How To Reduce Noise With Mlv Mass Loaded Vinyl Soundproofing

Noise is a common problem that affects both home owners and businesses.

Noise-induced mental stress can be the cause of increased stress hormone levels, blood pressure, and heart rate, which in turn favour the development of cerebrocardiovascular disease such as stroke, arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and myocardial infarction. Furthermore, traffic noise exposure is also associated with mental health symptoms and psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety.

Noise can be disruptive to a peaceful home or cause productivity at work to suffer, so it's important to find a solution that works.

One soundproofing solution that can be effective at blocking noise from airborne sound is mass loaded vinyl (MLV) which offers excellent soundproofing performance.

This blog provides an overview of the different types of soundproofing materials, their benefits, drawbacks, as well as tips for choosing the right soundproofing material for your project.

MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl) is a popular soundproofing material that can be used by both professionals and the DIYer. With the right tools, anyone can block sound waves with ease using MLV. Basic tools such as cutting instruments, measuring tools, hammer, roofing nails and caulk or another adhesive are all that's needed for most installations. Soundproofing MLV offers a wide range of products suitable for small DIY projects to larger professional installations, making it accessible to everyone.

Is MLV the excellent product that many pundits make it out to be? By reading this guide, you'll be able to make an informed decision about the best sound control methods and soundproofing materials for your home or commercial building project.

MLV is available ex-stock from our Johannesburg warehouse. We deliver to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and every other major business centre and town.

Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) is a barrier material used to reduce sound transmission in lightweight building structures such as drywalls, false ceilings and timber floors. It is a heavy, high density rubberised material that is limp and flexible.

It is known as mass loaded vinyl because it is made up of many small (pvc) granules that have been compressed & bonded together to achieve a significant amount of mass in a thin, viscoelastic membrane. The dense mass of the product is key to its ability to attenuate sound.

It is made up of materials such as salts, sands, and tiny metal particles that help reduce sound transmission. Unlike lead-based materials, MLV does not carry the stigma associated with toxicity and environmental concerns.

With it's ability to effectively block sound while being an eco-friendly option, MLV has gained popularity among homeowners and commercial spaces alike.

"Andrew and the team at Genesis Acoustics gave me a great service. Being friendly, fast in communicating and responding to questions about the products and services it was a pleasure to deal with them. They met the delivery deadlines and everything was in order.

I bought LF125 panels and Flexible Noise Barrier from them to soundproof the enclosure for my petrol generator. It was easy to work with the material and cover the interior of the enclosure. The noise from the generator reduced by more than half and is like that of a small inverter generator."

Simon Bezuidenhout

Container homes & timber homes rely on lightweight building techniques and therefore stand to gain the mosts from the use of soundproofing. Solid brick walls have better soundproofing however single brick walls and lightweight ceilings will still benefit. The kinds of rooms within homes that will particularly benefit from soundproofing are: TV Rooms, home cinema rooms, bedrooms, home study, home gym, generator room. As a backing for noise barriers, to be used around a noisy generator.

Noise is a major issue for many people, and mass loaded vinyl (MLV) is a versatile soundproofing material that can help reduce noise levels or keep the noise from coming into your home. MLV is an effective soundproofing solution for a variety of applications like homeowners who want to reduce noise levels or keep the noise from coming into their homes, MLV is an effective solution that will help you reduce noise levels and improve your overall quality of life.

When soundproofing a structures such as a drywall, ceiling or timber floor it's good to know that MLV is effective at blocking sound from entering or exiting the room, so occupants on either side will benefit.

A typical point of noise ingress into bedrooms is through the ceiling. Normally ceilings are made from light weight building materials such as 6-9mm thick board with a very low density, low mass thermal insulation, loose laid over the top of the ceiling, in between the joists.

Low mass = poor sound insulation.

Including a layer of MLV with make a huge difference to the acoustic performance. The types of noise problems people face in bedrooms are a lack of privacy, traffic noise, music from a noisy neighbour having a late night party, barking dogs etc.

It's so much fun watching an awesome movie but to really feel like you're part of the action the volume needs to be turned up to a level that adds to the intensity.

Home cinema rooms are often used late at night when others in the home are resting, sleeping, studying or chilling with friends. The load sounds coming from these rooms may cause a disturbance to others in the home, especially if there are young children.

In the context of home cinema's MLV has another unique benefit as well. Normally we focus on the sound isolation benefit of MLV but did you know that it can be very useful in the sound deadening of low frequency sound waves as well. In the industry we call this bass trapping. When a room is properly bass trapped then you get better, more well defined low end sound which is especially beneficial as most home cinemas run bass subs to boost the bass.

