Installing a layer of drywall on top of the MLV will make the soundproofing twice as effective, and give you a surface for paint (or another way to cover or decorate your wall). Sometimes called “soundproof drywall,” Type X drywall is 5/8-inch thick and fire rated, making it among the best options for noise dampening. STEP 5: For greater soundproofing, add a layer of drywall (optional). Overlapping is not recommended if you plan to paint, install wallpaper, or install additional drywall panels. You can overlap it for a potentially greater sound barrier, but you’ll have bumps and ridges if you do so. ![]() For the best soundproof wall, butt the MLV right up against the preceding sheet so there are no gaps. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 as required until the entire wall is covered. STEP 4: Repeat the process to cover the entire wall. Then attach the bottom portion at 12-inch intervals, and finally at 12- to 24-inch intervals down the sides of the sheet. Using drywall nails and a hammer, attach the MLV to the upper portion of the wall at 12-inch intervals. To install it, snug it up against the ceiling, with your helper holding it in place. Position the stepladder and put the MLV against the wall starting at either end, working to the other corner. Cutting on top of scrap wood would be wise to protect your floor or work surface. Measure a length of MLV that will reach floor to ceiling and then cut out a sheet with the scissors or utility knife. ![]() When calculating your needs, note that MLV tends to be sold on rolls of 2-foot or 4-foot widths. Leaving gaps in MLV will drastically compromise its effectiveness, so you’ll want to buy enough for complete coverage from wall to wall and floor to ceiling. Prior to ordering MLV, carefully measure the walls you want to soundproof. – Type X drywall (optional) STEP 1: Measure the walls to be soundproofed. RELATED: 10 Tips for Soundproofing Your Home Office Supplies ![]() Doing so also allows you aesthetic options since the usually black, shiny MLV isn’t the most decoratively appealing surface! And keep in mind that MLV, such as Noise Grabber Vinyl, is heavy and awkward to work with-hanging it is a two-person job, so enlist a helper. While MLV can be hung directly on a wall, it performs best when sandwiched between drywall sheets. Half-pound MLV weighs one-half pound per square foot of coverage and is 1/16-inch thick 1-pound MLV is a pound per square foot of coverage and is 1/8-inch thick 2-pound MLV is 1/4-inch thick. The thicker, the better for blocking noise and ending echoes, but thickness, ranging from 1/16 inch to 1/4 inch, may not be listed in product specifications. It comes on a roll and is available online for around $2 per square foot, depending on weight, length, and width. Mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) is a sound-dampening product used everywhere from nightclubs to recording studios to hockey rinks, and it’s among the best soundproofing materials available. Photo: Method 1: How to Soundproof a Wall Using Mass-Loaded Vinyl To minimize noise, consider the two strategies outlined here for how to soundproof a wall. Soundproofing an Existing WallĬreating soundproof walls is most effective when done during construction, but there are several ways to put a damper on ambient and active noise after the fact to make a soundproof room. Here’s how to soundproof a bedroom or other room to create a tranquil space without distracting noises. ![]() For example, if an attached garage that’s used as a workshop shares a common wall with the master bedroom, use soundproofing techniques on both the garage wall and the inside of the master bedroom wall for the best results. Where possible, use the wall soundproofing techniques in the adjacent rooms as well as the one in which you’re looking to reduce the noise level. These techniques can be used for any type of room: a home office, nursery, family room, or soundproof bedroom. Still, by employing the following methods, a homeowner (or even a renter in the case of the second method) can lower annoying and distracting sounds to a bearable level. Don’t anticipate an utterly silent room room soundproofing techniques will reduce sound transfer from one room to another, but they won’t eliminate the loudest noises. Before You Beginįirst, set reasonable expectations. Whether you’re part of the growing gig economy, your teen has rock star dreams, or your 8-year-old has started tap-dancing, you’ll find that a little soundproofing can go a long way toward keeping the peace-and quiet-at home.
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