Table of Contents
Overview
The Soundsulate™ mass loaded vinyl sound barrier uses dense, flexible PVC to reduce airborne sound transmission. It comes as a 1 lb-per-square-foot sheet for walls, ceilings, floors, doors, vehicles, and mechanical enclosures.
This barrier is designed to inhibit conversation, music, voice, engine noise, and mechanical noise. Also, it supports standalone use or placement within layered wall and floor assemblies. It does not target impact sound or structural vibration.
Key takeaways
- The 4-foot-by-8-foot sheet covers 32 square feet and weighs 32 pounds.
- Its approximate thickness is 0.12 inches, commonly referenced as 1/8 inch.
- The dense PVC barrier carries a published Sound Transmission Class rating of 27.
- Full coverage and careful sealing support optimal acoustic results.
- The flexible sheet cuts with standard tools and adapts to irregular surfaces.
- Mechanical fasteners, acoustical adhesives, and acoustical caulk support installation.
What the product is designed to do
Mass loaded vinyl, or MLV, adds a dense barrier where mass supports airborne noise reduction. Also, this sheet focuses on limiting sound passing through walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and enclosed panels.
The material supports conversation, music, voice, engine noise, and mechanical noise control. For example, it can sit behind drywall, under floors, inside doors, or around mechanical enclosures.
This flexible acoustic barrier also fits home theaters, studios, automotive interiors, vehicle trunks, and interior panels. A broader guide to mass loaded vinyl for airborne sound covers the same barrier principle.
The sheet does not serve as an impact-noise or structural-vibration treatment. However, it can work alone or as part of a layered assembly.
Materials, dimensions, and technical details
| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Material | Polyvinyl chloride |
| Density | 1 lb per square foot |
| Dimensions | 4 feet by 8 feet |
| Coverage | 32 square feet |
| Weight | 32 pounds |
| Thickness | Approximately 0.12 inches, commonly referenced as 1/8 inch |
| STC rating | 27 |
The PVC construction is dense, flexible, durable, tear-resistant, non-porous, and non-fibrous. Also, the formulation is non-toxic, low-emission, odor-neutral, and resistant to off-gassing or decomposition.
STC means Sound Transmission Class. Here, the published STC 27 rating applies to the barrier’s airborne sound transmission performance.
The sheet combines minimal thickness with physical mass. In addition, its flexible structure supports cutting and adaptation across varied surfaces.
Installation and placement notes
The material’s 32-pound weight may require mechanical fasteners or acoustical adhesives. Also, standard tools can cut the sheet to fit architectural, automotive, or mechanical spaces.
Full surface coverage matters because openings create an incomplete barrier. As a result, installation should maintain continuous coverage without gaps.
Acoustical caulk supports acoustic integrity along edges, seams, and adjoining surfaces. Next, careful sealing helps preserve the airtight installation tied to the barrier’s performance.
Common positions include behind drywall, under floors, inside doors, and around mechanical enclosures. The sheet also fits vehicle trunks, interior panels, ceilings, studios, and home theaters.
Its flexibility supports irregular surfaces and enclosed installations. A guide to mass loaded vinyl barrier characteristics can add context for density, dimensions, and placement.
Performance characteristics described
The 1 lb-per-square-foot MLV sheet uses mass to inhibit airborne sound transmission. Also, the STC 27 rating supports use across residential, studio, mechanical, and vehicular settings.
Performance depends on physical mass, full coverage, and airtight installation. For example, careful sealing supports the barrier when reducing voice and engine noise.
The material can function as a standalone sound-blocking layer. In addition, it can join insulation layers within wall assemblies or floor systems.
This product targets airborne noise rather than impact sound. However, it is not designed to mitigate structural vibration.
Review patterns buyers commonly mention
Buyer feedback repeatedly focuses on the material’s mass and density. Also, users connect complete coverage with reductions in voice and engine noise.
People often combine the barrier with insulation layers in walls or floor systems. In addition, repeated feedback covers ease of handling and careful sealing during installation.
Vehicle applications commonly include trunks and interior panels. Also, buyers note odor-neutrality when using the material in enclosed environments.
Pros
- The dense sheet supports airborne noise reduction through mass.
- Flexible PVC construction supports cutting and irregular surfaces.
- The material works alone or within layered wall and floor assemblies.
- Its odor-neutral, low-emission formulation suits enclosed installations.
Cons
- The 32-pound sheet may require added support during installation.
- Performance depends on full coverage and careful sealing.
- The barrier does not target impact sound or structural vibration.
FAQ
What type of noise does this mass loaded vinyl target?
It targets airborne sound such as conversation, music, voice, engine noise, and mechanical noise.
What does the STC 27 rating cover?
The published STC 27 rating covers the barrier’s capacity to inhibit airborne sound transmission.
Can the sheet go behind drywall?
Yes. It supports placement behind drywall, under floors, inside doors, and around mechanical enclosures.
How large is each sheet?
Each sheet measures 4 feet by 8 feet. Also, it covers 32 square feet and weighs 32 pounds.
Does it reduce impact noise or vibration?
No. The material is not designed to mitigate impact sound or structural vibration.
What supports effective installation?
Full coverage, no gaps, mechanical fasteners or acoustical adhesives, and acoustical caulk support acoustic integrity.