How to Build an Acoustic Insulation Panel
Acoustic panels are used extensively for soundproofing in the recording industry. They are used to absorb or diffuse sound waves overall, and are made in different sizes for specific soundproofing needs. You can build acoustic insulation panels, using everyday building materials, and hang them on your walls to soundproof your home. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 1-by-3-inch trim board
- Circular saw
- Carpenter's glue
- Staple gun
- ½-inch staples
- Utility knife
- Fiberglass insulation batt
- Covering fabric
- 2 D-ring picture frame hooks
Instructions
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Use a circular saw to cut the trim board into lengths of 6 feet for the two side pieces and 3 feet for the top and bottom pieces of the acoustic insulation panel frame.
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Lay the cut frame pieces on a flat surface. Join the top and bottom frame pieces to the side pieces with carpenter's glue to form a rectangle.
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3
Staple all glued joints of the frame, using a staple gun and ½-inch staples, for added strength.
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4
Cut fiberglass insulation batt with a utility knife so that it covers the panel frame fully, from the outside edge of the top to the outside edge of the bottom, as well as from the outside edge of one side to the outside edge of the other side.
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Staple the cut fiberglass acoustic insulation piece along the top, bottom and sides of the panel frame at 4-inch intervals all around the frame.
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Lay out the covering fabric on a flat surface and smooth it out so that it lies flat. Lay the insulated frame on the fabric so that the insulated side is lying on the fabric.
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Fold the fabric over one side piece of the frame so that it lies smoothly across the side piece with no wrinkles. Starting at one end of the side piece, staple the fabric to this piece along the center of the board from one end to the other. Cut off excess fabric along the inside edge of the side piece with the utility knife.
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Fold the fabric over the remaining side piece of the panel frame. Pull the fabric toward you, along the length of this board, until the fabric fits tightly along the outside edge of the board and lies flat on the board, with no wrinkles.Staple the fabric along the side piece, beginning in the center and then stapling from the center to each end. Trim off the excess fabric.
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Pull the fabric toward you along the outside edge of the top piece so that it lies flat and wrinkle-free on the board. Tuck the fabric under itself at both ends of the top piece and smooth these folds down so that they lie flat. Pull the fabric tight and staple it down along the center of the top piece from one end to the other. Repeat this for the bottom of the frame.
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10
Attach a picture frame hook to the back of the panel frame at the top, 4 inches from the outside of the left edge of the frame. Attach the remaining hook to the right side at the top of the frame at the same distance from the outside edge. Your acoustic insulation panel is now finished and is ready to hang.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't exceed these dimensions; this size panel results in a lightweight frame that is easy to hang on a wall. Larger sizes will require firmer methods of attaching the frame to the wall, such as screw anchors, as well as additional picture frame hooks to hold the weight.
When hanging an acoustic insulation panel on a wall, locate the wall studs so you can use wall screws to hang the panel frame. If you end up going through drywall without hitting a stud, use hollow-wall anchors with drywall screws to make a firm attachment to the wall.
Use fabric that matches the color scheme and décor of your home to cover the panels.
Fiberglass insulation is the least expensive material to use for acoustic insulation. You can also use materials like eggshell mattress covers, rigid fiberglass products, foam panels, and pre-made acoustic insulation sheets for soundproofing, but they are more expensive.
References
- Photo Credit Photos.com/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
