MLVs come in various thicknesses and weights so as to cater to specific needs. The main considerations should include cost, effectiveness, and ease of use. It is not practical to say what is better than MLV as all soundproofing materials serve the same purpose. In such situations, you might need to consider other alternatives to MLV, including soundproof curtains, Green Glue, drywalls, rugs, and acoustic panels. Mass-loaded vinyl can get quite expensive, typically ranging from $1.50 to over $2.00 per square foot, which becomes prohibitive for some. There are many models available that fit different needs from regular home soundproofing, sound absorption for floors, or in commercial settings as well. Mass-loaded vinyls are made of dense rubber-like material that can block out noises effectively.

The price range for 1 lb MLV can range from $1.50 up to $2.50 per square foot, while the 2lb option will usually retail for up to $4 per square foot. MLVs are typically sold in 2 variants: 1lb/sqft or 2lb/sqft. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) How much does mass-loaded vinyl cost? It is a great sound isolation product that your contractor might have. If you are planning a home makeover and renovation project, check out this Acoustiblok review. They even provide professional services to take care of your needs if you wish to have a more detailed and comprehensive solution.īest of all, they are not that crazy expensive!Ĭheck out my comparison of Second Skin vs Dynamat here! Primarily used inside of vehicles, they can greatly improve your driving experience, allowing for a pleasant and peaceful ride. They are one of my favorite soundproofing products as they are super versatile and easy to use. I couldn’t discuss the best MLV brands without talking about Second Skin. If you require more precision, you might also be interested in determining the target STC value you wish to achieve before finding the suitable material to use.

Those made with EVA do not require plasticizers, so this issue will not arise. PVC needs to be mixed with a plasticizer to give it the flexibility, but that also means that over time, it might give out unpleasant odors. Typically, MLVs are made using 2 types of base polymer: PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC) or Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA). You might also need to consider what kind of materials are used to produce MLVs. They are available in different types of thickness and weight, which is a key component that affects how effective it is at soundproofing. There are several brands of mass-loaded vinyls out in the market, but not all are created equal. List of the best Mass Loaded Vinyl brands They are very effective at blocking out road noise and also improve the quality of your sound system within the car cabin.

Outside, you can use MLV to improve the acoustics of your vehicle. Similarly, you can wrap MLV around HVAC pipes to dampen the noise they produce.Īt home, you can block out the sounds from noisy dishwashers, around a suspended ceiling, or use them to dampen noise in your home studio. If you are dealing with machinery, you can create a sound screen around them to mute the noise. There are many ways that you can use mass-loaded vinyl, both around the house or in a commercial or even industrial setting. It feels rubber-like to the touch and is widely used in both residential and commercial home improvement projects alike.Īlthough it is dense, the MLV is highly flexible which allows it to be used in many applications, for example, car hood soundproofing or soundproofing a drum room.Ĭompared to lead, it is nontoxic, making it a safe and useful material to use for all kinds of projects.Īnd finally, mass-loaded vinyl can add a great STC value to any surface due to its sheer mass. It is made to be very thin and with high density, and its primary purpose is to control and stop sound waves from exiting a surface. A mass-loaded vinyl is a specially created material that aids in soundproofing.

Does mass loaded vinyl work