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fabric question

843 Views 10 Replies 3 Participants Last post by rutlian, Dec 30, 2008

rutlian

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2008

Can I use 100% cotton fabric for acoustic panel?

I know I can use burlap, gom and others. But would like to find out if I can use 100% cotton as long as I can breath out.

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1 - 11 of 11 Posts

breathing out is not a requirement for acoustic panels, only for covering speakers.

Just as long as it isn't acoustically reflective any fabric will work.

Now someone else can talk about fire resistance.

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rutlian

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 29, 2008

Thanks for the reply and I am very new to this...Can you tell me what you mean when you mentioned as long as it isn't acoustically reflective Thank for your help.

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BIGmouthinDC

· #4 · Dec 29, 2008

Waterproofed tightly suspended nylon would probably reflect sound.

You want the sound to either pass through or be partially absorbed by the fabric. The breathing test is a pass through test.

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Terry Montlick

· #5 · Dec 29, 2008

You are safest using an open-weave fabric which you can blow through. This is not essential if you don't need all the high frequency absorption that the fiberglass of the panel can perform. I've encountered some fabrics which reflect most of the sound as low as 1 kHz.

Guilford fabric is no guarantee in itself. While most of the fabrics are excellent acoustically, Guilford Carrara is particularly terrible (too bad, because it looks great). It reflects about 75% of the sound hitting it at 1 kHz, even more at high frequencies!

Regards,

Terry

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rutlian

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 29, 2008

thank you. Now I understand.

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rutlian

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 29, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Montlick /forum/post/15407833

You are safest using an open-weave fabric which you can blow through. This is not essential if you don't need all the high frequency absorption that the fiberglass of the panel can perform. I've encountered some fabrics which reflect most of the sound as low as 1 kHz.

Guilford fabric is no guarantee in itself. While most of the fabrics are excellent acoustically, Guilford Carrara is particularly terrible (too bad, because it looks great). It reflects about 75% of the sound hitting it at 1 kHz, even more at high frequencies!

Regards,

Terry

I assumed one example for open-weave fabric would be a BURLAP right? I am afraid my wife may not agree if I get that one instead I've been thinking if I should get burlap or not, believed me it's been a torture in my part. I am afraid it is not gonna be as smooth as other fabric although I don't know for sure how it will look like when it is applied to 2'x4'x2". Can you iron the burlap fabric?

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Terry Montlick

· #8 · Dec 29, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by rutlian /forum/post/15407889

I assumed one example for open-weave fabric would be a BURLAP right?

Yup. Burlap will work. It is not necessarily pretty or flame resistant. But acoustically, it is fine.

Regards,

Terry

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rutlian

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 29, 2008

Thank you, I had burlap in my mind eversince, I can get BURLAP fabrics for 2.99 a yard with Joann's.

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BIGmouthinDC

· #10 · Dec 30, 2008

To me the smell of burlap reminds me of being in a barn.

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rutlian

Discussion Starter · #11 · Dec 30, 2008

I know what you mean, that is 1 thing I am worried about. I have kids (3 and 1 year old) both of them love to watch movies ( Their eyes are glued when it is movie time) I think they got it from their proud dad and mom who loves watching movies. And I don't know if that smell is bad for kids and how long the smell will last or maybe you will not smell it anymore since you can get immune with the smell. LOL

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