Description
What a Soundproofing Membrane Does
A soundproofing membrane is a thin, heavy, flexible sheet installed inside a wall to stop sound passing through. It blocks sound rather than absorbing it, using two properties:
- Mass. At 1 lb per square foot, the wall vibrates less, so less sound gets through.
- Limpness. Unlike stiff drywall, a limp barrier has no resonant weak spots, and it decouples the layers on either side.
Wall Blokker is STC 26 as a sheet and adds 6 to 12 points to the finished wall.
Where Wall Blokker Works Best
- Party and demising walls in apartments, hotels, offices and student housing.
- Home theaters and studios, where low-frequency noise needs mass.
- Pipes, ducts and chases. Flexible enough to wrap; see Pipe Blokker.
- Cross-talk barriers above partitions that stop at the ceiling grid.
- Over existing drywall, with a new layer of board and no demolition.
How to Install Wall Blokker
- Fix it to the framing. Staples or screws into metal or wood studs, vertically, with seams on a stud.
- Seal every seam with MLV seam seal tape and the perimeter with acoustical caulk. Any gap leaks sound.
- Cut around penetrations with a utility knife; use an Outlet Blokker on boxes.
- Cover with drywall and finish as normal.
- Coverage: one roll covers 100 sf (12’6″ at 8′ high). Add 10% for overlap.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a soundproofing membrane?
- A thin, dense, flexible sheet that stops sound passing through walls, floors and ceilings. It is also called an acoustic membrane, sound barrier or mass loaded vinyl. Wall Blokker is 1 lb/sf, 1/8″ thick, in 4′ x 25′ rolls.
- Is Wall Blokker the same as mass loaded vinyl?
- Yes. It is an EVA-based mass loaded vinyl. For how the material works, see mass loaded vinyl sound barrier.
- What does STC 26 mean?
- STC measures how much sound a wall blocks. STC 26 is the membrane alone; on a stud wall it adds 6 to 12 points.
- Does it go over or under drywall?
- Either. On the studs under drywall for new work, or over existing drywall with a new layer on top.
- Wall Blokker or Wall Blokker Pro?
- Wall Blokker for most metal or wood walls. Wall Blokker Pro for party walls, theaters, or retrofits over existing walls.
- How much do I need?
- One 4′ x 25′ roll covers 100 sf. Add 10% for overlap and cover the whole surface; gaps undo the rest.
- Will a membrane stop echo inside the room?
- No. It blocks sound through the wall. For echo, use sound absorbing wall panels or acoustic ceiling clouds.
Which Mass Loaded Vinyl Do You Need?
All four come as a 4′ x 25′ roll covering 100 square feet. The difference is how much mass you need, and that depends on what you are fixing it to:
| Product | Price | Cost / sf | Weight | Thickness | Wall improvement | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wall Blokker Lite | 0.6 lb/sf | 1/16 in | +6 to 11 STC | Metal stud walls, and anywhere the lightest roll matters | ||
| MLV Sound Barrier | 1 lb/sf | 1/8 in | +10 STC or more | Standard vinyl barrier for walls, floors and ceilings | ||
| Wall Blokker | 1 lb/sf | 1/8 in | +6 to 12 STC | Wood or metal stud walls – the default choice | ||
| Wall Blokker PRO | 1.1 lb/sf + scrim | 3/16 in | +3 to 5 STC over Wall Blokker | Wood studs, party walls, or over an existing wall |
