Noise Barrier: A Guide To The Mass Loaded Vinyl

With so many types of soundproofing materials available, it is difficult to choose the one that suits your environment. Closed-cell foam, silent panels, green glue, acoustical caulk, mass loaded vinyl, and sound blankets are some common materials widely used in domestic and commercial projects. Mass loaded vinyl or MLV is one of the most popular soundproofing materials approved for industry standards. If you are looking for a sustainable material to block sound, MLV is a great choice. To get the right product, let’s further discuss the characteristics and different types of MLV.

What is MLV?
Mass Loaded Vinyl is a non-toxic acoustic noise barrier polyvinylchloride (PVC, or vinyl) and high-grade vinyl infused with calcium carbonate or barium salts and silica, which give it mass. The material has been a great option for soundproofing since the 1960s. It has versatile properties that allow the viscous material to flow when subjected to a force and back to its original shape when the force is removed or reversed. This phenomenon makes MLV the perfect material for reducing the sound.

Most soundproofing material dealers sell MLV that don’t have the industry standard. This is why you should buy it from authorized dealers only. If you want to find the best mass loaded vinyl in Boston, visit a dealer that has a team of knowledgeable and experienced members who know how to provide the best possible assistance in choosing a soundproofing system.

Types of MLV
Mass loaded vinyl products are categorized by their thicknesses and weights. Some of the commonly used sizes are 0.5 pounds per square foot and 2 pounds per square foot. The weight usually comes in 1 lb and 2Lb versions. The 1 Lb version has a standalone STC value of 27 STC points which equates to a decibel reduction of 27 dB. Meanwhile, 2Lb version that has a standalone STC value of 32 STC. The values of STC increases when you add batt insulation and 5/8” drywall.

There are two primary polymer bases that are used for making MLV - PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) and Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA). PVC is a naturally rigid product that needs an additive to fix on the wall while EVA is a flexible membrane that can stick on the surface without using adhesive.

To install your mass loaded vinyl soundproofing material any wall or ceiling assembly, you should call the professionals who knows how to use an effective solution to many different noise issues. MLV is ideal for both indoor and outdoor soundproofing projects.

Author's Bio - The writer is an avid online blogger. This article is about Mass Loaded Vinyl.

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alice beth Joined: December 5th, 2019