How Mass Loaded Vinyl works
Noise has one big enemy: mass. The denser the surface, the less sound passes through. Most apartment walls, hollow doors, and car panels don't have enough mass - that's why you can hear the neighbor's TV, traffic on the freeway, or your washing machine three rooms away.
These Mass Loaded Vinyl tiles are 2 lb/sq ft (9.8 kg/m²) - the same surface pros spec into recording studios and home theaters. Each pre-cut 12 x 12 in (30 x 30 cm) tile weighs 2 lb (0.91 kg). That mass is what blocks airborne sound through walls, floors, ceilings, and doors.
New to soundproofing? Read our to understand how MLV works alongside other materials, how to calculate coverage, and where it makes the biggest difference.Pre-cut tiles mean no measuring and no cutting required for standard installations. Lay them edge-to-edge and apply. For awkward shapes - around pipes, inside vehicle wheel wells, under flooring - cut with scissors or a utility knife.
Made forApartments with noisy neighbors, home theaters, recording and podcast studios, vehicle floors and doors, noisy washing machines and HVAC units, home offices on busy streets, bedrooms next to a freeway, nurseries, hotels, classrooms, conference rooms, and houses of worship.
Specifications| Material | Mass Loaded Vinyl (non-toxic, low-emission) |
|---|---|
| Tile | 12 x 12 in (30 x 30 cm) |
| Surface | 2 lb/sq ft (9.8 kg/m²) |
| STC rating | 31-33 (standalone barrier) |
| per tile | 2 lb (0.91 kg) |
| per 24-pack | 48 lb (21.8 kg) |
| Coverage (24-pack) | ~24 sq ft (~2.16 m²) |
| Fire rating | UL Classified, fire-retardant |
| Waterproof | Yes - safe in basements, garages, vehicles |
If the noise reduction isn't audible in your room, with your order number and we'll make it right. 100,000+ customers worldwide. FAQ ▾ Do I need a contractor to install this?
No. Most customers install it themselves with scissors and double-sided tape in under an hour. The tiles come pre-cut so the only tool you need is scissors for trimming odd shapes.
▾ Will it block my neighbor's bass or subwoofer?It will reduce it. Low-frequency bass is the hardest noise to block; for heavy bass, layer 2 lb/sq ft MLV behind drywall with an air gap. Mid and high frequencies are blocked dramatically - STC 31-33 turns loud speech into a muffled murmur.
▾ Is 2 lb/sq ft heavy enough for shared apartment walls?Yes. 2 lb/sq ft is the industry-standard MLV pros use behind drywall in recording studios. For thin shared walls, layer it on top of the existing drywall and add a thin acoustic underlay if possible.
▾ Does it smell?No. Low-emission, non-toxic. Safe for bedrooms and nurseries.
▾ Can I paint it or cover it with fabric?Yes. Most customers cover with fabric, drywall, or acoustic foam panels for a finished look.
▾ Will it stick to a brick wall?Use construction adhesive on brick or concrete. Double-sided tape is for drywall, doors, and metal.
▾ How many tiles cover one wall?An 8 ft x 10 ft wall (~2.4 x 3 m) is about 80 sq ft (~7.2 m²) - that's 80 tiles. For most apartment walls, the 24-pack covers a focused trouble spot. For full-wall coverage, consider the for fewer seams.
▾ Is it waterproof?Yes. Safe in basements, garages, vehicles, and laundry rooms.
▾ Can I return it if it doesn't work?Yes - 100-day returns on unused, sealed tiles. servicearrowzoom.com with your order number.