How to install Mass Loaded Vinyl on walls Yes, MLV works well for minimizing impact noise on almost any surface, including concrete floors. So the smell often dissipates after a few days of the product being out in the open. The reason behind it is usually the packaging rather than the product itself. Some MLV sheets don’t smell at all ( like the ones I purchased), while others can have a mild “plastic smell”, similar to some cheaper acoustic panels. I prefer using MLV for larger areas and Green Glue for smaller areas. Having said that, Green Glue is more convenient for soundproofing small, hard to reach places, like between electrical outlets and pipes. Green Glue can be a bit messy just like any other soundproofing product in a “spray” or a “tube”. MLV is easier to remove if you need to do it later on. So it mainly depends on which product is more practical. As far as effectiveness is concerned, both are great. However, I would still ask the manufacturer of the specific product before painting it, as there can be slight variations between products.īut latex paint is usually the best solution. For painting MLV it’s best to use latex paint. If you’re interested in the science of it, here is a study performed on MLV flammability. But it would certainly not be the culprit of it, and it’s definitely safer than foam panels and similar soundproofing products. However, it contains plasticizers, so in case of a fire it can catch fire as well. It’s true that exposure to high levels of elemental barium can be toxic, but barium sulfate is inert and insoluble in water, and therefore does not present a health hazard in any way.Īs far as flammability is concerned, Mass Loaded Vinyl is designed for higher temperatures, which is why it’s commonly used to soundproof engine compartments. This claim is a little more than a sales gimmick. This health scare has its origins in advertising strategies that a few soundproofing companies employed in the past.īecause MLV can have either calcium carbonate or barium sulfate as the inert material, some companies use a “barium free” tagline to advertise their products as the safer option. There has been some confusion about the safety of MLV. The middle ground between these two extremes is why it works as well as it does.
On the other hand, if it weren’t elastic enough, vibrations would change its form as they do to fluids like water or honey. If it were too elastic, it would be stiff, and therefore would not be able to absorb the noise well.
The “flow effect” is necessary for the material to absorb vibrations, while its elasticity ensures that it remains stable after this happens. What does all of this mean in practical terms?īasically, MLV exhibits a “flow effect” when it confronts vibrations, while retaining its shape. It’s a combination of polyvinylchloride (PVC, or vinyl) and calcium carbonate or barium sulfate. Mass Loaded Vinyl is a viscoelastic material. But for structure borne noise, a product like MLV is used because it’s better at absorbing vibrations. The usual airborne noise complaints are traffic sounds, and people talking or playing music loudly (without a strong bass, which would fall under the impact noise category).įor airborne sounds, standard products like soundproof foam panels work pretty well. In fact, it usually gets amplified as it passes through.ĭealing with structure-borne noise is different from dealing with airborne noise. It’s called “structure-borne” because it can easily pass through walls, carbon fiber and other common barriers found in homes and vehicles. Impact noise is low frequency, vibration sound produced by drums, engines, boilers, kids jumping on the floor and things of that nature. It’s main purpose is to act as a barrier that dampens structure-borne noise, also known as impact noise. In this article you will find answers to the most common questions that non-professionals have about it.Īlso I will show you how to install it properly in your home or vehicle. The reason behind its popularity is simple and effective application coupled with a modest price. Mass Loaded Vinyl has been the most popular soundproofing materials since the 1960s, and it still is to this very day.
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