In this guide, we shall be discussing the best Mass loaded vinyl alternative. A home is a place where you’re supposed to enjoy a peaceful and quiet stay, especially after a busy day at work.
Unfortunately, this calmness can be ruined by a noisy neighbor. One of the best ways to soundproof your walls is to hang acoustic foam panels, or mass loaded vinyl. However, if you can’t get your hands-on Mass loaded, there are other great alternatives you can use.
A-List of the Best Mast Loaded Vinyl Alternatives
Below is a detailed review of some of the best Mass loaded vinyl alternatives. These are affordable and yet effective options to use.
1. Floor Underlayment
If you can’t afford Mass loaded vinyl, a better alternative is floor underlayment, which works best by minimizing impact noise. The material is placed beneath any floor and just above the subfloor.
Floor underlayment is mostly used in the reduction of impact noise on hardwood floors and also as a cushion for the floors.
The material creates a softer surface beneath the floor that helps in cushioning it against impact noise. An example of a good floor underlayment is Roberts 70-193A Super 360 sq 60 in. X 72 ft. x 3 mm
2. Soundproof Curtains
Soundproof curtains are another Mass loaded vinyl alternative. The curtains are made of a denser material that has soundproofing properties to help minimize the noise in a home.
Acoustic curtains absorb noise and minimize reverberations in a room. Their thickness of the material and their multiple layers makes it an excellent sound-absorbing material.
The curtains, unlike vinyl, are more attractive. They also come in different colors and designs so you can choose the one that goes well with your home.
Even though the curtains are soundproof, they are not 100% at canceling noise, just minimizing it. In simple terms, you will notice a great difference between a room with soundproof curtains and a room without them.
When buying the curtains, you should consider a few things to make them effective at minimizing noise. Things such as size, weight, material, and type of curtains rods are crucial when it comes to the amount of noise the curtains can absorb.
Choose curtains such as NICETOWN Blackout Curtains Panels for Bedroom for effective noise reduction.
3. Green Glue
Green glue is a must-have product in most home construction projects because of their affordability and effectiveness.
It is a soundproofing adhesive that is mostly paired with other products to minimize noise.
Green glue can be used as a sealant for cracks or holes even in hard to reach areas. It reduces noise by transforming sound waves into heat energy.
The adhesive does not change the appearance of your home; in fact, it blends in naturally.
Green glue as a noise reduction compound minimizes noises transmitted through surfaces such as walls or ceilings.
The sealant is applied between the drywalls placed on the wall or on foam panels placed on the ceilings.
Green Glue Damping Compound is also applied on the floor to dampen impact noise.
4. Drywall
Drywall is also another alternative to mass loaded vinyl. The product is made of materials that minimize the noise coming into a room.
However, not all drywall is effective at reducing noise. For instance, traditional drywall consists of paper and gypsum, which are densely placed to minimize noise.
However, a newer version is made from resilient materials such as gypsum, viscoelastic material, and ceramics, which enhances their effectiveness at noise reduction.
Drywall adds to the density of your walls, ensuring that the noise coming in is greatly minimized before reaching your ears.
If you want to enhance the effectiveness of the drywall, pair it with a soundproofing adhesive such as green glue.
5. Carpets and Rugs
Carpets or rugs are a good option, especially when you don’t have the time for floor underlayment. They are cheap and easy to install, unlike floor underlayment and also a better alternative to MVL.
Carpets are a good option when you want to minimize impact noise in your home or office.
A carpet such as KKONION Ultra Soft Long Plush Shaggy Area Rugs is affordable and easy to maintain.
When shopping for carpets or rugs, you should consider the denseness of the material and the tightness of the weaving. This is because a thicker and tighter weaving is effective at absorbing noise.
If you already have carpets or rugs, but the noise is too much, then you should consider purchasing carpet padding. The padding is made from foam, rubber, or fiber, which cushions the floor.
The thickness of the padding makes it an excellent material for reducing impact noise produced when an object hits the floor.
When purchasing the pads, choose the one that goes well with your carpet or rug. Remember, comfort and acoustic properties are key.
Carpets padding has an advantage in that it prolongs the lifespan of your carpet, which is good for your budget.
The padding is installed beneath your carpets or rugs. The process is much easy, and you won’t even need a professional for the work.
6. Acoustical Foam Panels
Acoustic foam panels are also a better alternative for Mass loaded vinyl. Just like green glue, these foam panels absorb sound waves and transforms them into heat energy, thereby lessening noise in a room.
Click here to learn how to hang acoustic foam panels without damaging the walls.
The acoustic panels have an absorbent design that allows easy absorption of sound. Acoustic panels are different from MVL in terms of texture; the panels are much softer compared to Mass loaded vinyl.
The panels come in different sizes, designs, and colors, which means you can choose depending on your preference.
Foam panels may work as soundproofing products, but they do not lessen noise entirely.
However, you will notice a difference in terms of the level of sound in a room with the panels and a room without.
Acoustic panels are commonly used in recording studios and theaters due to their effectiveness at minimizing outside noises from getting into the room.
They are also preferred because they absorb echo and background noises in the studios.
An example is Foamily 12 Pack- Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges
7. Sound Clips
Sound clips are another god alternative to mass loaded vinyl. The sound clips are placed on the floor beams.
They help in minimizing noise between rooms when placed on the walls or ceiling and floors. They reduce vibrations between surfaces, ensuring the sound reaching you is minimal.
Sound clips are an easy option for decoupling, which are placed on a joist of either wall or the ceiling.
Sound clips are a better alternative to MVL because they are affordable and less labor-intensive. RSIC-1 Resilient Sound Clip with Mounting Screws is a better choice for your home.
Final Thought Mass Loaded Vinyl Alternative
Above are some of the best Mass loaded vinyl alternatives. If you want something that will offer equally the same effectiveness as MLV, then consider the above options.
Mass loaded vinyl is an excellent sound absorber that reduces noise to manageable levels. It’s flexible and ideal for different applications.
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.