Alternative Mass Loaded Vinyl Installations for Soundproofing

There is more than one method for installing mass loaded vinyl to obtain maximum effect. The standard of the industry is to install the MLV directly to the stud or joist framing using an industrial stapler or heavy-duty roofing nails that have the large plastic heads. This method is known as the membrane or septum method. The MLV works well when placed on a wall or ceiling in a membrane fashion, however it can also be sandwiched between 2 layers of drywall or other type of wallboard. The jury is still out on what thicknesses of drywall is best. For better frequency diffusion, it is best to use a layer of 5/8? drywall then the MLV as a septum (a sandwich) and then add a layer of ?? drywall or Homasote. The dissimilar materials do help in the soundproofing effort especially when we are looking to get every STC point we can get with as little effort as possible.

There is not a lot of information on the Web in regards to alternate methods of mass loaded vinyl installation, hopefully we will be able to explore this here. If you are constructing walls using the staggered stud method, it would be beneficial to actually weave the vinyl in an out of the staggered stud assembly itself. The above picture gives you a rough idea of how this would look. The key to weaving MLV (or any barrier material) is to seal the vinyl as best as possible. In the case of a horizontal weave (most common weave) it is best to overlap the seams by at least 1? and seal that overlap with acoustical caulking as well as a quality seam tape. The weaving of MLV also aids in the defusing of sound waves. This works much like the dissimilar materials except ?turbo charges it?.

You can also use the weave on a standard stud wall provided there is no drywall installed on either side of the studs. (just open studs) This weaving method can be foiled by stud cross members, so it is best to have only vertically installed studs if you are planning to do the weave. If you weave the MLV on a normally studded wall, there may be problems with the drywall sitting level on the studs. If your studs are 16? on center, then every other stud will have 1/8? of increased width compared to the studs that don?t have the MLV weaved a top of them. To keep the drywall even on both sides, a sound isolation tape can be adhered to every other stud that that is not covered with the weaved MLV this will make all of the stud surfaces flat and even and the drywall will rest evenly on the studs.

From the feedback of our contractors in the field, we have discovered that the more a wood structure is dampened, the better the soundproofing will be in a wall or ceiling assembly. This is especially true for impact noise from above. There are many ways to dampen a wood frame assembly and some are more effective than others. Some contractors have used blown in cellulose in order to dampen the joist or stud structures, but cellulose has no mass and though it will help to a degree, it is much less effective than using blown in closed cell foam, or my favorite (which requires some ceiling demo) is to line the cavity areas between studs and joists with a closed cell vinyl nitrile foam mat (America Mat is a great choice) for maximum dampening. The foam mat would be glued to the studs and the wallboard in the stud cavities (provided you have drywall on one side of the wall only). This insures that the wooden structure is completely dampened and if sealed properly will offer extra soundproofing as a result of sealing those cavities. Sealed dead air space is God?s natural soundproofing method, as I like to call it. I am sure you have read many of the analogies regarding sealed dead air. If you were able to seal the dead air space and actually create a vacuum in that space, you?d be amazed at the amount of sound transmission that would be blocked.

I hope this little narrative helps you especially if you are doing new construction for a home theater, or music sound studio in your home. Thanks for reading and learning together. This is Dr. Bob?..Out!!!!!!

Dr. Bob is the Senior Technical Advisor at Soundproofing America Inc, the leading authority in Soundproofing and Acoustical treatment technology.

Dr. Bob O.
Soundproofing America, Inc.
Senior Technical Director
Soundproofing Expert to The New York Times, The San Francisco Herald Examiner, The San Diego Union Tribune, and the Charlotte Observer
Ph (877) 530-0139 Toll free Fax (347) 721-9079
E-mail: Dr.bob@soundproofingamerica.com
http://www.soundproofingamerica.com

Hiring Roofing Contractors

If you are looking into buying a property or a house, or you are thinking bout getting some home improvement projects for your current house you will know that the roof is a very bid issue, no one wants to move into a house that has a roof that will not survive the next winter. Changing a roof, or even making slight changes and fixing tasks for a roof, is something that can really get in the way of normal life, especially if done in winter, or on a rainy season.

So if you are interested in knowing a little more about roofing and the work, costs and ideas behind having a new roof for your house, you should research this area, and make sure that you understand and know the basic concepts before you even meet with a roofing contractor that will confuse you with dozens of terms and names you have no clue about, and above all, with a price list that will probably knock you off your feet.

Building constructors and engineers have devised additional use of roofing - that is for a stylish ?capping? of the structures they erect. Nevertheless, the style would only last if the materials used would make the roof sturdy and durable.

