I'm renovating a room in my GF's home to change it into a dedicated 7.1 HT and Stereo room.

The walls a currently 2x4 constructions insulated with 3" acoustic insulation between the studs. The room originally had 1/4" wood paneling walls and 12" sq acoustic tiles (pressed fiber) on the ceiling. The room is 10w x 18lg x ~8'h.

I need to keep things simple and inexpensive. (I can make some treatments and bass traps as a later hobby)

To finish the room(IE cover the studs) what is my best course of action. I intend to re-use the ceiling tile and keep the current carpeted floor.

Do I go with new sheet rock? or reuse the wall board? Do I cover the sheet rock or wall board with thin Carpet? Or do I simply cover the walls with carpet. For carpet, I was looking at using indoor/outdoor carpeting from home depot for the walls. The carpet is made from a polypropylene/polyethylene fiber and is not thick or plush. It reminds me of walls in local theaters.

I have read too many threads and have gotten depressed with my crapbox room compared to all your mega projects.

My budget does not allow expensive options. The cost/sq ft is a serious factor for me.

If you can hang and finish it yourself, it is hard to beat drywall for cost and finish quality (compared to the other options you mention). Why not attach the drywall over the existing paneling (not over the ceiling tiles).

the wall board has been taken off to put in the acoustic insulation.

Second vote for drywall....as a DIY project, it is not nearly as expensive as contracting it out, and once you get the hang of it, you can achieve really good finishes. If you're new to drywall (like I was), there are some great sites to help you along - Google "drywallschool", and they have some good videos and tips. Drywall can be frustrating, and I'm sure most of us here that have done it swear we would hire it out 'the next time' - but it's sure a great skill that ports easily over to your next 'reno' project :D 5/8 drywall will help with the soundproofing (you mention you put in the 3" insulation) more than wood paneling.

I would caution against carpet on the walls - codes (safety first, theatre second) dictate that materials that are not fire-rated can seriously impact how short a time it can take for a structure to burn/flame propagation/release off-gases and other nasties. There have been a few threads here discussing flame retardants, various fabrics and wall coverings and so forth - GOM (Guilford of Maine), Dazian Expo or Celtic cloth and many other textiles have been tested to meet certain ratings for wall applications. Carpets are tested in a different fashion, and vertical/horizontal makes a difference to flames!

Some traps or acoustic panels will offer you a better way of treating the room, and as you said, can be a hobby venture later on down the road! It can certainly be done inexpensively, as many here have shared some great knowledge and experiences.

Agree with the drywall.

Insulate well above the ceiling to extend it's absorbtive capabilities. DO NOT use carpet on the walls. That'll severly throw the absorbtion curve out of whack by being way too much high frequency only absorbtion.

Save the money and make your panels and bass absorbers now as a hobby...

Bryan

Thanks brian, that really gets to the gut of my question.

Looking at some of the theater projects I saw people using vapor barrier. Is that a recommendation for theater walls?
Should I use something specific in the paint to get better dispersion?

Is double drywall worth the cost and effort? Should I keep the ceiling tile, or pay the extra and drywall the ceiling now that I am going that direction?

sorry for so many new questions.

Jodi

Thanks brian, that really gets to the gut of my question.

Looking at some of the theater projects I saw people using vapor barrier. Is that a recommendation for theater walls?

That depends on how your basement is built.


Should I use something specific in the paint to get better dispersion?

Get good paint and that shouldn't be necessary. Stick with flat paint when possible to avoid light reflections (especially on ceilings).

Is double drywall worth the cost and effort? Should I keep the ceiling tile, or pay the extra and drywall the ceiling now that I am going that direction?

DD and GleenGlue only if you will be doing the same for all surfaces, including the ceiling. Otherwise the sound isolation benfits of a DD/GG wall will be completely wasted. Sound would just flank through the weakest point (your drop ceiling).

There is a Taunton press book by Myron Ferguson on Drywall work that is excellent. I think there is also an accompanying video that is good.

I have 130 sheets to hang and finish (blueboard and veneer plaster) - I am hiring it out. Cost is not too bad if you shop around (triple the material cost - break down is basically 1/3 material 1/3 hanging 1/3 finishing). Works out to $1-$1.50 per sq. foot total in my area.

db

I've done enough drywall to not worry about doing it myself. There is no-way I am as good as a professional (some of those guys are super human), but an extra coat of filler and the cost of another bucket is little to worry about.

Simple drywall walls just feels like I'm selling my project short, but there has to be something better for the budget minded than $1000 in green glue. The GG website does a good job of making double drywall without the GG a waste of time.

Cathan is right on the money.

Double drywall without Green Glue still adds mass which will still help some with isolation but not if you don't build the rest of the room tight.

Bryan

We recently did some music rooms in a University here. The solution was a layer of donnacona board between the drywall.

Installing Donnacona board (http://www.housesmartcentre.com/view_article.php?article_id=1006810940049234200)

What options do i have to hang on dry wall to isolate sound coming from a mutual wall with neighbor? I live in a townhouse and we can hear the neighbor from time to time. I'm looking for simple/cost-effective solution to place on top of the drywall. it's the rear wall in the living room (home theater).

The functionality of the wall treatment is a bit different in a sense that I want to keep sound out from the neighbor while having minimal effect to my listening pleasure in the room.

More drywall.

More drywall.
k so last night i found out our neighbor is a stripper and at 12am while i'm trying to sleep our wall starts creaking and knocking on top of her well practiced pr0n scene dialogue. Do we have any other suggestions besides more dry wall? That isn't exactly cost effective.

I think I would drill a peep hole.

Originally posted by BIGmouthinDC
I think I would drill a peep hole.

Best---suggestion---ever

I think I would drill a peep hole.

That was good :cool: