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Main => Everything Else => Topic started by: Dawgz Rule on June 28, 2012, 01:41:57 pm

Title: Any experience with Mass Loaded Vinyl?
Post by: Dawgz Rule on June 28, 2012, 01:41:57 pm
I am considering using Mass Loaded Vinyl to sound insulate portions of my basement and was wondering if anyone has used it before?  If so, what are your likes and dislikes?
Title: Re: Any experience with Mass Loaded Vinyl?
Post by: spoot on June 28, 2012, 04:23:04 pm
I've not used that before, but I've used Roxul Safe and Sound with good results.....it's a sound proofing insulation for the most part that pops right between your studs.
Title: Re: Any experience with Mass Loaded Vinyl?
Post by: drventure on June 28, 2012, 04:48:12 pm
I've used an aluminum foil-backed tar sheet for sound insulation in cars before as well and in my Jukebox build, but I doubt that'd have much effect on a room.

One thing that I just recently was introduced to, though, that I'd never heard of before is Homasote 440.

It comes in 4x8 sheets 1/2 in thick, It's basically a kind of compressed fire resistant cellulose. It's an insulating panel, but it's also specifically for sound dampening as well.

In my case, i used it to deck the top of a workbench. It's soft, so it won't scratch things you put on the bench, it's a bit "grippy" so you can sand pieces and they generally won't slide around. And it's easy to work with/cheap so once you've torn it up, you just unscrew it from your bench, cut another sheet and screw it back down. I saw the plans using it in Fine Wordworking ages ago, and just now got a chance to build up a bench with it. We'll see how it works.

So, bottom line. I'm not using it like it's intended, but I think it's intended for what you want to do.

It cost me about 25$/4x8 sheet.
Title: Re: Any experience with Mass Loaded Vinyl?
Post by: Dawgz Rule on June 28, 2012, 05:04:10 pm
I like Roxul Safe and Sound and noticed that Lowes is actually carrying this as a stock item.  I was going to place this in the ceiling of the basement and the interior wall of the game room.  Depending on the outcome, I was considering adding the mass loaded vinyl as it is only 1/8 inch and easily attaches to walls and ceilings.  I'll check out the Homasote too. 

I guess my gaming can get a little loud so I am looking for a cost effective way to knock the sound down a bit. 
Title: Re: Any experience with Mass Loaded Vinyl?
Post by: drventure on June 28, 2012, 06:11:35 pm
I like Roxul Safe and Sound and noticed that Lowes is actually carrying this as a stock item.

Interesting. Neither lowes nor Home Depot carries Homasote (I had to go to Plywood of Fort Worth for it). and from reading the website info, they sound very similar.

The vinyl might be a little easier to put up on walls though. I looks like you could basically just staple that stuff up.

My dad used a sound absorbing carpet meant for walls, for the home theater he put in years ago, and it worked really well, but as I recall, that stuff was pretty pricey.