DAY 5.

Finished wiring all the recessed lighting. Ran the new electric line from the room to the panel that's halfway across the house. That was tough. I had to find a way to run this wire without ripping up all the ceilings in the other rooms. Only had 2 cut two small holes to get it done!

Tonight the electrician (family friend) comes to wire up my lines at the panel. Wall insulation and vapor barrier should be done tonight as well. I'll take some more pics tonight.

H

Here is what it looked like at the end of Day 5. Lights are wired up, and all the rough in done for the electric.

H

End of day 6. Tonight the electrician wired up the outlets feed to the main panel as a separate circuit. The lights will be on a dimmer, and I wanted all the studio gear on a separate circuit to avoid any interference. I finished about 90% of the insulation. Just a few more pieces to put in tomorrow night. The first layer of drywall goes up Saturday, and the second layer on Sunday.

It's starting to come together boys!

H

Looking Good!

maybe you already anwsered this but what are you going to use for the actual walls? im curious. (assuming not sheetrock since thats what you tore out lol)

Actually I will be using sheetrock for the walls. I ripped out the old stuff in order to allow me open access to rewire the electrical and put in insulation. I also moved the location of the door and the closet. Plus the old walls weren't in that great of shape.

The method I will be using is dual layers of 5/8" sheetrock. The more mass you have on your walls the better sound reduction you have. The best choice is to build a room within a room, but I don't have the room, or the time for that. I'm using a product called Green Glue. Yes that's the brand name. What you do it put up your first layer of drywall, then you use the Green glue on the back of the second layer. Supposedly this stuff really works. It better cause it wasn't cheap!!

Also, at the corners you don't have the drywall touching. You leave a 1/4" gap in which you fill with a special caulk that doesn't ever fully harden. It helps prevent sound wave transfer between walls. Jeez I almost forgot I have to order the caulk yet!!

H

Do you screw the second layer of drywall to the wall or just glue? If you do this to the ceiling I would use screws as well.

Yes you screw and glue! I don't need the ceiling falling on my head!

From what I can tell, this Green Glue isn't really an adhesive. They explain how it works on their website. The short version is that it transforms sound energy into heat. That's the scientific explanation. All I know is that it's very highly recommended by guys that build studios, and they say it really works. We'll see!

H

Ironic...I too am starting MY studio project! Maybe I'll get some pics up too.

I'm going the same route per the 5/8" drywall, although I may add/use a layer of soundboard. There is also a killer product called QuietRock that is used in theaters. It can be a bit pricey and hard to find (I'll have to travel two-three hours to get my hands on it)but looks like a GREAT product for these applications. Don't forget to stagger your seams of the drywall (ie. first sheets go horizontal, second layer vertical)and caulk them ALL. Using resillient channels to hang the rock on can also make a significant difference in the sound transmission. I'm jealous, you're moving along much faster than I. My stages a slow going but then again I am building almost from scratch.

Looking good!!!!

I've heard mixed reviews about the Quietrock product. Some say it's OK, but many say it's overpriced and not nearly as effective as multi layers of drywall.

I might be moving fast now, but I starting thinking about this project over a year ago, and started doing planning and budgeting several months ago. I did a TON of research on what the best options for my situation might be. There are many different opinions and ways of studio design and construction.

Once I had my budget and plan, I put together a aggressive but manageable schedule. The bulk of the work will be done within a 2 week time. I (and my wife) didn't want to drag it on forever.

Plan, plan, research, more research, and more planning pay off in the long run. Good luck with your build! I'd love to see some pics.

H

I'm expecting Norm Abrams to weigh in on the forum anytime now.

I think you mean Norm Abram. Everybody always adds a "s" for some reason.

I've been a faithful watcher of "This Old House" since I was 5 years old. Still the best home remodeling show out there!

H

Days 7&8:

Two layers of drywall and the first coat of tape and mud went up this weekend. Hanging 2 layers of 5/8" drywall on the ceiling is HARD work!

More pics tonight.

H

Well not being able to see the trees through the forest it looks, to me, like you have ruined the place.


So, if I understand this correctly, you first went and punched a hole in the wall and then you completely tore the place up?

What's next?

GO AWAY GEORGE (we know where you're hiding...).

Today was day 10. I put the final coat of mud on the walls. Tomorrow I'll be sanding and starting the painting! Sorry I haven't posted some new pics. I'm so dang tired at the end of the day I forget about pics. I'll get some up before I start painting.

H

Here's some pics of the completed drywall work. Need to do a light sanding this morning, and painting starts this afternoon. I think I've picked out a cool paint scheme. My sister is an interior designer, so I had her help me pick out colors. I'm not too good with that stuff! More paint tomorrow. New floor should be going in on Friday. It's getting close!

H

End of day 11.

First coat of paint today! It's looking good!

H

Hope the recordings end up better than the room.. LMAO

Hey Jackass... *cough* I mean George!!