Chat with one of our consultants to find out more about acoustically treating your home cinema.

If you live in a duplex then you live in close proximity to those around you. This is all good and well until the noise from your neighbour starts bothering you. If it only happens occasionally then it can be overlooked but if it happens regularly or even daily then the problem must be resolved.

The noise issues generally arise because of poor construction methods one or more of the following three areas:

Shared wall
Shared roof / ceiling cavity i.e. the wall does not extend to roof height
Plumbing inside the wall that was never acoustically insulated

The main issue in offices and corporate spaces is confidentiality. What is discussed behind closed doors, needs to stay in the meeting room. The last thing you need is confidential information being overheard in the passageway, reception or adjacent rooms. Even if the information is not confidential, it would be difficult and counterproductive to hold a meeting in one room while also hearing what's going on in the adjacent spaces. In order for the rooms to function as they should a certain degree of soundproofing is required, I recommend an STC 40 - 45 for office spaces.

Density
Thickness of the individual materials, and the structure as a whole
Size of the internal void of the structure e.g. a drywall
What type of material fills the void (if any)
Isolation / decoupling of the structure from the rest of the adjacent building elements to create separation and avoid flanking sound issues.
Elasticity / rigidity of the individual materials and the structure as a whole.
The frequency and intensity of the sound being transmitted. Different types of sound / noise will require different types of soundproofing - there is no "one size fits all" solution.

If we place a person on either end of a 6m long flag pole and one person taps the end with a piece of metal, the vibrations and thus the resonance will be conducted very efficiently through the rigid pipe and the sound will be easily heard by the person on the other side. However, if the same experiment was conducted with a length of MLV no sound at all would be conducted through the material to the opposite side. This is because the limp mass does not easily conduct vibration and thus the sound is thus very quickly dispersed because the audible energy is lost very close the source.

Mass law says that for each doubling of the weight of a wall or the sound's frequency, sound insulation will increase 6 dB.

Mass law provides a guide in terms of the level of sound attenuation relative to the mass of a structure. In principle, the greater the mass of a material, the more effective it is at attenuating sound waves. This is because the mass of a material acts as a barrier, diminishing the sound energy passing through it.

MLV has a very high mass-to-area ratio, which makes it particularly effective at blocking sound waves and reducing noise transmission through the structure.

In terms of effectiveness, MLV is widely accepted and considered to be a high performance soundproofing material but can the soundproofing performance be measured? The level of sound isolation can be quantified and expressed as a number. Depending on the geographical location of the supplier this rating is generally either STC or Rw. A more comprehensive explanation of the two systems follows below.

Depending on the thickness and formulation of the product, MLV typically has an STC rating of between 20-35.

Here Are Some Examples For Context:

STC 31: Hollow drywall with 12,5mm thick gypsum board on either side of the framing
STC 40: Adding a layer of MLV to the same hollow drywall could increase the STC by about 9dBA. This result would depend on the thickness of the MLV used.

The STC rating is determined through laboratory testing, in which a noise source is placed on one side of a material or construction assembly and the sound pressure level is measured on the other side. The difference between the two measurements is then used to calculate the STC rating, which is expressed as a number on a scale from 0 to 100.

It's important to note that the the test results obtained in a lab are obtained in ideal, controlled conditions and that in real world conditions the results are typically lower. This is due to other many factors such as higher ambient sound levels, imperfect seals around doors and windows, different structural elements in the same with inconsistent levels of soundproofing, all of which will influence the overall result.

STC ratings are used in the design and construction of buildings to ensure that noise levels within the building are acceptable for the intended use.

For example, rooms with an office building may have STC ratings to ensure that sound transmission between adjacent work spaces do not cause a disturbance and levels within the building are low enough to allow for concentration. In a hotel STC ratings of the walls, ceiling, doors between rooms must ensure confidentiality and the ability of the guests to relax and sleep without being disturbed by other guests or activity in the hotel.

The Rw (Weighted Sound Reduction Index) is a measure of the sound insulation of a building element, such as a wall or floor/ceiling assembly. It is used to describe how well a material or construction assembly can reduce the transmission of sound from one room to another.

The higher the Rw rating, the better the material or construction assembly is at blocking sound.

