Hive Mind, please help. I just snuck a peek at the classroom where I will be teaching and in the back, it has a partition, not a wall separating it from the classroom next door. The partition looks to be about as old as I am. How do I soundproof it, please? TIA!
#TeacherRant
@MPCavalier
I need a DIY solution commensurate with being a public school teacher just starting out in this building and in a school district that requires us to move everything out of rooms for the summer. The goal is to keep outside noise out - namely the classes next door.
@publickovacs
Its a public school so no budget (my wife is a teacher too). Take a look at this.
@MPCavalier
Thank you so much!
@MPCavalier @publickovacs I dunno if this might be possible, but may the basic soundproofing theory might work. One board providing a total barrier, and a second one with an air gap between the two. The sound may not die completely, but a lot of it should die in the air gap before it hits the 2nd board
@Pat_Walrond @publickovacs
Thats a sensible solution but it needs to be removable at the end of the school year. We need to solve for portability. Put it on wheels?
@MPCavalier @publickovacs Hmmm... putting it on wheels would leave a clear space under the boards... sound would go through there... I don't know enough about building stuff to give you any really useful suggestions on how to handle it
@Pat_Walrond
Thank you, though! I am looking for lessening noise, tbh. Complete soundproofing is likely not in the cards
@publickovacs Well then the wheeled flats should work.. The air space would be the key to lessening the noise
@MPCavalier
@publickovacs how big is this room?
@MPCavalier
Not big. @junation came with to take a look and he is guessing 25 by 30. Seating capacity is 28.
@publickovacs Ugh! Pretty quilts?
Me
I would go to fabric store, and but a bolt or two of heavyweight fabric, and hang 24 inch wide strips, from ceiling to floor. You don't have to cover all of it. Let it hang just in front of the partition. Leave 24 inch gaps, so in an emergency and the partition opens you can get through it fast.
@corlin
Ooh thank you!
This will not āsoundproofā the room. But it will help greatly. Added bonus bright colors.
True soundproofing is an art and a science and very, very expensive.
@corlin @publickovacs check w/school 1st, several of us at my school hung scarves up to tone down the florescent lighting. Fire marshal came through and made us take down anything hanging from ceiling.
@LaurelGreen
Oh crap. I mean that is a very very good point and thank you!
@publickovacs It also needs to be at least 18ā below the ceiling unless it is fire-proof material.
@Gardenthyme
Thank you for the precise info!
@publickovacs
Soundproofing is a very big job. You want to keep inside sound in? Or do you want to keep outside sound out? Real soundproofing requires building layers of acoustic-absorbing material.