Replies

1. 
   pauldowns | Oct 12, 2004 01:02am | #1

   You can buy a dozen moving blankets for about $120. Hang them on the walls and from the ceiling - might help. I don't know about their flammability though.

   Good Luck!

   http://www.talcospecialties.com/movingpads.htm

2. 
   CRAIGCONEY_M | Oct 12, 2004 01:04am | #2

   Wendy,

   Most classrooms here in Southern California ( in my area atleast )have a soundboard with fabric applied over it that is glued onto the walls using construction adhesive and is held at the top edge using aluminum channel.  It is also used as a tackboard and comes in various colors.  Standard sheet size is 4x8, 4x10, 4x12.  Sorry, the trade name of the product escapes my memory at the moment.... hope this helps. 

   One other thing to consider is if the material you hang on the walls of your classroom meets fire retardant requirements.  I remember not too long ago alot of people were killed in a night club fire because the foam used for acoustics caught fire.....

   
   

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   Edited 10/11/2004 6:12 pm ET by craig

3. 
   WayneL5 | Oct 12, 2004 01:19am | #3

   Carpets don't actually help much.  Are there acoustic ceilings?  If not, it would help a lot.

   Unfortunately, nearly all commercial sound dampening materials are pricey.  Probably one of those things if you gotta have, they got you.

   If acoustic ceiling is not possible, there are industrial sound absorbing shapes that can be hung.  They are usually panels that are hung vertically all over the ceiling (like banners in an arena) or hollow cylinders.  They are expensive, though.

   For walls, various companies make acoustic panels.  They have a dense fiberglass core and are covered in fabric.  Used in high-end commercial buildings.  Their price is very high, though.

   There are also spray materials that must be professionally applied.  They are made of fireproof cellulose so are very safe, but they do shed a bit over many years' time.  Also expensive.  Can only be used on ceilings or walls above where people can reach, otherwise it would get picked off.

   You might be able to make your own panels by using spray adhesive, and adhering fabric to the back side of fiberglass ceiling tiles, and hang them on the walls.  Of course, the fabric and dried adhesive must be fire resistant.

   If you are talking about a public school, the engineer or architect should design a solution.  If not, you'll get better value by just buying acoustic absorbing materials rather than spending money on consulting.

   Earplugs are cheap.

1. 
   gstringe | Oct 12, 2004 04:35am | #4

   Commercial carpet. The kind with heavy rubber cushion pad as part of the carpet. Glue it to the walls. Great sound absorber and can be used a bulletin board as well. Doesn't scratch, mar or need painting. You just better be willing to keep your first choice for a long time.

   Carpet on the floor is a requirement. Ceiling acoustical tile is also a wise choice.

   Deadening the sound within a room requires absorbing the sound and stopping it from reflecting or bouncing off of hard surfaces. Light fluffy materials like heat insulation do not do well as sound absorbers.

4. 
   SawdustSteve | Oct 12, 2004 04:03pm | #5

   Hi Wendy... I understand your problem. You don't want anything permanent or expensive because next year administration will probably move you to another classroom. Go to Home Despot and purchase sheets of homasote (sp?) board. Some people call it 'train-board'. It looks like compressed grey newspaper. It's cheap. It will absorb sound nicely. Do NOT paint it. Paint will kill the sound absorbing quality. Staple cloth over it. It's a GREAT tack board. Or... get the school to supply you with cork-boards for the room. (Yea... they love to spend $$ on things that make a teachers life a bit easier). Depending on the grade you teach, if the kids can make some sort of 'hanging flags' (Coat-of-Arms) from textiles, they make nice sound absorbers. It also makes the classroom look more cheery. Been there, done that, got the t-shirt. SawdustSteve