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Best Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) is a thin, heavy, flexible sheet that adds mass to a wall, ceiling or floor so less sound gets through. Most of it comes from a handful of factories, so the same vinyl is often sold under several brand names, and the marketing claims vary far more than the products do.
The best mass loaded vinyl is the one with the right weight for the job, real lab test data behind it, and a format that suits where it’s going. This guide covers how to choose: weight and thickness, 1 lb vs 2 lb, the different types, what it costs per square foot, and which MLV to use where.
Quick answer For most walls and ceilings, the best mass loaded vinyl is 1 lb per sq ft (1/8 in thick), tested to ASTM E90 at STC 26 or better, installed under drywall with every seam taped. Step down to 0.6 lb MLV on metal studs, use reinforced MLV for anything that hangs, and choose UV-rated MLV for fences.
What Makes the Best Mass Loaded Vinyl?
Check these five things before you buy any MLV:
- Weight per square foot. Weight is what blocks sound. Look for the lb/sq ft figure, not just the thickness. 1 lb per sq ft is the standard for walls.
- Lab-tested STC. Ask for an ASTM E90 test report on the sheet, and ideally results on a real wall assembly. A rating with no test behind it means nothing.
- The base polymer. EVA-based MLV is naturally flexible. PVC-based MLV needs plasticizers to stay flexible, which can give off a vinyl smell, especially in warm rooms.
- The filler. Modern MLV is loaded with calcium carbonate. Some very old or very cheap barriers used lead or barium, so check the data sheet.
- Reinforcement. A scrim or fiber layer stops long hanging sheets from stretching and tearing. It matters for ceilings, curtains and fences.
Watch for inflated STC claims MLV on its own rates about STC 26 at 1 lb per sq ft. Claims of STC 40 or 50 describe a whole wall assembly the MLV was tested in, not the sheet. Compare like with like: see STC ratings for mass loaded vinyl.
Mass Loaded Vinyl Thickness & Weight
MLV has the same density at every thickness, about 96 lb per cubic foot. Heavier MLV is simply made thicker, so the weight and thickness always go together:
| Weight | Thickness | 100 sq ft roll | STC on its own | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.6 lb/sq ft | 1/16 in (1.6 mm) | About 60 lb | 21 | Metal-stud walls |
| 1 lb/sq ft | 1/8 in (3.2 mm) | About 100 lb | 26 | Most walls and ceilings |
| 1.1 lb/sq ft with scrim | 3/16 in (4.8 mm) | About 110 lb | 26 minimum | Long or hanging runs |
| 2 lb/sq ft | 1/4 in (6.4 mm) | About 200 lb | 31 | Mechanical rooms, heavy-duty jobs |
For metric sizes, density and the comparison with drywall, see the full mass loaded vinyl weight, density, & thickness chart.
1 lb vs 2 lb Mass Loaded Vinyl
2 lb MLV blocks more on its own, about 5 STC points more than 1 lb as a bare sheet. But it is twice as heavy to lift onto a ceiling, twice as hard on the framing, and twice the freight, and a 100 sq ft roll weighs around 200 lb.
In a finished wall, that extra weight usually buys less than the alternatives. A 1 lb layer adds roughly 6 to 12 STC points to a stud wall. Past that, you get more for your money by decoupling the drywall (resilient channel or staggered studs) or adding a second layer of drywall than by doubling the vinyl. Choose 2 lb when space is too tight for anything else, or around loud mechanical equipment where every pound counts.
Types of Mass Loaded Vinyl
- Standard MLV: a plain 1 lb sheet for walls, ceilings and ducts, installed under drywall.
- Lightweight MLV: 0.5–0.6 lb sheets. On steel studs they test only slightly below 1 lb MLV, for less money and half the weight.
- Reinforced MLV: a scrim or fiber layer fused into the vinyl so long sheets hang without stretching.
- Outdoor MLV: carbon-fiber reinforced and UV protected, for fences, equipment enclosures and construction sites.
- MLV underlayment: MLV built to go under tile, hardwood or LVT to cut footsteps and voices through a floor.
