How To Install Mass Loaded Vinyl

People ask "does mass loaded vinyl work for soundproofing" all the time. Well if you are looking to soundproof your home, commercial building, or vehicle, mass loaded vinyl is an excellent option. Information technology's easy to install and volition essentially reduce the airborne noise traveling into any infinite when installed correctly. The installation is straightforward, then you tin can even install the MLV yourself if you're a footling handy and depending on the project!

Nosotros're going to kickoff this article off by reviewing how to install mass loaded vinyl in a room – whether for walls, ceilings, or floors. Towards the cease, nosotros'll overview how to install the MLV in a car, truck, SUV, or van. If you still have questions or just desire to hash out your project, please feel free to reach out to u.s. for mass loaded vinyl installation assistance. Nosotros're here to answer whatsoever questions yous might have!

If you are looking to soundproof your abode, commercial edifice, or vehicle, mass loaded vinyl is an excellent option. It'southward easy to install and will essentially reduce the airborne noise traveling into whatsoever infinite when installed correctly. The installation is straightforward, so y'all can fifty-fifty install the MLV yourself if you're a trivial handy and depending on the project!

We're going to start this article off by reviewing how to install mass loaded vinyl in a room – whether for walls, ceilings, or floors. Towards the cease, we'll overview how to install the MLV in a machine, truck, SUV, or van. If you still have questions or but desire to discuss your project, please feel free to reach out to us for mass loaded vinyl installation aid. Nosotros're here to answer any questions yous might accept!

Where to Install MLV

MLV is an awesome material which can be used anywhere that you want to proceed sound from traveling from our infinite to some other. In your house, car, or business organisation, you can employ MLV to an existing bulwark (or on its own!) and create a quieter, more productive space.

How to install mlv on walls

Walls are the most common place to install mass loaded vinyl in a room. The MLV is typically installed directly to the wood or metallic framing, although information technology can be installed between layers of drywall if needed. Attaching direct to the studs is preferable though because it allows the MLV a chip more flexibility, which slightly increases the amount of sound blocked. At roughly 1/eight" thick, 1lb MLV has a depression profile and volition not bear upon the doors or windows.

Always fill up the crenel betwixt the studs with insulation. The MLV should be mechanically fastened to the studs with a cap stapler or cap nailer. Seal the seams, the perimeter, and around any penetrations with acoustical sealant. For any soundproof wall installation, always utilize v/viii" drywall or a soundproof drywall. Using Green Gum between lays of drywall is also recommended. If you lot're curious on if y'all should apply Greenish Glue vs mass loaded vinyl, and so you should check out our commodity on the subject. A well-sealed wall with a MLV bulwark on one side will have an STC rating between 47 and fifty.

How to install mlv on ceilings

The second nearly common place to install MLV is on the ceiling. For a ceiling MLV installation, it's of import to know what MLV will do and what it won't practise. MLV will not stop impact noise (like footsteps or jumping children) from the floor above. It is fantabulous for stopping airborne noise (like Television noise or people talking). MLV is besides heavy, so your typical DIY project may want to use other soundproofing options, similar a sound isolation clip system. MLV is oftentimes used in combination with other products, like audio isolation clips or a safety flooring underlayment if impact noise is part of the problem.

For how to install mass loaded vinyl on ceiling, it is typically installed in ane of 2 means. The nigh mutual method is directly to the joists with insulation above it and 5/8" drywall below it. This type of install method is very like to the wall installation from the previous section. The second common way MLV is installed for a ceiling installation is above the joists and directly below the subfloor. If installing MLV this way, the mass loaded vinyl should hang a bit loosely betwixt the joists instead of pulled tight. This installation method allows the MLV to maintain it's "limpness", which slightly increases the amount of airborne noise blocked.

How to install mlv on Floors

Mass loaded vinyl can be installed on the floor between layers of plywood or MDF to add density and block more than airborne sound. Installing MLV on the floors is less mutual than other room soundproofing applications, but information technology is thin and constructive way to add audio blocking power to your flooring-ceiling assembly.

