I’m remodeling our 18.5′ x 28′ greatroom with a barrel vault ceiling spanning it’s width. The arches are made with steel fles-c track sections and the ceiling joist are tied into the scissor trusses about every eight feet. We have most of the sheetrock on the ceiling but none on the mostly windowed walls yet. Two issues. The echo is pretty serious…is this normal barrel vault acoustics? We plan on putting in hardwood floors, which will only add to the echo. Furniture and area ruggs will help, but will the echo still be a problem? Also, the sheet rockers are leaving bigger gaps than I do when I do the job myself, say up to 1/2″. I’m wanting to do everything I can to keep it from cracking in the future… using expandable inside corner beads and a mud additive to increase adhesion. Should I be concerned about the 1/2″ gaps?
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Yes, barrel vaults are a nightmare for acoustics. There's a Greek Orthodox church here that has one, I'd guess about 60 x 100 ft. They have little speakers all over the place, and the person speaking has to be just inches from the microphone.
-- J.S.
The rotunda in the Harrisburg PA ag center has a spot in the center where I believe every surface reflects back directly - any word whispered there sounds like a megaphone - its really incredible.
I am guessing your barrel vault plays with sound similarly. Furniture and rugs will kill most of it. I bet the barrel vault looks great & is worth dealing with the echo.
Thanks for the encouragement. I don't think there is an easy answer, but I'm going full steam ahead with the project and just try to adapt and overcome the echo if it's too big of a problem.
Brett
Any furniture and wall hangings and rugs and such will help re-direct sound waves. But that won't really help with the ceiling. There is a special type of fabric wall that is designed for accoustic applications. It might be expensive, and too late, but if you can't live with some echo, it might be worth a look.
"Any furniture and wall hangings and rugs and such will help re-direct sound waves. But that won't really help with the ceiling. There is a special type of fabric wall that is designed for accoustic applications. It might be expensive, and too late, but if you can't live with some echo, it might be worth a look."
There was an episode of This Old House a few years back where they built a music room with a barrel vault ceiling. I'm pretty sure they used that fabric wall stuff, although I don't remember just how they applied it to the curved surfaces.
"although I don't remember just how they applied it to the curved surfaces."
with lots of $100 bills, like the rest of that project! <G>
http://jhausch.blogspot.comAdventures in Home BuildingAn online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.
I would assume that there is some sort of concealed hardware, and that the fabric is panelized and attached. That being said, I bet there were a few dollars flying around!