1 LB TotalMass is a 1/8th inch thick material that is black in color. Mass loaded vinyl, or acoustic barrier, was one of the first real innovations in the sound isolation market. Unlike other sound isolation products, MLV can provide instant mass with damping to any location. In walls, ceilings, floors, on machinery, household appliances, around pipes, exterior fences, doors, as curtains to divide a room or over a window, and really anywhere.

The balance between performance and cost makes the 1 LB TotalMass the product of choice for most of our customers. 1 LB per square foot TotalMass on its own has an STC rating of 26. That means our 1/8" MLV material almost performs better than a 2" x 4" wall with 5/8" drywall on each side of the wall. However, MLV is not known for as a strong performer in low frequencies compared to a resilient sound clip system or a wall with Green Glue applied. But given other advantages of MLV it should still be in consideration for your sound isolation project. Also, please consider the overall product and shipping price when comparing our price for mass loaded vinyl to our competitors.

For Walls

If you are planning to install our TotalMass Barrier vertically in a wall, then follow these steps for estimating how much you need:

• Measure the length of the wall and round up to the nearest foot divisible by four (i.e. a 10'6" wall would round up to 12'). This number will be represented as 'A'.
• Measure the height of the wall from floor to ceiling. Round up to the nearest foot (i.e. 7'9" would be 8'). This number will be represented as 'B'
• Multiply A x B. The result is 'C'. This is the total square feet of TotalMass Barrier required to cover your wall.
• Divide C by the width of the roll you are purchasing (either 4' or 4.5'). This final number is the total linear feet required to cover your wall.

TotalMass Barrier is sold in rolls of varying lengths and widths. Remember to purchase the corresponding rolls that best fit your custom needs. For example, if you need 70 linear feet of material, you can purchase two 25' rolls and two 10' rolls instead of three 25' rolls. This will save you money on both the material and the cost of shipping as well.

For Ceilings and Floors

If you are planning to install our TotalMass Barrier on your floor or ceiling, then follow these steps for estimating how much you need:

• Measure the width of the floor or ceiling and round up to the nearest foot divisible by four (i.e. a 10'6" wall would round up to 12'). This number will be represented as 'A'.
• Measure the length of the floor or ceiling. Round up to the nearest foot (i.e. 7'9" would be 8'). This number will be represented as 'B'.
• Multiply A x B. The result is 'C'. This is the total square feet of TotalMass Barrier required to cover your floor or ceiling.
• Divide C by the width of the roll you are purchasing (either 4' or 4.5'). This final number is the total linear feet required to cover your floor or ceiling.

TotalMass Barrier is sold in rolls of varying lengths and widths. Remember to purchase the corresponding rolls that best fit your custom needs. For example, if you need 70 linear feet of material, you can purchase two 25' rolls and two 10' rolls instead of three 25' rolls. This will save you considerably on both the cost of material and the cost of shipping.

Please contact us if you need help with estimating for this product.

View our in-depth installation guide for TotalMass Barrier

Installation of TotalMass Barrier is simple whether you are installing in walls, ceilings, or floors. The installation guide linked to above will provide you with detailed instructions for installing TotalMass in walls and ceilings.

For floor installation, TotalMass Barrier can be installed in either a floating fashion or with minimal attachment using standard drywall nails. You should cover the entire floor with the TotalMass and keep your seams tight. From there the seams should be taped to keep the TotalMass Barrier from shifting. The tape required for this is standard vinyl duct tape. Any gaps or tears in the barrier should be taped and sometimes even caulked with an acoustical caulk.

There are many different brands of mass loaded vinyl sold online and even in some stores across the United States. Some of which are well known brands and others are re-branded by the dealer that is selling the MLV. We often get asked why our MLV is so much cheaper than the well known brands so we thought we should explain why this is. Here is a summary of the reasons why:

Distribution Channels: Most mass loaded vinyl made is manufactured by a handful of companies in the United States. These companies then sell to resellers, which only a handful of resellers exist in the United States, which will then sell to online dealers and building supply companies. The reason that our prices are so low is because we do not buy from a reseller, but rather direct from the actual manufacturer. We are one of the only companies online that buys direct from the actual manufacturer instead of an 'acting manufacturer'. Since there is no middle man between us and the manufacturer we are able to easily beat other online brands and also sell the same product for about 1/3 the price as the more well known brands.

Private Label Manufacturing: The manufacturing of mass loaded vinyl is an expensive process, but very simple with little innovation from manufacturer to manufacturer. The more well known brands will be manufactured in a way to make them slightly more flexible than a typical private label MLV. This flexibility provides a nominal, if any, difference in STC rating, but the increase in manufacturing cost almost doubles. This cost is passed on to the customer, but the overall improvement in performance is not actually audible. Especially when the MLV is being installed rigid between floors, walls, and ceilings.

Competitive Pricing: And the most obvious reason for low prices is simply a competitive online market driving down the cost of private label MLV. The big name manufacturers keep a tight hold on distribution and sometimes even control all distribution through their own website or distribution channels. We have seen the retail price for a couple major 'high-end' MLV dealers and the distributor price for these products as well. The mark-up for one roll of 4' x 25' 1 LB of the most popular brands of MLV is as much as we sell each roll of 4' x 25' 1 LB to our customers.

So with the many choices of mass loaded vinyl online you really only have two choices in which MLV to buy. Either the overpriced version with a brand name or the private label version from a company like Sound Isolation Store. If you choose to buy from us, then you are buying from a company that provides quick distribution, low shipping rates, and the ability to provide quality customer service because our margins are not reduced to next to nothing to try and stay competitive with other companies.

This product ships within 1 day from Idaho and Massachusetts depending on delivery location and available stock. If delivery time is crucial then please confirm availability before ordering.

Estimated Delivery Time After Product Ships

Actual reviews from past Sound Isolation Store customers.

I'm happy to let you know that our switch to your MLV seems to have been a success. Installation was the same as installing [name brand MLV] and our initial tests show that it is performing just as well. Thanks for the help!

- Paul from New York

The MLV was heavier than I expected, but I'm very pleased with the results and will use this MLV again. Road noise and sound from my tires are almost completely gone now.

- Mark from Texas