For about floor soundproofing applications, we recommend our UnderBlock Condom Underlayment instead of MLV. The 10mm version is also very heavy to block airborne noise, but the recycled rubber has the added benefit of decoupling the floor from the edifice's structure. By isolating the floor, UnderBlock likewise substantially reduces the sound of footsteps and other impact noises from the floor above.

Tips on How to Install MLV

Installing MLV on walls or ceilings is not a hard process, but you need to be methodical to practice the job right. If this is your first time or it's a DIY chore, have your time. And call us if you accept whatever questions!

Pro Tip #1: 100% coverage is absolutely required. To truly soundproof a room, y'all must soundproof all six surfaces – 4 walls, i ceiling, 1 floor. Fifty-fifty if only one wall or one department of the room seems to be transmitting audio, you should not await the room to exist soundproof with merely i wall treated. You lot should only await for sound to be reduced essentially, equally now the sound waves travel along a new path into the room.

Let's say your wall is the best soundproof wall on the planet, the sound is not going to travel through the wall – it's going to go around it! We call this process flanking, which means the sound traveled over, under, or effectually your barrier.

Pro Tip #2: Acoustical sealant is your best friend in whatsoever soundproofing project. Yous must seal the seams, around the perimeter, and around any penetrations. Another common path for sound is for it to "leak" through cracks, gaps, or seams in your barrier. The all-time performing soundproofing barriers must exist both dumbo AND sealed.

Check out our Mass Loaded Vinyl Rolls for Home Soundproofing

Our Luxury Liner Mass Loaded Vinyl is an amazing and versatile soundproofing production. Y'all tin use it on a fence or soundproof generator box, besides as on the walls or ceilings. For any soundproofing project, mass loaded vinyl will aid!

Product Features:

For the ane lb rolls, an STC rating of 26 (similar to a double paned window)
For the 2 lb rolls, an STC rating of 32 (similar to a wall in your house)
Used to soundproof walls, cars, PVC pipes, etc
Flexible, fire resistant, odorless, tear resistant
Made in the USA

Stride by Step Guide for Installing MLV

When installing MLV on ceilings or walls, you will need the MLV (of class!), a tape measure out, utility knife, T-foursquare, acoustic sealant caulk, and your choice of mechanical fastener (either nail gun or a staple gun). If using nails or screws, you should likewise exist using a plastic washer due to the material's weight. MLV should e'er be attached to the building'southward structural framing. Drywall alone will non support the weight. E'er use five/eight" drywall (or meliorate) over the top of MLV.

MLV Install tools

Cap Stapler – 1" long, 5/16" broad with ane" cap (preferred)
Cap Nailer – 1-i/4" nail with plastic washer
Utility Knife
T-Square
Acoustical Sealant
Putty pads (recommended)
Tape Measure

Steps to Install Mass Loaded Vinyl

Measure the pinnacle of the wall. Roll the MLV out on the floor and cutting it at about i/8" less than that pinnacle. Cuts should be made using a utility knife and T-square.
With a helper, lift the MLV sound bulwark and line it up starting at the top corner then that the MLV is straight beyond the ceiling. The gap between the MLV/floor and the MLV/ceiling should be near the aforementioned.
Staple or blast it into the studs every 8". First across the top and then fasten down the length of the studs. The 2nd person should be supporting the weight of the MLV until a handful of mechanical fasteners are in place.
For both sixteen" OC and 24" OC, we recommend an additional nail and washer beyond the top plate every 12".
As y'all hang the MLV, cut holes around outlets, light switches, and other penetrations. Putty pads are recommended around all electrical boxes. Apply your utility knife to cut an opening around each box, with a very small-scale gap (1/8") effectually each penetration.
Continue this procedure for each sail of mass loaded vinyl. When an MLV seam meets at the stud, butt those sheets straight against 1 some other (do not overlap!). When a seam occurs betwixt studs, allow the MLV to overlap by about two". You will need to cutting away this overlap at the meridian and bottom plates to permit the 5/eight" drywall to install flush. All seams should be sealed with acoustical sealant caulk.
Use acoustic caulk to seal all seams, around the perimeter, and effectually whatsoever penetrations in the wall.
Install the 5/8" drywall over the top of your MLV. Use acoustical sealant again around the perimeter and effectually whatsoever penetrations. Remember the pro tip from earlier – acoustical sealant is your all-time friend!