Room construction

Construction photos

Last update: May 22, 2007

Late January: steel framing finished. Entrance; overall view; ductwork soffit; heat duct; cold air return. I wrapped the sheet metal register boot and takeoffs with sill insulation foam. Call me compulsive. Click any image for full size view.

That light will be just a junction box eventually.

That framed "pocket" in the soffit is for one of the wooden beams that will support the drywall ceiling panels.

Sat, Feb. 10 Drywall hanging: Lowe's delivered the goods the morning before as scheduled. Lowe's has been my main materials source. Thanks to Prashant K., Charlie C., Tom P. (not pictured), and SMWTMS member Barry C. They worked good -- and cheap: 2 large pizzas, one case of beer (remainder divvied up between them to take home), two 2L bottles of Pepsi. I used "paperless" moisture and mold resistant sheetrock for the parts against the foundation walls (one layer of 1/2". Plastic vapor barrier behind the fiberglas insulation. I read somewhere that putting the "pink" side out of the kraft paper backed insulation is better acoustically, but can't remember where I read it or exactly why. :)

The partition wall is 1/2" and 3/8" drywall with a layer of subfloor adhesive between them - 2 tubes per panel. Hung the first layer (3/8") horizontally and the second (1/2") vertically. Makes for a flatter wall, and no seams line up to provide a possible acoustical "short circuit".

The existing wood frame and 1/2" drywall partition wall between the listening room and workshop is unchanged for now. Ditto the current hollow door. Hopefully the ceiling will block most furnace noise that currently comes over the top of the wall. I can do more later if need be.

Acoustically, the new walls very well-damped and "dead" when tested with the "scientific" fist strike method. No rattles from the steel framing. Just what I wanted. By contrast, the wood stud wall rings like a freakin' bell. Makes me want to tear it down and rebuild it like the rest. But I'll restrain myself...if only for the sake of my marriage.

Apr. 10: After the drywall party I taped, mudded, and did fussy stuff like drywalling the window pockets (that was a pain). Then we went to Mazatlan for a week, then I slacked off another week or so but now I'm working on the ceiling. Here are the soffits drywalled. Also note the support beams (1X4 box with Minwax "Bombay Mahogany" PolyShade) for the eventual suspended drywall panels, and the holes/boxes for the ceiling spotlights. The boxes were needed for clearance beneath the main duct. Also: frame for decorative pilaster.

Sat., May 5: All taped, mudded, sanded, and ready for paint! Still to do: cut & paint removable ceiling panels, trim, lighting, and secondary ceiling supports. (Beams removed for painting) Deadline: Fri., May 18! Will I make it?

Wednesday, May 16: Nearing completion. Painting finished! Details of removable ceiling panels and "T" crossbeams shown. With just a little luck the room will be ready for use tomorrow night, with only some details remaining (like, um, installing the door...)

May 22: Functional, if not quite finished. I had the room in a useable state for the SMWTMS meeting on the 19th (alas, I was too busy playing host to take pictures). Here's the room as of this posting. Had unexpected trouble with difficult to install ceiling can downlights, hence the holes and wires. I took them back and got (hopefully) better ones from IKEA. Still needed: ceiling lights, a couple of ceiling panels still not installed, paint rear wall (adjoining the utility room) and its door, seal around the entry door, door casement moulding, baseboard, and find something inexpensive but decent to cover up that butt-ugly self-stick tile.

Also: need to build two mirror-image corner cabinets: one for the gear and a the other a false front cabinet to hide the sump in the opposite corner.That and maybe a permanent new floor will wait till next winter. I'd rather play outside in my spare time.

In spite of the holes for the cans and a couple of panels not installed, the soundproofing far exceeds my expectations! I put on a bass-heavy Stevie Ray Vaughan CD at earbleed level, and you can hardly hear it in the bedroom directly above. It will only get better.

Acoustically, the room is a bit live for my taste, but as more furniture and "stuff" is added it should tighten up. Even so, it sounds pretty good now.

I have a shelf unit for my old LPs and a couple of end tables frim IKEA to put together.

The fancy sectional sofa was "inherited" when we got our new living room sofa. Kinda girly but hey, it was already paid for.

I will probably post a separate page for the finished room next. From now on I'll proceed at leisure when I'm not fishing or bike riding.