Metal vs Wood for framing a soundproofing wall

[eezjib]

Hi!

Following much appreciated feedback an a previous post on my designs for a false wall to help soundproof a room I now have one more quick question I would welcome any comments on!

Are there any disadvantages to making the frame for the false wall using a metal frame compared to a wooden one?

I ask as the literature seems to indicate that to build a metal frame is relativly easy (plus the supports are lighter and there is no sawing involved - just tin snips! - my plasterer also suggested this approach over wood!).

I am not sure of any cost implications of this approach over traditional wood so if anyone knows...

Many thanks

James

[thomo99]

i looked into metal but found the system i was looking into required me to fix to the rear walls with the metal, i wanted a room within a room so to speak, so opted for wood as, in my opinion its easir to get fixing to later when you want to fix things like speakers, pictures and rads etc

just my opinion

[Ted White]

Steel will provide better isolation. It flexes a biy more. You get some of the goodness that resilient channel tries to provide.

[baldrick]

Apparently metal 'stud work' is becoming more and more common in new developments? We are building a new house and our electrician commented that this was the first time he's had to use his wood tools in months.

Talking to one of our (plaster board) tackers he was saying that some houses use this metal stuff at the absolute maximum limits, 2" 'studs' at 600mm centres using 15mm board. He said some of the walls just flex if you bump into them!!!

As has been pointed out using timber also gives you strong fixing points!

[eezjib]

Hi!

By the sounds of it metal may be the way to go as the wall will never be supporting shelves or the like (the most on it will be two wall lights!). It should also be a bit easier and quicker to do as there will be less need for all the sawing onvolved with wood!

I will however not push it to the maximum limits, bouncy walls never look good!

Many thanks for all the advice!

James

[Londondecca]

I choose timber for my wall but my constraints were no more than 2" of lost room space. If I did not have this constraint I would buy the metal walls

[Ted White]

I prefer working with timber also. Good to hang pictures on, etc.