With a utility knife, use a straight edge ruler to cut a square edge evenly through the MLV. Please read through the installation guide before installing your MLV. Mass is a critical component in sound control and works by simply stopping sound from being able to vibrate the structure due to its heavy weight. Using 2 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl greatly improves the STC (or soundproofing performance) of the wall, and can be much more cost-effective than moving to CMU or triple-layering drywall.Mass Loaded Vinyl can be applied to walls, ceilings, floors and structures to create a sound barrier. In loud mechanical rooms or in sensitive spaces, such as libraries or museums, the use of heavy Mass Loaded Vinyl may be an ideal application to prevent unwanted noise intrusion. When this is the case, consider using an EVA-based mass loaded vinyl material that does not off-gas and has better acoustical properties. When MLV is specified, it is difficult to opt out of it. Summary – When to use 2 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl: However, the hardening side-effect may deteriorate the product over time from an acoustic perspective. When it is enclosed behind drywall, there is limited safety down-side to using the product. When considering using MLV, also review the safety information, usually included on the Material Safety Data Sheet. However, over time these plasticizers tend to migrate out, resulting in off-gassing that makes the material rigid and sometimes produces a noticeable odor. Chemical additives are put in called “plasticizers” that make the material flexible. MLV, due to its base Vinyl polymer, is naturally rigid. One of the biggest complaints is off-gassing. There are also a number of substitutes for Mass Loaded Vinyl. If an STC of 50+ is needed on wood stud assemblies, or 60+ on metal studs, 2 lb mass loaded vinyl is often the most cost-effective approach. One major benefit of installing a single sheet of 2 lb MLV is that the labor cost is significantly reduced (rather than double-installing standard-weight product). The density of the material does not change, so it is the thickness of the extrusion that is actually driving the weight change. Rather then 1/4″ thick, 1 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl is 1/8″ thick. The thickness also changes in equal proportion. These weights are often “nominal” so that 2 lb MLV actually weighs approximately 1.8 lbs/square foot (and 1 lb MLV actually weights 0.9 lbs/square foot). 2 lb mass loaded vinyl is twice as heavy as 1 lb. Why not just staple up two layers of 1 lb material, if there’s no improved performance?įor starters, the weight difference is evident. Many contractors and architects want to determine the cost-benefit between going with a 1 lb MLV versus a 2 lb MLV product. Difference between 1 lb and 2 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl: On metal stud systems, the STC will be significantly higher. On Wood Stud systems, 2 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl can achieve an STC of 51.
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