Despite its name, Green glue is not an adhesive; instead, it is a noise-proofing compound used for soundproofing projects.
Green Glue is sold in either 5-gallon buckets or cases of 12 tubes and helps block sound transmission in new and renovation construction projects. Its versatility and ease of use make green glue one of the most common and popular soundproofing materials for the floor, wall, and ceiling on the market today.
But despite it being one of the most common sound-blocking materials, not everyone will have access to the product. If you’re on a budget, especially if you are doing a “big soundproofing project,” you may find it a bit costlier. On the other hand, green glue may not be available in your country. Whatever the case, there are green glue alternatives that I highly recommend.
During my trip to New Zealand, I tried sourcing for this product in vain. I aimed to seal cracks in my old grandma’s house. Luckily I was able to find these great green glue alternative.
What is Green Glue?
Green Glue is a water-based, non-toxic sealant for soundproofing ceilings, floor, and wall assemblies. Sound travels through the air and is bound to collide with solid objects such as ceilings and walls. Upon collision, the sound waves transmit energy into the object they collide with, then convert to vibrations that travel to the other side of the structure.
When such structures are treated with Green Glue, the sound waves that hit the structure convert vibrations to heat. The heat is then dissipated through the structure.
Green glue’s effectiveness comes from its flexibility and ability to dampen structure-borne/impact sounds. It can be a potent tool for blocking noise transmission in apartments, condos, and multi-residential units when used alongside other soundproofing materials such as mass loaded vinyl, drywall, resilient channels, and sound clips.
You may notice some sound attenuation shortly after application, but you won’t enjoy the full benefits for around 30 days after applying Green Glue.
This is because the acoustic sealant includes water, and it needs around one month for the water to evaporate completely. As the product is temperature-sensitive, the room should be maintained between 65- and 85 degrees Fahrenheit for optimum effectiveness.
Green Glue is an excellent soundproofing material, although it is only suited for inside use. Both the Green glue compound and sealant are temperature-sensitive.
As a result, exposure to severe temperatures will make the material useless. Since outside temperatures cannot be regulated, Green Glue is not intended for outdoor applications.
Green Glue Company creates noise proofing products. There are currently four products offers by the company. They include noise proofing compound, noise proofing clips, noise proofing sealant, and noise proofing joist tape.
- Noiseproofing compound is a sound damping product best used in renovation projects and new construction. It’s a viscoelastic compound that converts sound energy into heat.
- Noiseproofing sealant– is used to fill joints and gaps where the wall meets the ceiling or floor or where two walls meet. It’s the finishing touch needed after applying the green glue noiseproofing compound.
- Noiseproofing clips- they are used to separate two sides of a wall. In that case, when sound hits one wall, the energy isn’t transferred to the other wall. This prevents sound from transferring between walls.
- Noiseproofing joist tape- if you’re often disturbed by squeaky floors and loud thunderous footsteps, joist tape will help you fix this problem. It creates a seal hence reducing unwanted noises.
Green Glue Sound Transmission Class
Green glue improves the sound transmission class of a structure by 10+ points depending on the construction assembly.
Independent tests have shown that Green Glue is one of the most effective soundproofing materials now on the market. Third-party acoustics studies found an STC value of 56 for a basic single wall with ordinary drywall & green glue.
Top 10 Green Glue Alternatives
| Image | Name | Availability |
|---|---|---|
  | Polyurethane Sealant | See Price on Amazon |
  | QuietRock 1/2" x 8' x 4' Soundproof Drywall 500 | See Price on Amazon |
| Sealant Silicone 2.7oz Red | See Price on Amazon |
  | Dap 18275 DYNAFLEX 230 | See Price on Amazon |
  | TMS Mass Loaded Vinyl | See Price on Amazon |
  | Everbuild AC50C4 | See Price on Amazon |
  | Quiet Seal Pro Acoustical Sealant | See Price on Amazon |
1. Polyurethane
Polyurethane is an excellent alternative to Green Glue. It’s a tough varnish that comprises of very tiny chains of resins that bond as it dries.
The final result is a finish that resistant to solvents, water, abrasion, and other impacts compared to conventional varnishes.
There are different types of polyurethane: water-based and oil-based polyurethane.
