Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Soundproofing with Tectum

[MWorswick (MWorswick]

Let me throw in couple more examples of Tectum application that illustrate 
cost saving and simplified installation in common houses.

At Harmony Village in Golden, CO, our budget was tight and we already had a 
multi-level ceiling (vaulted and flat combo) that helped with noise abatement. 
So, we decided not to pay for the tectum installation initially.  After a 
couple of years of using the space, and realizing that big parties and events 
in 
the vaulted space were indeed accoustically uncomfortable, we decided to go 
ahead and do the installation ourselves.

It was a pretty big project, but we had several construction savvy members 
that built scaffolding, and put up the (1.5" x 2' x 12' tongue & groove edged) 
panels over several weekends.  By using this sweat equity labor, our total 
costs were only around $2 / sq.ft. to complete the project.  By the way, the 
tongue & groove connection between panels eliminates the need for wood trim to 
cover the joint, and in my opinion, has a more refined looking finished 
appearance.

Another example is the common house at Heartwood in Bayfield, which I also 
designed.  We used large wood beams to span over the entry, dining, and sitting 
rooms.  To maximize the exposure of the wood beams, and to simplify the roof 
construction, we ordered an integrated roofing panel.  These "structural 
insulated panels" or SIPS combined the roof sheathing (on the top), rigid 
insulation 
(in the middle), and tectum finish (on the bottom) all into one piece.  I 
believe they were placed with a crane, and care had to be taken not to damage 
the 
tectum.  But what would usually be three different operations, and 
subcontractors (framing, insulation, and finish), was accomplished in one step. 
 

The finished product is very attractive - once again I specified a tongue & 
groove connection between (4' x 8') panels, and also groves on 8" centers to 
simulate the wood panelling that we used in other ceilings in the building.  As 
other folks have said, you would have to check pricing for the (SIPS version 
of) tectum.  But if you're considering an open beam design with tectum finish, 
this can be a good way to go.

Quiet Regards!

Matt Worswick
Synergy Design
Resident of Harmony Village, CO
Designer / Co-designer of 6 Colorado Cohousing communities


In a message dated 05/13/2004 4:16:27 AM Mountain Daylight Time, 
cohousing-l-request [at] cohousing.org writes:

> Message: 6
>  Date: Wed, 12 May 2004 12:46:02 -0400
>  From: Sharon Villines <sharon [at] sharonvillines.com>
>  Subject: Re: [C-L]_ Soundproofing with Tectum
>  To: Developing cohousing - collaborative housing communities
>   <cohousing-l [at] cohousing.org>
>  Message-ID: <DA8F5EA4-A433-11D8-AFE1-000393BD077E [at] sharonvillines.com>
>  Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed
>  
>  
>  On May 12, 2004, at 11:58 AM, Elizabeth Stevenson wrote:
>  
>  > If it's done at the time of
>  > construction, wouldn't that lower the cost significantly?
>  
>  A good point. We had trouble finding an installer because they are used 
>  to working with architects. They don't want to mess with "retail" 
>  sales. $10,000 would still be the best number for planning.
>  
>  Sharon