drum enclosure

drum shield, done right.

complete guide: supplies, cut lists, and step-by-step for the riser, shield, and lid.

the skinny

best looking, best sounding enclosure—no $15k kit required. expect ~18db reduction and a near-seamless look when finished.

build order: riser → shield → lid. choose your door side (left/right) before you begin and mirror these steps as needed.

pro tip: have your acrylic supplier cut to the sizes in the cut sheet; most hardware stores will also cut lumber and trim.

tools & supplies

tools

  • drill w/ robertson & 1/8", 1/4" bits
  • construction stapler
  • multi-tool or jig saw (for hinge notches in acrylic)
  • chop / miter saw
  • utility knife & scissors
  • paint supplies

supplies

  • riser: (8) 96" 2×4, (2) 96"×48" ¾" plywood, flat black latex, #8 3" screws, PL adhesive, flat black spray, (4) 96" lengths ½" aluminum U channel, #8 1.5" screws
  • shield: (4) 96"×72" ½" clear acrylic, (3) ½" glass shower corner brackets, (2) ½" glass shower door hinges
  • lid: (10) 1×2×96", (8) batts 1.5" roxul comfortboard 80, lepage spray adhesive, ~32 ft of 60" black fabric, (4) 96" lengths ½" aluminum J trim

cut lists

wood

  • (2) 2×4 @ 96"
  • (6) 2×4 @ 93"
  • (2) plywood @ 96"×48"
  • (8) 1×2 @ 94"
  • (6) 1×2 @ 24"
  • (2) 1×2 @ 16"

u-trim (aluminum)

  • (3) @ 94"
  • (1) @ 70"

acrylic

  • (2) 95"×72"
  • (1) 94"×72"
  • (1) 70"×72"
  • (1) 24"×72"

j-trim (aluminum)

  • (2) @ 94"
  • (6) @ 25.5"
  • (2) @ 17.5"

the riser

begin with 96" 2×4s as header/footer. use 93" 2×4s as studs at 16" o.c.; fasten with (2) 3" screws each end. ensure square framing.
run PL along every stud/header/footer. lay (2) sheets ¾" plywood on the frame; keep square and fasten with 3" screws ~every 18". you now have a 96"×96" riser.
pre-drill if needed. spray flat black before install if desired. fasten 1.5" screws through the bottom of the U:
  • front: 94", ½" back from edge, 1" in from each side
  • rear: 94", ½" in from edge, 1" in from each side
  • side A: 94", ½" in, 1" from front & back
  • side B: 70", ½" in, 1" from front; leaves a 24" gap for the door
coat the riser flat black and let dry fully.

the shield

install front, first side, and rear acrylic; do the door side last. make sure your door swings outward.

lay the 70"×72" and 24"×72" acrylic sheets flat. using the hinge template, mark holes and cut hinge notches. orient for door swing; place hinges ~18" from top and bottom. install and test swing.
set a 95"×72" acrylic in the front U-channel. place a corner bracket ~36" up; mark, drill, and fasten to the front sheet.
set the 94"×72" acrylic in the side U-channel; slide tight to the front panel. keep joint tight; fasten the shared corner bracket; then secure the side sheet.
set another 95"×72" acrylic at the rear; slide to meet the side sheet. keep joint tight; fasten the shared bracket to lock rear to side.
fasten your final corner bracket to the front sheet at ~36". place the hinged 70"+24" door assembly in the remaining side U-channel. slide the 70" section tight to the front; fasten the shared bracket. confirm smooth outward swing.
ensure the door clears and swings outward cleanly before the lid.

the lid (4 panels — no acrylic)

four lightweight absorption panels: 1×2 frames + roxul comfortboard 80 + black fabric + aluminum J-trim riding the acrylic edges.

take (8) 24"×48" batts; trim length to 46.25". then trim (2) of those to 16" width (for the narrow panel).
lay two batts end-to-end. place (2) 1×2×94" along sides and (2) 1×2×24" at ends. spray adhesive on inside 1×2s and batt sides; when tacky, sandwich the batts. fasten end 24" pieces through the 94"s with 3" screws (pre-drill). run 3" screws ~every 18" around edges into batts. repeat for four panels; the last uses 16" end pieces and 16" batt widths.
on a table, roll out ~8 ft of 60" fabric. place panel; pull tight; staple along 1×2 edges. trim cleanly. repeat.
pre-drill the long leg every ~18". on two 25.5"×94" roof panels, fasten a 94" J along one long edge; add 25.5"/16" J pieces to short edges where needed. use 1.5" screws.
place one long-edge-J panel over the front acrylic and both side tops. place the two center panels next (no long J). finish with the remaining long-edge-J panel at the rear. slight “massage” may be needed if frames aren’t perfectly square.

you may tweak dimensions to fit your room—this guide gives you the roadmap without the $15k price tag.