Hello

I am wanting to make some acoustic panels, covered with fabric back & front, however I am wary about rock wool...is it dangerous?

A few years ago I lost a relative to mesothelioma due to asbestos which is why I am so wary

My studio is also my bedroom, so I will be sleeping close to the panels

Is there any alternative to rock wool?

 

Yes, it is similar to any fibreglass insulation so will needed to be treated as such. Wearing masks and appropriate PPE would go along way whilst you are creating your panels but after they are wrapped they will be safe.

 

Number one mistake is to cover the rock wool with only the basic fabric, fibers will go out. Primarily cover it with a black fabric for gardens, weed blocker, its a material that is breathable but fibers can not escape.
https://www.amazon.com.au/FLARMOR-Landscape-Fabric-Heavy-Duty/dp/B07FDBQ9Z7

 

Thank you, could you (if any) recommend what type of fabric to use?

I was looking at Camira, however I have set myself a challenge to make the panels for under £150

The panels will consist of three 60cm x 120cm and two 60cm x 60cm panels all with 5cm thickness

 

Rockwool is classed as a MMMF (man made mineral fibre), but isn’t harmful to health in the same way as asbestos or the likes (this is actually my area of work!), but it does irritate the skin, so as said, PPE is needed whilst handling until it is wrapped, and the material needs to be “breathable” to allow the sound to pass through but without fibre release.

 

What fabric would you recommend using? As I said in a reply to another comment on here, I was looking at Camira, however I have set myself a challenge to make the panels for under £150

 

What fabric would you recommend using? As I said in a reply to another comment on here, I was looking at Camira, however I have set myself a challenge to make the panels for under £150

 

When I did mine, I just used decorators dust sheets and had no issues. That is probably something someone else can advise on better than me.

 

there are 2 ways to go about this

the most expensive and "complicated" thing about accustic treatment is Bass
this is for pro stuff and diy stuff

my suggestion is:
buy the appropriate(amount) rock-wool, pack it in more plastic (like for trashcans/bins)
put it in your corners and be done with bass.
As bass traps(freq/physics) dont't care or need Fabric to work.(everything over 100hz does)

then you could do some simple things for early reflections for freq over 100hz to 20khz
like this

or you could pack 150 more onto your budget and get what i always recommend
primacoustic london 8 or 10 (depending on sale or 2nd hand)
with that you have good looking and most importantly very effective and
small footprint solution, that is most often overlooked in home studio builds.
Diy needs space! you wont get far (for bass) with 5cm thickness
that is mostly enough for E.Reflections and Clouds

and of course you can cover your corner with fabric still

 

Last edited: Jan 15, 2021

I did my broadband diffusers myself and they are cheap and easy to do, but the Primacoustic stuff, if you have the money does look amazing and is so easy to put up.

 

Hello,

I made some acoustic panels, Absorbders and Bass traps with Rockwool (based on Prima Acoustic panels).

Use rigid Rockwool panels, between 30 and 50Kg/m3 for first reflexions, thick of 20cm is perfect, and a bit more dense if you make Bass Traps, betweeen 50 and 100Kg/m3, 10cm is enough because you also have to put a solid membrane (loaded vinyl), with air space.

And use Karma acoustic fabric foam lined.

You can find the data sheets ont the Prima Acoustic website.

Best,

 

What is Earth wool?...someone recommended it to me on FB, would it be ideal to go for that instead of rock wool or not?

 

I'm sorry to hear that, mesothelioma is an horrific way to leave this world.
I've worked the larger part of my life in asbestos deletion.

but actually your question has 2 parts I see it,
there isn't any proof in the scientific section as far as I know that you can develop an mesothelioma from rockwool.
But it is not exactly safe either. Silicosis is a real risk, so wear a mask.

 

Asbestos and rockwool are two different things. Just cover it up with a fiber cloth and covering fabric (breathable).

 

When you say a real risk, are you meaning when handling it, or both when handling it and when it is on my walls wrapped up?

 

Rock Wool is a trade name, a Earth Wool looks like a different trade name, but I bought it in a slab. A quick search looks like it’s a less dense product.

 

An harmless alternative is Caruso Isobond (it has similar properties but made out of Polyester) which can be used even unsealed. But it is more expensive

 

Here's what I suggest (based on books by Phillip Newell and the Handbook of acoustics and then Physics).

1. For corner Bass traps, implement this Triangle Prism structure.


Rockwool panels are rectangular and I hope it is not hard to cut 4'x2' pieces into 2'x2' and then getting 2 Isosceles Right Triangles from each of the 2'x2' pieces.
Bass absorption needs more thickness. It will be better to use 96 or 120 kg/m3 Rockwool.
Now, the more you increase density, the more you increase rigidity and so the high frequency absorption will suffer, although, low frequency absorption will become better for mass law. Now remember this for the next points.

2. To reduce/remove lateral reflection, try to make a better broadband panel. Best way to do is, use Rockwool and Foam sheets together. Make 4'x2'x5" panels. Then insert 4 inch thick rockwool (again, 96 or 120 kg/m3) and on top of that, use 1 inch PU foam.
Now why Foam on top of Rockwool?
Well, Rockwool at 4" thickness and 120 or 96 kg/m3 density is a good absorber of Bass but can reflect some high frequency due to rigidity. So the 1" foam will be there for Highs and the 4" thick rockwool will be there for Low and Mid. As both rockwool and PU Foams are porous absorbers, connecting them in series will augment the absorption and not yield any side effects.
Read here.

Also, If you don't want the foam, try looking for 48 kg/m3 Rockwools, as an alternative for the foam part.
Now pack this panel up with breathable fabric, if possible choose fire safe products.

I know, we should call it Mineral Wool or Stone wool.
Don't use Glasswool though.

And yes, try to hang this panel so that there is an air gap between the last rigid rockwool layer and the Hard wall boundaries.

Also, for beginners, this is a really cool video.

 

Last edited: Jan 15, 2021

Hemp wool, not agressive
http://www.technichanvre.com/1411-2/1499-2/hemp-insulationrolls-and-panels/

French company, there are others all around the world

 

I'd prefer Basotect over Rockwool, especially for first reflections ..