The Rw rating is determined through laboratory testing, in which a noise source is placed on one side of a material or construction assembly, and the sound pressure level is measured on the other side. The difference between the two measurements is then used to calculate the Rw rating, which is expressed as a number on a scale from 0 to 100.

Rw ratings are used in the design and construction of buildings to ensure that noise levels within the building are acceptable for the intended use. For example, an office building may have higher Rw ratings to ensure that noise levels within the building are low enough to allow for concentration, while a hotel may need Rw ratings to ensure sufficient confidentiality between adjacent guest suites.

MLV is a solution that can be used effectively for soundproofing in both residential and commercial settings. Noise is one of the biggest challenges faced by home owners and commercial establishments. Blocking sound waves before they reach your ears is the key to reducing noise levels. That's where MLV soundproofing material comes in.

MLV is included in the construction of the walls, ceilings and under timber floors. This reduces noise levels by blocking sound waves before they reach your ears. MLV can be used in homes or commercial applications, like restaurants and nightclubs.

Some suppliers of MLV advocate the use of barrier tape along all seams where it butts together, however if the MLV is overlapped (about 10cm is sufficient) and the overlapped area is properly fastened then tape is not necessary.

The void inside the stud and track should also be filled with a suitable sound insulation for optimum results.

Avoid the typical low density thermal insulation typically laid over ceilings, this type of insulation does not have sufficient rigidity and mass so when used inside a wall they will slump leaving an open area at the top of the wall with no insulation.

Having used many types of insulation for soundproofing over the years I recommend Rockwool. It's higher in density than the low density thermal insulation and well suited to soundproofing projects and is non-flammable. You can check it out here

The overall wall thickness will also have an impact of the ability of the wall to stop sound. The deeper the cavity the better the overall level of sound insulation.

A 50mm wide stud is considered nominal and fine only for regular office type applications.
A 100mm stud is a starting point for any decent level out sound attenuation.
Two adjacent stud & track frames, separated by an airspace is necessary for rooms like recording studios, radio stations etc. The airspace between the frames serves to acoustically decouple the wall and break the sound path.

The efficient sealing of all perimeter gaps.
Soundproofing any weak point within the wall such as plug points & light switches.
The doors or windows in the wall must possess the same level our soundproofing as the drywall itself.
Doors need a full seat of perimeter seals, designed for soundproofing, brush seals for example do not isolate sound.
Does the drywall extend to the slab above or stop at ceiling height? If it stops at ceiling height then the open void above the drywall should closed off with suitable soundproof materials.
If there is no slab above the ceiling and it's open to the roof then the ceiling itself must be soundproofed.

Soundproofing timber floors can be a challenging task. The first step is to ensure that there is no direct contact between the timber flooring and the subfloor. This can be achieved by using decoupling materials like an acoustic underlay. MLV can also be laid on top of the subfloor before installing the timber flooring to provide an additional layer of soundproofing.

It's important to note that carpets can greatly improve the sound dampening effect in a room with a timber sub floor. This is especially true if it's a stretch carpet with a thick underfelt.

Effective
Easy to install
No mess
Works instantly: There is no long cure time (30 days) such as is the case for wet products applied from a tube, such as Green Glue compound.
Cost effective: There are minimal offcuts and any extra pieces can be stored or used elsewhere.
Doesn't add much (1-6mm) to the thickness of the structure. This depends on the specification required.
Helps to acoustically decouple the structure
No unpleasant smell
Readily available
Not easily damaged
Not affected by humidity

Check out our MLV product here

For convenience and safety, MLV should be loaded onto a pallet when being moved in bulk, as it is very heavy. When it is loaded onto a pallet and properly strapped down then it can be moved around with a forklift. This is ideal for getting it off the delivery van and placed at the closest entrance to the area where it will be installed.

It should always be transported on a flatbed truck when being transported by the pallet load, as this ensures that a forklift has easy access to the pallet for loading and offloading.

Before you consider any of the other practical considerations around installing MLV you must consider who should be the one to actually do the installation.

Make no mistake, MLV is heavy. The fact that it is limp and floppy also makes it difficult to lift and secure in position unless you have sufficient manpower.

I would highly recommend that it is installed by a professional contractor or soundproofing specialist. However if you are keen to tackle the project yourself then you will need the time, some basic carpentry skills, determination and perhaps most importantly an extra set of hands to help.

You cannot do this project alone because someone has to hold it in position while another person secures the MLV in place.