Water-based polyurethane is a milky substance that dries to crystal clear. It’s perfect if you need to preserve the color of your wood.
Oil based polyurethane, on the other hand, turns amber after application. The only shortcoming is that it takes longer to dry and can be toxic.
2. QuietRock noise-reducing drywall
QuietRock gives the best acoustic performance without sacrificing your floor space. The product outperforms several layers of gypsum drywall and exceeds Sound Transmission Class (STC) requirements for different wall applications.
QuietRock is highly reliable than the resilient channel.
The most popular product is the QuietRock 500. It’s easier to install and requires no tools to install.
It’s thin and easy to handle and effective than other gypsum panels.
However, QuietRock isn’t recommended for ceilings but highly recommended for walls. It’s highly effective for new construction and also great for renovation projects.
3. Red Glue
This is also a recommended green glue alternative ideal for new construction and renovation projects.
Its unique features make it an excellent sound damping material. It also dissipates vibrations, which are a result of sound waves traveling through walls, floors, and ceiling.
Red glue will only take a few of your minutes to install. You can soundproof your entire room in a day or less.
For best results, it’s advised you wait for 7 days for it to cure. For maximum effectiveness, allow up to 30 days.
Green glue can also be used for school projects. However, when installing, you should never allow it to dry completely, or else it won’t adhere.
4. Imperial Sealant Silicone
The imperial sealant silicone is a recommended green glue substitute. You can use it for both renovation and new projects.
The best part with silicone sealant is that it’s cheaper than green glue and yet highly efficient. It helps deal with vibrations traveling through walls, ceilings, and floors.
Installation is pretty simple and should take only a few of your minutes. The sealant also allows you to easily soundproof any room in your house in a day or a few hours.
For best results allow the product up to 7 days for it to cure completely. After a week, the product will give the best performance. In addition, silicone sealants can be used with all-temperature glue guns.
5. Dynaflex 230
Dynaflex 230 delivers a latex formulation, which is otherwise considered as “Silicone Tough” and gives the best performance against the exterior.
This product is specially designed for flexibility and crack proof performance and can endure frequent expansion and contractions without losing its efficiency or cracking.
The sealant can fill cracks up to 1-inch width. It’s also highly resistant to mold and mildew.
It can also be used on a wide range of building materials such as polystyrene, composite trim board, PVC, medium density fiberboard, as well in ceilings and walls.
6. Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass Loaded Vinyl is an excellent green glue substitute for soundproofing a home, recording studio, and any other space effectively. The product carries a large mass in a very little amount of thickness.
MLV is a highly recommended product for those seeking to soundproof their rooms without compromising the dimensions and also available space in the room.
In addition, mass loaded vinyl can also be wrapped around pipes, or install it under the carpet in other to soundproof a floor against footfalls to the room below you.
7. QuietSeal Pro
QuietSeal is a highly effective nonhardening noise dampening sealant that gives a maximum acoustic performance. (*) It is soft to prevent reduce sound transmission and avoid cracking. You can apply this product on the perimeter of your walls to prevent noise leaks.
8. QuietGlue Pro
QuietGlue Pro by QuietRock is a high-performance, affordable acoustic sealant designed for small DIY projects as well as commercial projects.
According to lab results, it’s been proven that a single layer of QuietGlue pro between two drywall layers helps block sound transmission more than most competitors. The best part is that the glue delivers optimum performance across all frequencies.
Application:
- Cut the drywall according to the manufacturer’s specifications
- Apply QuietGlue Pro using a caulking gun
- Sandwich the glue between two layers of drywall and screw the drywall into place.
Pros:
- ASTM D3273 and E90 compliant
- Water-based and non-toxic
- No special training required- straightforward application
- It can be used with any drywall or plywood
On Green Glue Alternatives
In conclusion, while green glue is considered the best noise proofing compound/product, some alternatives are equally as effective.
However, there are other products that can enhance the effectiveness of green glue. However, you shouldn’t expect to get the same results as you would get with green glue. But if you can’t get your hands on this sound damping product, why not try the alternatives?
References:
- https://acousticalsolutions.com/what-is-green-glue/
- https://www.quietrock.com/products/quietglue-pro
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.