How To Get Best Sound If The Church Floor Is Tiled????

[musallio]

Hi there,

I need your help:

Our church building has been completed & needs to be furnished.
The people voted for tiles instead of the carpet on the floor..

So I'm part of the team tasked to find out what can be done to prevent echoes...So far the walls are just bricks & the interior of the main worship area is pretty much rectangular...it's about 1 & 1/2 storeys high & the dimensions are about 80m * 40 (L*B)..

Thanks in advance.

[sjonathan02]

Your church NEEDS carpet.

[JustBecause]

lay down some carpet... LMBO!!!!!!!!!

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

It's pretty much done.  They cared more about the look that the acoustics.  I'm sure most of the tile fans are non-musicians right?  I trip off how folks think you can just fix stuff in other ways than the obvious.


 Let's just say that the cheapest alternative would be carpet.  You could maybe try carpeting the walls if they just have to have the tile.  Also, they do manufacture carpet tiles.  Good luck.

[3rd-Day]

Hi there,

I need your help:

Our church building has been completed & needs to be furnished.
The people voted for tiles instead of the carpet on the floor..

So I'm part of the team tasked to find out what can be done to prevent echoes...So far the walls are just bricks & the interior of the main worship area is pretty much rectangular...it's about 1 & 1/2 storeys high & the dimensions are about 80m * 40 (L*B)..

Thanks in advance.

Nevernind the sound. Tile floors in a church.  Aint that a safety hazzard?? If someone fell out in spirit and the ushers aint on top of their game, they could bust their head. And God forbid if somebody decides they feel like running around the church, they can slip on that tile and bust both knee caps and a rib.  Yall must plan on wearing sneakers with the suits and skirts like the 80s!

[themidiroom]

Hi there,

I need your help:

Our church building has been completed & needs to be furnished.
The people voted for tiles instead of the carpet on the floor..

So I'm part of the team tasked to find out what can be done to prevent echoes...So far the walls are just bricks & the interior of the main worship area is pretty much rectangular...it's about 1 & 1/2 storeys high & the dimensions are about 80m * 40 (L*B)..

Thanks in advance.

How much money is available?  You could have sound absorbing panels installed on the walls.  You would need a LOT of them however.    You can also install a similar type of panel on the ceiling or a series of baffle type pannels which would hang from the ceiling.  All of these options can be really expensive for a large building.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

Nevernind the sound. Tile floors in a church.  Aint that a safety hazzard?? If someone fell out in spirit and the ushers aint on top of their game, they could bust their head. And God forbid if somebody decides they feel like running around the church, they can slip on that tile and bust both knee caps and a rib.  Yall must plan on wearing sneakers with the suits and skirts like the 80s!

I was thinking that too.  And let's not forget how slick and dirty it will get when it rains.  Not everybody wipes their shoes when they come into a building.  I can hear it now.  Hey there Sister Jo.....SPLATTTT!!!!!!!!!

[T-Block]

I hope your church got a looooootttttt of insurance money, cuz yall gonna need it.

[3rd-Day]

I hope your church got a looooootttttt of insurance money, cuz yall gonna need it.

Say word!

[uriahsmusic]

...I would sit who is ever making the decisions down NOW.......before they make any more decisions....and explain to them that building should be done as a complete vision!..each  part fullfilling a purpose!!!...Even if things are done fare apart.....they are gunna pay 10 times more trying to fix each decision that is not well thought out!
....they need to stop, drop and roll....now!

[themidiroom]

I hope your church got a looooootttttt of insurance money, cuz yall gonna need it.

They probably aren't sue happy in South Africa like they are here in the states.  Only in America   

[3rd-Day]

Their praise breaks are gonna sound like River Dancing!! Not to mention the sound of hard shoes on the floor anytime somebody gets up to walk. Im with Uriah sit them down now.
*Simon Cowell Voice* The acoustics are going to be bloody horrible.

[Mysteryman]

Nevernind the sound. Tile floors in a church.  Aint that a safety hazzard?? If someone fell out in spirit and the ushers aint on top of their game, they could bust their head. And God forbid if somebody decides they feel like running around the church, they can slip on that tile and bust both knee caps and a rib.  Yall must plan on wearing sneakers with the suits and skirts like the 80s!

LOL. That's what I was thinking. Sort of.

[Mysteryman]

How much money is available?  You could have sound absorbing panels installed on the walls.  You would need a LOT of them however.    You can also install a similar type of panel on the ceiling or a series of baffle type pannels which would hang from the ceiling.  All of these options can be really expensive for a large building.

Two words: Egg cartons.  Joking.

[BigFoot_BigThumb]

I have an idea.  They should start a tap dancing ministry.

[T-Block]

They probably aren't sue happy in South Africa like they are here in the states.  Only in America   

I was gonna say something, but I'm gonna keep it to myself.

[LaylaMonroe]

...I would sit who is ever making the decisions down NOW.......before they make any more decisions....and explain to them that building should be done as a complete vision!..each  part fullfilling a purpose!!!...Even if things are done fare apart.....they are gunna pay 10 times more trying to fix each decision that is not well thought out!
....they need to stop, drop and roll....now!

I agree.

If I were you, and in this situation here in the US, I would have a sound expert come and prepare an estimate of what it would cost to achieve optimal sound (or whatever the correct lingo is) in that particular building with tiled floors.  I would then present a formal recommendation to the pastor and/or Board of Directors, along with the expert's estimate.

I've been faced with similar situations (although I was on the other side of the issue).  When musicians or other folks who know their craft better than I do come to me with hard-core facts, substantiated by other experts, it's hard for me to ignore an expert opinion, to opt for what I think LOOKS better or costs less.

[under13]

I hope your church got a looooootttttt of insurance money, cuz yall gonna need it.

The people should have to sign a release before they decide run around the church, like its a marathon or somthin



Are wood floors just as bad? My church has stone walls and very high ceilings so the acoustics arent that good for drums and stuff.

One church I go to had the walls specially made to have good acoustics. You dont even need a mic to talk and every on will hear you.

I agree.

If I were you, and in this situation here in the US, I would have a sound expert come and prepare an estimate of what it would cost to achieve optimal sound (or whatever the correct lingo is) in that particular building with tiled floors.  I would then present a formal recommendation to the pastor and/or Board of Directors, along with the expert's estimate.

I've been faced with similar situations (although I was on the other side of the issue).  When musicians or other folks who know their craft better than I do come to me with hard-core facts, substantiated by other experts, it's hard for me to ignore an expert opinion, to opt for what I think LOOKS better or costs less.

Some churches could care less about stuff like that, and dont consult the people who know about music. Some are too cheap to pay for it and sadly many congregations dont have people who know about that kinda stuff. But you get what you pay for.

[Mysteryman]

I have an idea.  They should start a tap dancing ministry.

LOL 

[themidiroom]

I've been in a few churches that were tiled that had pretty decent acoustics.  Your issue is that all of your surfaces are hard and therefore reflective.  You're going to have to soften up your walls or ceiling to cut down on the decay time.  There's also asthetics to consider.  A lot of churches frown on the look of acoustic panels and baffles.  I agree with LaRue.  Let them know your thoughts and insist on having a consultant come in and make suggestions and then get the cost and see if they are willing to do it the right way.