Whatever the type, MLV only blocks sound when it’s continuous. Overlap or tape every seam with MLV seam tape and seal the edges with acoustical caulk. Step by step: how to install mass loaded vinyl.
Mass Loaded Vinyl Cost per Square Foot
Our prices per roll and per square foot:
| MLV | Roll | Price | Per sq ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Blokker™ Lite (0.6 lb) | 4 ft × 25 ft (100 sq ft) | $169 | $1.69 |
| MLV Sound Barrier (1 lb) | 4 ft × 25 ft (100 sq ft) | $199 | $1.99 |
| Wall Blokker™ (1 lb, EVA) | 4 ft × 25 ft (100 sq ft) | $219 | $2.19 |
| Floor Blokker™ (floor underlayment) | 4 ft × 25 ft (100 sq ft) | $259 | $2.59 |
| Wall Blokker™ Pro (1.1 lb with scrim) | 4 ft × 25 ft (100 sq ft) | $299 | $2.99 |
| Fence Blokker™ (outdoor) | 4.5 ft × 60 ft (270 sq ft) | $1,199 | About $4.44 |
Budget for the rest of the job too: a layer of drywall over the MLV, seam tape, caulk and labor. Expect 2 lb MLV to cost roughly twice as much as 1 lb per square foot, before the heavier shipping. Large commercial orders are usually quoted per job.
Best MLV for Walls, Ceilings, Floors, & Fences
| Where | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wood-stud walls | Wall Blokker™ (1 lb) | Adds 6–12 STC points; tested in dozens of wall assemblies |
| Metal-stud walls | Wall Blokker™ Lite (0.6 lb) | Adds 6–11 STC points on 20- and 25-gauge studs, for less |
| Ceilings and tall walls | Wall Blokker™ Pro | Scrim keeps long sheets from stretching; 3–5 points more than standard |
| Existing finished walls | Wall Blokker™ or MLV Sound Barrier | Goes over the old drywall under a new layer; see MLV on an existing wall |
| Floors | Floor Blokker™ | Made to go under tile, hardwood and LVT; cuts footsteps and voices |
| Fences and outdoors | Fence Blokker™ | UV protected, reinforced, cut and grommeted to size |
MLV is not the right tool for echo inside a room. It blocks sound passing through a structure; it doesn’t absorb it. For echo, use acoustic panels.
Where to Buy Mass Loaded Vinyl
Big-box stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s in the US, and Screwfix and B&Q in the UK, carry some MLV, usually 1 lb sheets in small pieces or short rolls. That works for patching a door or lining a cabinet. For a whole room, small pieces mean more seams and a higher price per square foot.
Buying full 100 sq ft rolls from a soundproofing supplier usually costs less per square foot and gets you the test data. Wherever you buy, check the weight per square foot on the label, ask for the ASTM E90 report, and compare the price per square foot, not per roll.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best mass loaded vinyl for soundproofing?
For most walls and ceilings, a 1 lb per sq ft MLV tested at STC 26, installed under drywall with taped seams. Use 0.6 lb MLV on metal studs, reinforced MLV for long hanging runs, and UV-rated MLV outdoors.
How thick is mass loaded vinyl?
1 lb per sq ft MLV is 1/8 in (3.2 mm) thick. 0.6 lb is about 1/16 in and 2 lb is about 1/4 in, because the density stays the same and only the thickness changes.
Is 2 lb mass loaded vinyl better than 1 lb?
It blocks about 5 STC points more as a bare sheet, but it weighs twice as much to hang and ship. In a wall, decoupling the drywall or adding another layer of drywall usually gains more for the money than doubling the vinyl.
How much does mass loaded vinyl cost per square foot?
About $1.69 to $2.99 per sq ft for 100 sq ft rolls, depending on weight and reinforcement. Outdoor fence MLV runs about $4.44 per sq ft. Add drywall, seam tape, caulk and labor.
Does Home Depot sell mass loaded vinyl?
Home Depot and Lowe’s carry some MLV, usually 1 lb sheets in small sizes. For a whole room, full rolls from a soundproofing supplier usually cost less per square foot and come with lab test data.
