswool bag lying in the garage ( a friends bag) ... the stuff is white in colour and i hear it causes some irritation when comes in contact with the skin.. i gotta be careful with the DIY stuff then most probably..

.. is this the right glasswool thing? its raw i guess.. not made into any sheet or any batts.. would that make a difference? because the stuff i see online with Owens etc is yellow in colour and made into proper 2"x2'x4' sheets. confused what i have n how good this raw glasswool is.. i could stuff this into my panels right??

nerol1st · 11-04-2009, 12:56 AM

Both Rockwool and OC703 is rigid. In other words you can lean those panels against the wall and they will stand up. It's also denser than the average fluffy stuff you stick in your walls.

Google superchunking though. If you got the fluffy stuff it could be used that way.

nerol1st · 11-04-2009, 12:57 AM

I'm surprised Ethan hasn't popped in yet.

Todzilla · 11-04-2009, 06:04 AM

Not sure what "glasswool" is, especially since nomenclature between my country (USA) and India is likely different.

It sounds like you may have what we call "fiberglass." Fiberglass, as the name implies, is tiny spun fibers of glass, which will make tiny irritating cuts in your skin if you're not careful. Fiberglass, in a certain compressed form, is acoustically similar to rockwool. However, the compressed form, which folks here often refer to as OC703 or OC703 (brand names of the product from Owens Corning) is very different in handling and effectiveness, as compared to its more predominant uncompressed form. Sounds like the OP has what we'd call uncompressed fiberglass. It can be used for acoustic attenuation, but its lack of density means you need much more than an equivalent volume of compressed fiberglass, or rockwool.

Praashekh · 11-04-2009, 07:56 AM

ya.. you are right.. it is also called Fiberglass... thin fibers of glass etc.. worked a bit with one today.. had worn gloves masks etc.. but still got cut..:-P.. this stuff was all fluffy n flying all over the garden.. finally got it into one panel.. but its coming out of the burlap cloth.. maybe i'll just put cardboard or wood on both sides of the panels.. still not sure if i should go ahead with this stuff?? do people use it in their recording set-up? isnt it hazardous? dangerous to health etc?? people keep scaring me to death about it..

Ethan Winer · 11-04-2009, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerol1st

I'm surprised Ethan hasn't popped in yet.

You guys are doing just fine without me.

nice keetee · 11-04-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praashekh

ya.. you are right.. it is also called Fiberglass... thin fibers of glass etc.. worked a bit with one today.. had worn gloves masks etc.. but still got cut..:-P.. this stuff was all fluffy n flying all over the garden.. finally got it into one panel.. but its coming out of the burlap cloth.. maybe i'll just put cardboard or wood on both sides of the panels.. still not sure if i should go ahead with this stuff?? do people use it in their recording set-up? isnt it hazardous? dangerous to health etc?? people keep scaring me to death about it..

It is in most of our homes walls and above our heads in the attic...maybe use a more dense weave of cloth to contain it?

Praashekh · 11-05-2009, 10:58 AM

i used burlap n it started getting out.. so used felt cloth on the other side.. n then re-covered the whole panel with an old bedsheet...hope it works now.. since its got so much cloth on it i hope the sound goes through.. :-P.. and not maybe reflect back from the surface again.. didnt use any shiny cloth or plastic or rubber cloth so i guess maybe it should not reflect.. but then i dont know if the thickness of the cloth makes a difference too... was thinking of getting some cardboard and putting it at the back of the panel so that it holds the shape and the glasswool doesnt come out.. am i on the right track?

11-03-2009, 12:48 PM	#1
Praashekh Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pune,India Posts: 25	Glasswool or Rockwool ?? for acoustic treatment. help urgently.. Hi, Im making some DIY acoustic panels for treating my room to certain frequencies.. Im not sure which is better and denser for this purpose.. and what material to use.. 'Glasswool' or 'Rockwool'.. ??? and what is the difference between them? im totally new to this.. acoustic foam isnt available in my city and neither are readymade acoustic panels..:-(.. please help me urgently.. thanks..

