|
|
Post by purtatoe on May 17, 2020 2:58:43 GMT
I've made 34, yes 34 bass traps for my small room. I'm taking Ethan's advice and covering every inch I can in bass traps, being that it's a very small room. I built them using Safe-N-Sound. I've spent a ton of money and time building them and I'm still not done as I need to buy fabric and mounting hardware and I'm almost tapped out of funds. I can't spend $300-$500 on fabric. I haven't worked in 8 weeks due to coronavirus. So on to my question... Will Landscape fabric work? I actually had a little bit in my garage and covered one bass trap with it, it looks fine, but I wanted more opinions before moving ahead and doing all 34 of them. It comes in different thickness and is breathable, but not made from cotton but rather polyester and other similar concoctions. I read on other forums that it's too reflective? What say you? Ethan? Anyone? This stuff is 1/8th the price of Muslim or any other cotton fabric I can find. Something like this: www.homedepot.com/p/Vigoro-4-ft-x-200-ft-Polypropylene-Landscape-Fabric-209879/302730918Thank you |
|
|
|
Post by Hexspa on May 17, 2020 7:27:39 GMT
It'll probably be a little reflective. Why not just cover them temporarily with that? As you know, there's a difference between 'works' and 'ideal'.
|
|
|
|
Post by rock on May 17, 2020 14:16:01 GMT
Not all Landscape Fabric is the same. I have used the "economy" landscape fabric. The stuff I used is a non-woven fabric. As far as I can tell it is non-reflective and very thin. It's so thin you can see the greenish color of the thermafiber through the fabric so I have used a double layer just for cosmetic purposes. As far as I can tell, the double layer does not affect the acoustic performance, i.e. is more or less reflective. I mean to say 2 laters is the same as 1 and not any more or less reflective... if it is reflective at all, which in my opinion it is not.
When I was shopping for it years ago, I did note the more expensive landscape fabric seemed to be plastic like with tiny holes or perforations most likely for water to pass through. I don't think that will work as it probably IS reflective.
Another thing I noticed about the economy stuff I bought it from "Menards" is that it seems to UV sensitive in that if you put it in direct sunlight like putting a panel in a window (as I did), the material has a tendency to disintegrate in a couple years time. However, the panels that are placed in the mostly artificially lit basement room are fine after quite a few years now.
In conclusion, I find the economy non-woven fabric functionally acceptable for bass traps or RFZ panels although cosmetically, they might be considered inferior... but you cant beat the price.
|
|
|
|
Post by rock on May 17, 2020 17:06:18 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by purtatoe on May 18, 2020 13:09:05 GMT
It'll probably be a little reflective. Why not just cover them temporarily with that? As you know, there's a difference between 'works' and 'ideal'. Thanks, but that doesn't make sense. I want to do the job right and do it once. It's no small task to install fabric on 34 bass traps. If the fabric is reflective that's not good for such a small room. If I have to wait until my finances improve (i.e. get a "permission slip" from government to go back to work) in order to buy the proper fabric I will, I was just hoping this stuff (landscape fabric) might work. |
|
|
|
Post by rock on May 18, 2020 13:43:52 GMT
Well all I can say is the landscape fabric I have used is not reflective as far as I can tell. I stop short of proclaiming it to absolutely and 100% non reflective simply because I did not do a certified laboratory test. If you go the the fabric store, you won't get that kind of guarantee either.
I don't know if Hexspa has used landscape fabric or not; doesn't sound like it. Why don't we just ask him if he has. Keep in mind all products like this are not the same.
The blow test is pretty trustworthy; if air can pass through, so will vibrating air molecules (sound).
To prove it to yourself, if you have made one panel, do the talk test. If you don't hear your voice bouncing back, it's passing through and being absorbed.
The cheap stuff from Menards works fine for me. If I wanted to spend more money, there are other choices but functionally, I doubt there is anything better.
But remember, for bass traps, you need to use a front surface membrane (paper, plastic or foil) lightly spray glued to the panel (under or behind the covering fabric.) If this is news to you, you need to read the stickys again. If not, carry on.
|
|
