Re: Fabrics with acoustical properties

[Don Pearce]

Steve wrote:
> I am looking for fabrics that have both acoustical blocking and absorption
> properties. I would like to make drapes for some windows to block out a low
> level of noise.
>
> I don't want to use acoustical foam or some such thing. I want a decent-looking
> fabric.
>
> Does anyone know of such fabrics?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Steve Jacobson

There are no such fabrics. To block out noise you require two factors,
mass and rigidity.

d

[Tony]

"Don Pearce" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:Tv-dncqMQq8RD-DV...@posted.plusnet...

> Steve wrote:
>> I am looking for fabrics that have both acoustical blocking and
>> absorption
>> properties. I would like to make drapes for some windows to block out a
>> low
>> level of noise

(snip...)

>
> There are no such fabrics. To block out noise you require two factors,
> mass and rigidity.

Not quite. In theory, rigidity is not necessary, and in general it is not
even desirable! You do require mass, and it should be impervious to air.
But, practical materials that are heavy enough to give a useful amount of
sound isolation, are mostly rigid or fairly stiff, and cannot really be used
as "drapes". If the noise is very high frequency you might just find
something that will make an audible difference, otherwise there's not much
chance. Your best bet is secondary glazing.

--
Tony W
My e-mail address has no hyphen
- but please don't use it, reply to the group.

[GregS]

In article <bhhq74t01mbgah9p4...@4ax.com>, nos...@nowhere.org wrote:
>I am looking for fabrics that have both acoustical blocking and =
>absorption
>properties. I would like to make drapes for some windows to block out a =
>low
>level of noise.
>
>I don't want to use acoustical foam or some such thing. I want a =

>decent-looking
>fabric.
>
>Does anyone know of such fabrics?
>
>Thanks in advance.
>

>Steve JacobsonAre the windows sealed double pane ?

Are the windows sealed double pane ?

[Greg Locock]

"Tony" <ne...@t-onywoolf.co.uk> wrote in
news:4Kkfk.27727$E41....@text.news.virginmedia.com:

> "Don Pearce" <nos...@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:Tv-dncqMQq8RD-DV...@posted.plusnet...
>> Steve wrote:
>>> I am looking for fabrics that have both acoustical blocking and
>>> absorption
>>> properties. I would like to make drapes for some windows to block
>>> out a low
>>> level of noise
> (snip...)
>>
>> There are no such fabrics. To block out noise you require two
>> factors, mass and rigidity.

Heavy velvet curtains certainly have a measurable effect. You could sew
lead or steel discs into them.

Ancient technology.

Cheers

Greg Locock

[Don Pearce]

I get the feeling that he wants the effect to be considerable, not
measurable. And curtains do essentially nothing at low frequency.

d