11-03-2009, 03:56 PM	#2
BushmasterM4 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,756	I used AFB mineral wool, which I believe is the same thing as Rockwool. This is what I used and its alot cheaper than the Owens Corning batts. http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Ro...f-6--1006.html __________________ I like Z Cars and Guitars

11-03-2009, 07:44 PM	#3
nerol1st Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Auburn NY Posts: 6,615	Just passing along what I have heard, I can't really back this info to hard. Mineral Wool or Rock Wool is cheaper than fiberglass. The acoustic properties are the same or damn near the same. Mineral wool apparently breaks down over time faster, I don't see and issue with this if your panels are gonna stay put and not move personally. I went with Owens Corning 703 unfaced (no paper facing) 2"X2'X4' panels. I was able to buy all the fiberglass panels locally and saved a fuckload on shipping. If you can't get them locally then it's really expensive IMO. Ready Acoustics would have been $107.61 per 12 pack. IIRC it was around $170 for 3 packages from an OFI distributor in Syracuse, 12 panels per package. So I had 36 sheets to play with. Which is good because apparently you can't have to much __________________ Criteria for being a successful contributor to the HCAF: 1. Must talk like a 4 year old, the more letters you replace the better. Examples would be brootz, failzor, teh, map and other. 2. Must have an extremely closed mind, resort to name calling if necessary. Carrying on normal conversation = "fail". Some other things that are pluses (but not limited to): 1. Alcoholism (big plus). 2. Excessive use of emoticons especially and .

11-03-2009, 09:29 PM	#4
Praashekh Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pune,India Posts: 25	well... i have this glasswool bag lying in the garage ( a friends bag) ... the stuff is white in colour and i hear it causes some irritation when comes in contact with the skin.. i gotta be careful with the DIY stuff then most probably.... is this the right glasswool thing? its raw i guess.. not made into any sheet or any batts.. would that make a difference? because the stuff i see online with Owens etc is yellow in colour and made into proper 2"x2'x4' sheets. confused what i have n how good this raw glasswool is.. i could stuff this into my panels right??

11-04-2009, 12:56 AM	#5
nerol1st Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Auburn NY Posts: 6,615	Both Rockwool and OC703 is rigid. In other words you can lean those panels against the wall and they will stand up. It's also denser than the average fluffy stuff you stick in your walls. Google superchunking though. If you got the fluffy stuff it could be used that way. __________________ Criteria for being a successful contributor to the HCAF: 1. Must talk like a 4 year old, the more letters you replace the better. Examples would be brootz, failzor, teh, map and other. 2. Must have an extremely closed mind, resort to name calling if necessary. Carrying on normal conversation = "fail". Some other things that are pluses (but not limited to): 1. Alcoholism (big plus). 2. Excessive use of emoticons especially and .

11-04-2009, 12:57 AM	#6
nerol1st Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Auburn NY Posts: 6,615	I'm surprised Ethan hasn't popped in yet. __________________ Criteria for being a successful contributor to the HCAF: 1. Must talk like a 4 year old, the more letters you replace the better. Examples would be brootz, failzor, teh, map and other. 2. Must have an extremely closed mind, resort to name calling if necessary. Carrying on normal conversation = "fail". Some other things that are pluses (but not limited to): 1. Alcoholism (big plus). 2. Excessive use of emoticons especially and .

11-04-2009, 06:04 AM	#7
Todzilla Hall of Fame Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Southern BLUE State, USA Posts: 11,918	Not sure what "glasswool" is, especially since nomenclature between my country (USA) and India is likely different. It sounds like you may have what we call "fiberglass." Fiberglass, as the name implies, is tiny spun fibers of glass, which will make tiny irritating cuts in your skin if you're not careful. Fiberglass, in a certain compressed form, is acoustically similar to rockwool. However, the compressed form, which folks here often refer to as OC703 or OC703 (brand names of the product from Owens Corning) is very different in handling and effectiveness, as compared to its more predominant uncompressed form. Sounds like the OP has what we'd call uncompressed fiberglass. It can be used for acoustic attenuation, but its lack of density means you need much more than an equivalent volume of compressed fiberglass, or rockwool. __________________ Todzilla HUGE sound generation & capture facility Eno River Basin

11-04-2009, 07:56 AM	#8
Praashekh Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pune,India Posts: 25	ya.. you are right.. it is also called Fiberglass... thin fibers of glass etc.. worked a bit with one today.. had worn gloves masks etc.. but still got cut..:-P.. this stuff was all fluffy n flying all over the garden.. finally got it into one panel.. but its coming out of the burlap cloth.. maybe i'll just put cardboard or wood on both sides of the panels.. still not sure if i should go ahead with this stuff?? do people use it in their recording set-up? isnt it hazardous? dangerous to health etc?? people keep scaring me to death about it..

11-05-2009, 10:58 AM	#11
Praashekh Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Pune,India Posts: 25	i used burlap n it started getting out.. so used felt cloth on the other side.. n then re-covered the whole panel with an old bedsheet...hope it works now.. since its got so much cloth on it i hope the sound goes through.. :-P.. and not maybe reflect back from the surface again.. didnt use any shiny cloth or plastic or rubber cloth so i guess maybe it should not reflect.. but then i dont know if the thickness of the cloth makes a difference too... was thinking of getting some cardboard and putting it at the back of the panel so that it holds the shape and the glasswool doesnt come out.. am i on the right track?

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