Singing to my hallway audience

[PracticalShutIn]

The insulation in our building is average, but the huge weak spot is the door to the hallway.  I don't have a big problem with hearing people out there (although a bit of reduction would be nice).

The problem is that I love to sing along to my music, but am to embarrassed to do it knowing people could be out there listening or giggling.

I do plan on putting weatherstripping foam around the doorway, although that won't be close to enough to make me feel comfortable.  I was considering a 4x8 panel of egg carton foam over the whole inside doorway.  Would that reduce the sound substantially, mainly vocal frequencies?

There is a local place that sells foam but I think it would be really cheap and not made for acoustics.

[Randy S]

egg carton foam is just for absorption not for blocking sound..
you would be better off using our SSP Foam mat in 1" or 2" thickness....
here is the link.

http://shop3.mailordercentral.com/supersoundproofing/prodinfo.asp?number=09-42730

[PracticalShutIn]

Isn't absorption a good thing?  I mean if the sound is absorbed, it won't go into the hallway right?  How does blocking differ?

I asked the local place for NRC rating on their foam but they had no info at all.  They said "people seem to think it works".  It's 2" thick and 4' x 8' for $20.  I'm thinking that's gonna be junk.

[Randy S]

absorption is mainly for acoustic conditioning (reflection and reverberation timing) and sabin timing.

If you can blow air through the material than sound can go through, those open cell foams are best for echo issues. Like in an empty church or gymnasium..

The sound will still go into the hallway, it will just sound better.

Blocking is going to reduce the DB at a greater value hence a greater reduction of sound.
Which is what you want to accomplish.

[Randy S]

NRC is the rating for absorption....you should be asking for STC ratings...the rating for blocking sound...our foam mat is STC 25
Which means it will reduce 20-25db over the average range of frequencies.

[PracticalShutIn]

The sound will still go into the hallway, it will just sound better.

I wouldn't mind sounding better 

I don't understand the weight of the material when it says "weight per foot = 0.5 sqft. / 2.0 lf.".  I am interested because I'm trying to figure out if I could mount it without gluing up the walls (I want to take it with me in the future).

With the quantity box, if I put 2 in there, would it come in one mat that is 2' x 4' or two mats that are 1' x 4'?

[Randy S]

if you put 2 in the box you will receive a 2' x 4' piece. the weight will be 4lbs

[PracticalShutIn]

How much is shipping to Canada?  This could get awfully expensive 

[Randy S]

give us a call and we can provide a shipping quote.

Randy S.
1-888-942-7723