KVR Audio

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Wed Jul 13, 2011 6:56 am

I need some quick feedback on this, since I'm short before ordering the final parts of my studio (re)built: the studio window.

Rough data:
The studio window is 120x65x20cm in size, sans the frame and foam to mount it "floating". I will create two wooden frames to make them indepentend from each other (due to the vibrations induced by sonic waves). The windows will be glued in/sealed with transparent silicone.

The windows themselves are planned to be 6mm and 8mm in terms of thickness (else 5mm and 6mm) so that they will respond to different frequencies (resonate different). Both windows will be mounted slightly diagonal of course. But not in the common known "V" shape, but in the more rare "A" shape.

The only real problem I have at the moment is:
What type of window to go for - Glass or Macrolon (a PVC type).

Glass is more stable, but heavier. It can also break easily if not treated well, or if you're out of luck while doing a transport, mounting it into the frame, etc. But it's simple to clean.

I have barely any experience with Macrolon. But since it's a PVC type, it's lighter but not necessarily as stiff, it doesn't break easily (so it's simpler to handle in terms of builds) - you would need a saw or high heat to do so. But I don't know about cleaning this type of window, scratchmarks, etc.

So yeah, has anybody any experience in building a (DIY) studio window and could give some quick feedback?

vanlugh · Post by **vanlugh** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:49 pm

Macrolon might be less rigid than glass. May you should consider glass with several sheets to avaoid breakage => expensive, like armoured windows

Rock Hardbuns · Post by **Rock Hardbuns** » Tue Oct 04, 2011 10:34 pm

Laminated glass is what people usually use. There's even special sound dampening versions of it but I think that would be overkill given the two layers. One 6.38 and one 8.38 would probably be quite sufficient.

Macrolon may have better dampening properties though, given that it's softer. However, I think it suffers from the same problem as all plastics, it only looks perfectly clear for so long. After a few years you'll want to replace it.

Compyfox · Post by **Compyfox** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 10:17 am

I actually asked the same Q over at another board (GS) in the Acoustic's section. I was recommended to use glass at around 6mm and/or 8mm or higher due to the larger mass than Macrolone. And the Glass needs to fit or has to be higher than the mass of the drywall I used. Glass even costs less on the long run.

Unfortunately I couldn't finish my studio rebuilt so far due to several random reasons, so I can't post any results.

But thanks for the contribution.

Studio Window - Glass or Macrolon?