TotalMass MLV Barrier

View our Product FAQ for answers to common questions about TotalMass MLV.

Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is one of the original and most versatile soundproofing materials available. Once considered the gold standard for noise control, MLV remains a valuable solution even with today’s more advanced acoustic products. Unlike many soundproofing materials that depend on specific framing or drywall configurations, TotalMass MLV Barrier can be used almost anywhere, in walls, ceilings, floors, windows, doors, pipes, and ducts. As an acoustically dead material, it reduces resonance and blocks airborne sound across a wide frequency range, delivering measurable sound isolation benefits in virtually any application.

TotalMass MLV remains one of the most reliable, adaptable, and effective sound barriers available. Whether you’re soundproofing walls, ceilings, mechanical rooms, or windows, MLV adds mass, reduces resonance, and improves STC ratings — making it an essential material in both residential and commercial sound isolation projects.

Where MLV Performs Best

The largest acoustic improvements occur in:

• Walls and doors where resonance is most common
• Windows and curtains for blocking exterior noise
• Mechanical areas such as pipes, ducts, and HVAC systems
• Vehicles or exterior fencing to reduce environmental and structure-borne noise

Seam Tape Recommendation

If your project requires seam tape, we recommend Everbilt Seam Tape for best adhesion to TotalMass MLV. It’s UV-resistant, performs in hot and cold climates, and is widely available from multiple online suppliers.

Choosing the Right MLV Weight

Each TotalMass MLV thickness provides a different balance of performance, flexibility, and frequency isolation:

• 1/2 LB MLV: Best for high frequency sound control and applications requiring flexibility, such as curtains or appliance wraps.
• 1 LB MLV: The most versatile and balanced option, effective for mid to high frequency noise, suitable for walls and ceilings.
• 2 LB MLV: Designed for low frequency and traffic noise, ideal for home theaters, studios, and mechanical rooms.

The standalone STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating of each thickness — STC 22 (½ lb), STC 27 (1 lb), STC 32 (2 lb). Actual results vary depending on the wall or ceiling assembly.

Walls

Installing TotalMass MLV Barrier in standard interior walls helps reduce airborne sound transmission by dampening resonance in drywall and framing materials. While MLV weighs less per square foot than drywall, it can still yield a noticeable performance boost in voice and television frequency ranges.

A standard 2x4 wall with insulation and single-layer drywall achieves:

• Approx. STC 45 with 1 lb MLV
• Approx. STC 48 with 2 lb MLV

This improvement can be achieved without demolition or decoupling, making MLV a cost-effective upgrade for bedrooms, offices, or shared walls.

Ceilings and Floors

Because ceilings and floors already contain mixed materials with different resonance points, MLV adds less benefit in these assemblies:

• In non-resilient ceilings or floors, MLV may provide a minor airborne noise reduction, but little to no improvement for impact (footfall) noise.
• On concrete subfloors, MLV has no measurable effect.

For greater isolation:

• Use GenieClip® systems for ceilings.
• Use GenieMat® RST rubber underlayment for floors.

Acoustic Grid Ceilings

In commercial or office settings, sound often leaks through acoustic ceiling grids between rooms or from floors above. Installing MLV sheets over ceiling tiles effectively blocks this path. Simply lay or glue MLV sheets over the tiles to create an acoustic grid blanket that stops airborne sound transfer without major renovation.

Doors and Windows

Mass Loaded Vinyl curtains are a simple, effective way to reduce sound through doors and windows. The 1/2 lb MLV is lightweight enough for hanging yet dense enough to significantly block noise. Add grommets in each corner to make a removable soundproof curtain that improves privacy and acoustic comfort.

Proper installation of TotalMass Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) ensures maximum soundproofing performance for walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and ductwork. Follow the installation recommendations below for each application.

Walls and Ceilings

• Fasten TotalMass MLV using nails, screws, or staples.
• When using nails or screws, add a thin washer to distribute weight and prevent tearing.
• Hang MLV parallel to framing members to minimize overlapping seams.
• Seal seams tightly using duct tape or foil tape, applied between framing or over studs/joists.
• If joining seams directly over framing, apply acoustical sealant before taping for an airtight seal.
• Pay special attention to openings for electrical boxes, ducts, and plumbing. Use acoustical caulk and tape to maintain a continuous seal.

View Wall and Ceiling MLV Install Guide

Floors

• For best results, install MLV as part of a floating floor assembly.
• Roll out the material, butt seams tightly, and tape seams securely.
• Seal perimeter gaps with acoustical sealant.
• Install the finished flooring or additional mass layers directly over the MLV.
• Avoid installing tile or other brittle finishes directly on MLV.
• For improved impact and footfall noise isolation, use GenieMat® RST rubber underlayment instead of MLV.

Acoustic Grid Ceilings

• Cut MLV sheets slightly larger than each ceiling panel.
• Overlap edges to cover the entire grid track.
• Secure by gluing MLV to each panel or laying it loosely on top of the ceiling tiles.

Doors and Windows

• Cut MLV to size and add grommets at each corner for hanging.
• Mount over doors or windows to create a temporary yet effective sound barrier.
• Grommets and hardware are available at most local hardware stores.

Pipes and Ductwork

• Cut MLV to wrap around pipes, ducts, or mechanical equipment.
• Overlap seams slightly and seal with foil or duct tape.
• Wrapping these surfaces helps reduce vibration resonance and minimize noise transmission through metal or plastic surfaces.

Tip: Always ensure seams, edges, and penetrations are fully sealed with acoustical sealant or tape to maintain an airtight, high-performance sound barrier.

Independent mass loaded vinyl (MLV) testing shows that adding MLV to assemblies with resilient clips or resilient channel systems produces little to no improvement in STC performance. In these advanced sound-isolated assemblies, the primary acoustic gains already come from the decoupling system, which eliminates structural vibration.

The performance increase seen in basic wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies using MLV is mainly due to reduced resonance and vibration damping, not from the added mass itself.

Standalone MLV ratings are most relevant when the material is exposed or used independently, such as:

• Wrapping pipes, ductwork, or mechanical equipment
• Hanging from fences or partitions
• Used as soundproof curtains over windows and doors

All data presented in the performance table comes from third-party accredited laboratory testing. Complete test reports are available upon request.

• TotalMass 1 LB, 2 LB, and 1/2 LB Product Specs
• TotalMass Sell Sheet
• TotalMass MLV Barrier MSDS