Inconsistent thickness, which can reduce the mass per square foot and reduce the effectiveness of your MLV sound barrierĬan be more brittle and less flexible. If you get the cheap-o MLV, some of the problems you can run into are: We are a fan of recycling, but it's important to make sure you're getting the best quality if its going into your living spaces. Most MLV products are made from recycled goods. Mass loaded vinyl is commonly used to improve the Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating of an assembly in both residential and commercial soundproofing projects. The MLV must be installed with 100% coverage (no air gaps) and is most commonly used as part of a wall or ceiling assembly. Mass loaded vinyl is a cost-effective, simple to install solution for soundproofing, or stopping noise from traveling between two spaces. RSIC clips should be installed with 25 gauge hat channel, 5/8” drywall, and sealed around the perimeter with acoustical sealant. What is are common alternatives to mass loaded vinyl?Ī sound isolation clip system is always a higher performing option than mass loaded vinyl for wall and ceiling applications, as it will deliver superior STC and IIC ratings. The drywall can then be painted or covered for whatever décor fits the room. You should install 5/8” drywall over the top of mass loaded vinyl, after sealing the perimeter and around any penetrations with acoustical sealant. We have a whole article on how to install mass loaded vinyl as well as specific install steps on our Luxury Liner MLV roll page.Ĭommonly Asked MLV Questions What do you put over mass loaded vinyl? A successfully MLV soundproofing project mostly comes down to being methodical about properly covering the application area. Sound behaves like water, and will “leak” through any openings in your MLV sound barrier. There’s one general rule, which is to install it with 100% coverage and seal all seams and gaps. The exact process for installing mass loaded vinyl depends on the application. Other Examples of Mass Loaded Vinyl Soundproofing Because it’s so heavy, MLV should be adhered with an extremely strong adhesive (like vinyl contact cement for vehicle applications) or fastened with screws and washers, staples, nails, or reinforced grommets. For the best aesthetics, the MLV should be concealed behind another material – but you can leave it exposed too if the looks don’t matter. Residential applications include a generator sound box, to soundproof a door, and even to build a DIY sound barrier fence around your air conditioner. For outdoor applications, we recommend upgrading to a reinforced mass loaded vinyl to extend the life of the material. We do not recommend mass loaded vinyl for floor soundproofing, where you should use our UnderBlock rubber underlayment instead. It’s extremely effective for commercial use across a variety of projects, and often used to reduce noise transmission in in soundproofing ceilings, walls, machinery enclosures, ductwork, fencing, and HVAC or generator enclosures. Any gaps or seams should be sealed with acoustical sealant and foil tape.īecause mass loaded vinyl is flexible, it’s the ideal noise blocking material to fit around the contours of a vehicle to block airborne engine, tire, and road noise. The MLV is attached directly to the studs or joists with 100% coverage, except for small cutouts for outlet boxes, light switches and any other penetrations. Mass loaded vinyl is most commonly used in commercial buildings as part of a soundproof wall or ceiling assembly. One of the most common uses for MLV is soundproofing walls. MLV is odorless, heat resistant, waterproof, tear resistant, and has a high STC rating for effective noise blocking. It’s most often bought in large rolls, but Second Skin also sells sheets because they’re much easier to ship and some projects need less square footage. Mass loaded vinyl is typically colored black with a density between 1 lb and 2 lbs per square foot. Manufactured from PVC vinyl that has been compounded with inert materials to increase density, MLV is well suited for automotive, industrial, and building applications. Safer than lead and denser than drywall, mass loaded vinyl is a high density, limp material that’s engineered to be an effective sound barrier. Mass loaded vinyl (or MLV) is an acoustical barrier that blocks sound wave transmission to provide excellent noise reduction.
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