As this work is structural, the whole room will have to be cleared before any work can begin.
Set a start date and make arrangements for furniture to be removed before work commences. Arrange for clear plastic to cover the furniture to prevent it getting covered in dust.
How much time will you need for the work to be completed? The answer will be influenced by how easy it is to get all the materials on site, how many installers will be working & their level of experience. Depending on the scope of work it may be wise to allow an extra day or two to deal with snags or delays caused by inclement weather.
It's inevitable that there will be some noise and dust on site, as the work takes place. Ensure that everyone that will be effected is notified in advance.
Plan for ease of access so that work can start promptly each day and that if necessary work can continue a little later than normal so that the work proceeds according to the schedule.
If necessary plan for a skip to be present on site to easily dispose of waste.

MLV is heavy and floppy, this makes it difficult to hold in place until it's secured but there are three ways this can be overcome.

Upright T's: Make a few big "T" sections out of timber. The upright part of the T should be the same as the height as which the MLV will be installed. The cross of the T should be the same width as the roll of MLV. The wooden T's can be used to lift the MLV into place and wedged against the floor to keep the MLV in place until it can be fixed.
Shoring posts: As an alternative to the above some equipment hire place offer shoring posts which are adjustable in height.
Plasterboard hoist: This is the ideal method especially when doing larger areas.

MLV is limp, heavy and does not necessarily have a high tensile strength. Once you have lifted the first end into position to begin securing it, bear in mind that the first line of screws will bear all the weight. If there is a large enough section of the MLV hanging full on the first screws it's possible that the screws will pull straight through. The solution to this is actually quite simple, use a large washer with each screw to secure the MLV. The washers will spread the load and therefore be much stronger.

If you're looking for a soundproofing solution that is both effective and readily available, then you should consider using an MLV sound barrier. This versatile sound barrier material is popular for both residential and commercial applications, thanks to its many advantages.

In this blog, we've covered everything you need to know about MLV soundproofing, from the benefits of using it to the various places where it can be installed. So, whether you're looking for soundproofing for your home or business, check out our MLV product page for more information.

Yes, mass loaded vinyl is considered safe to use. It is a non-toxic material, does not contain any hazardous substances and does not emit any harmful fumes.

It is only fire resistant however in practice it is often sandwiched between other building elements such as gypsum board, Genesis acoustic board or Genesis 60D acoustic insulation which are non-combustible. For specialist applications one side of the MLV can be lined with a non-combustible foil.

When used inside a building structure such as a drywall, ceiling or timber floor it requires zero maintenance.

MLV is water resistant, which makes it an ideal soundproofing solution for areas that experience high levels of humidity.

MLV ranges in thickness from 1-6mm. Rockwool is normally 50, 75 or 100mm thick. Glasswool ranges from 25mm to 100mm in thickness.
MLV is normally heavier per m² or sf than Rockwool or glasswool.
MLV is used to add mass and block sound, whereas Rockwool or glasswool is used for thermal insulation and to prevent a resonant cavity.
MLV is not breathable. Rockwool and glasswool products are fibrous and air is able to move through the fibres. As the fibres trap the air circulation they offer good thermal insulation properties while MLV does not offer any thermal insulation.
MLV is installed to completely cover the framing however Rockwool and glasswool are installed in between the framing.

Start by identifying the various sound paths that are compromising the sound isolation of the room, look for:

Light weight building structures such as drywall, ceilings & timber floors
Consider the doors and windows.
Identify any air gaps that need to be sealed e.g. the opening gap around doors, keyholes through doors, , air bricks, gaps between the wall & ceiling etc.
Ventilation ducts can carry sound between rooms.

MLV is not a solution for any and every sound problem, chat with one of our consultants to arrange a site inspection so that we can offer you a complete solution. You can reach out to us here.

MLV is will offer the most value when used to soundproof light weight building structures. Do not try to use MLV on a heavy structure such as a concrete floor, brick wall etc as it will have a minimal effect.

There are many benefits to using Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) as soundproofing in your home.

Here are a few of the benefits:

1. MLV is a dense, noise blocking material that seals and acoustically insulates lightweight building structures.

2. It can be used for soundproofing many rooms in your home such as bedrooms, entertainment areas, guest rooms, workshops, home studios, band practise rooms, generator rooms etc.

3. MLV is also an environmentally friendly choice when it comes to soundproofing your home.

Links

https://www.instagram.com/genesis_acoustics

https://www.facebook.com/GenesisAcousticsRSA

https://www.soundproofmygenerator.co.za/

https://what3words.com/definite.major.bubbles

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/sound-transmission-class

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/plasticizer

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0888327022004162

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4398289

https://blinkforhome.com/

https://colibriwp.com

https://eero.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_transmission_class

https://www.inceusa.org/

https://www.sandv.com/

https://www.nibs.org/page/acoustics

https://www.usgbc.org/leed

Brett Robinson is a well-known figure in South Africa, in the field of acoustics and soundproofing, with a career spanning over two decades. As an entrepreneur, blogger, public speaker, husband, and father of three, Brett has balanced his professional pursuits with a rich personal life. He founded and has been managing Genesis Acoustics since 1997, leading the company in designing and manufacturing innovative acoustic solutions such as soundproof doors, generator enclosures, and various sound-absorbing room finishes.

His expertise and commitment to quality have earned him the trust of some of South Africa's biggest companies, including Barloworld, Mercedes Benz East London Plant, Durr, Ford Motor Company South Africa, Volkswagen South Africa, Nissan, 3M, Coca Cola Bottling Plant Port Elizabeth, banks, Starbucks, Mugg & Bean and many more. His impact extends beyond large corporations to churches, recording studios, and numerous small to medium-sized businesses.

Brett leads a dedicated team of over a dozen full-time staff, with Genesis Acoustics represented in various major centres across South Africa. His contributions to the industry have not only shaped the soundscapes of countless architectual spaces but have also set a high standard for acoustic and soundproofing solutions nationwide.

When not working in one of his companies, Brett enjoys spending time with his family, writing, mountain biking, and training in Krav Maga. His diverse interests and commitments reflect his dynamic approach to life and work, embodying a holistic vision of success that values both professional achievement and personal fulfilment.

The Ultimate Guide toUsing Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) for Soundproofing

Table of Contents

1. What is Mass Loaded Vinyl?

Other Names For MLV

The Mass of MLV is Measured As:

1. What is Mass Loaded Vinyl?

Other Names For MLV

The Mass of MLV is Measured As:

Customer Testimonial

2. In What Kind of Buildings is MLV Noise Barrier Primarily Used?

Type of Buildings Where MLV can be Used to Good Effect

Commercial

Music Industry

Industrial

Residential

Contact us

3. Mass Loaded Vinyl – Features & Benefits

Privacy

Confidentiality

Noise Nuisance from the Outside

Sleep

Commercial Applications

Contact us

4. The Areas in Your Home Where Mass Loaded Vinyl

Can Best Serve as an Effective Soundproofing Solution

Renovations & Alterations

Bedrooms

Home Cinema Room

Home Studio

Band Practise Room

Workshop

Generator Room

Exterior Generators

Customer Testimonial

5. Where to use Mass Loaded Vinyl in a Duplex

6. Your Offices Will Benefit the Most From

Soundproofing With MLV in These Areas

The 6 Types of Business Spaces That Will Benefit From Soundproofing

Contact us

7. How Does MLV Work As a Soundproofing Material?

7 Factors That Will Effect the Efficiency of Soundproofing Products and Structures

The Function of Mass in Soundproofing

The First Law Of Thermodynamics

Elasticity & Mass vs Sound Energy

Structural Resonance vs a Limp, Mass Loaded Vinyl

Mass Law

8. How Effective is MLV as a Sound Barrier?

The STC Rating System

Lab Testing vs Real World Results

STC Ratings for Planning & Design

The STC & Rw Ratings Only Apply To Airborne Noise

The Rw Rating System

STC vs Rw Rating

9. In What Kind of Structures is MLV

Mass Loaded Vinyl Soundproofing Used?

Drywalls

Additional Layers of Board vs MLV

The Type of Insulation that Should be Used Inside a Soundproof Drywall

The Effect of the Stud & Track Design on the Level of Sound Attenuation

Properly Caulk All Gaps With an Acoustic Sealant

6 Factors Which Affect the Soundproofing of a Drywall

Ceilings & MLV Sound Barrier

Ceilings Below a Concrete Slab

Ceilings Below a Pitched Roof

Timber Floors

Contact us

10. 11 Reasons why MLV Soundproofing is a Popular Choice

11. What Are the Available Sizes, Thickness & Finishes of MLV?

Thickness

Other Finishing Options

12. Proper Handling Methods for MLV

Moving Bulk Stock

Moving Individual Rolls

Lifting By Hand

13. How to Plan, Schedule & Install MLV

Planning

Handy Checklist: Other Products Typically Installed Together With MLV

Storage

Scheduling

Installation: Tools Checklist

The Ultimate Guide to
Using Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)

for Soundproofing