Through time, man has devised an array of ways to deal with different materials to build roofs, each with its own strong and weak points relative to conditions of weather and area restrictions. These are what roofing contractors know best.

Roofing contractors often do three R?s in roofing:

1. Renew

Roofing contractors can be relied upon when it comes to installing new shingles. They are considered as experts in putting a new cap for a structure.

2. Repair

Roofing contractors also help to correct the problem and to make things better and safe in a building.

3. Remodel

If able to fix the damage, roofing contractors install additional scaffolds and add-ons to keep any other damage from occurring.

If you are surveying for roofing materials, contact first a roofing constructor in order to provide you with several options. Roofing constructors also need to explain the exact roofing materials you need against the materials they want to give you. Budget allocation also influences the final choice of the material to be used for roofing a structure.

As with all other contractors it is always advisable to try and find other people he worked for and see the results, or at least have a short conversation with the owners of houses this contractor made earlier work on, when you are finalizing the details try and have some kind of paper of agreement that you can both sign and that will hold the basic understandings between you and the contractor.

Daniel Roshard is a interior designer that has wide knowledge of home improvement tasks and projects, covering roofing and roof installation costs in one of his sites. Read more about Roofing Costs, and roofing information and buying tips.

Baby Proofing Basics

One of the first things that goes through a new parent's head is the need for safety. Baby proofing your home is a major concern - and rightfully so. Many accidents that happen in the home can be prevented with a few safety precautions.

Before you spend a penny on baby proofing accessories, take an inventory throughout your home to look for trouble spots. Some examples of baby dangers are chemicals, open toilets, bathtub faucets, sharp edges on tables and other furniture, staircases, unprotected electrical outlets, heavy furniture such as bookcases and entertainment centers that could fall on baby, window blind cords, electrical appliances, sharp utensils, doors that lock on the inside, and choking hazards.

As you're going through your home making a baby-proofing inventory, make sure that you don't stay on your feet. Don't forget to get on your hands and knees and get a baby's eye level view of your home.

When you look at the above list, you may begin to feel overwhelmed - but don't panic! Baby proofing doesn't have to be done all in one day - especially if you start early in your pregnancy and baby's life.

You should begin thinking about baby proofing as soon as you decide to become a parent. However, even after your baby is born you have a little time to get the job done. At first your baby won't be able to move around the house at will and this gives you time to get your baby proofing done if you haven't already completed it. Certainly before your baby is crawling, you should have your baby proofing completed.

Many parents work hard at baby proofing their home, but don't take care of the hidden choking hazards that are lurking. An easy test to determine whether or not an object is a choking hazard is to see if it will fit through the hole in a toilet paper roll.

If an object can easily slide through, it can easily be picked up by small hands and put in the mouth. Make sure that you don't make a baby-proofing mistake by overlooking common objects in your home that could spell big danger.

Once you know what areas of your home need baby proofing, you can make some simple modifications to improve safety. Childproof latches, socket covers, and simply picking up dangerous objects can help make your home safer for your baby and improve your peace of mind.

Olga is a co-publisher of Baby Care Guide designed to Unlock your Inner Mother Code. Parenting manual that mother nature should have included with your new baby and contributing author to Baby Formula Advisor portal

Your Soundproofing Solution

Moving to a new home, installing a home theater, having a new baby, getting new neighbors, or just growing weary of the everyday noise are all reasons that cause people to want to consider soundproofing. Another common soundproofing complaint is footstep noise from rooms above. ?I can hear my neighbors walking and sliding their chairs.? In a world where hard surfaced floors are increasingly popular, this problem is becoming increasingly important, and quality strategies and solutions are needed.

Acoustical Solutions, Inc. of Richmond, Virginia, who has been offering sound barriers, sound absorption and sound isolation products for twenty years, is now proud to introduce Green Glue. Green Glue is a liquid, waterborne, sound damping compound, which represents the highest performance product of its type. It is used in between sheets of drywall, subflooring or other building materials. It is significantly lower in applied cost than competitive products, with an excellent cost/performance ratio. It is also remarkably tolerant to real-world application conditions and carries almost none of the burden of precision required by many soundproofing systems.

The best application for green glue is between sheets of drywall, OSB or Plywood over the main part of a wall, floor or other structure. Green Glue will not be effective as a paint or coating. Green Glue is non-toxic with no mixing required. For walls, floors and ceilings, this product drastically reduces impact and airborne noise. It can also be used in commercial environments, new construction or remodeling of an existing space as well as home theaters, and recording studios.

Sound damping is a very straightforward concept. Simply put, sound damping is the rate at which something dissipates energy. In a constrained layer damping system, sometimes referred to as CLD, a damping material is sandwiched between two other (usually stiff/rigid) materials. For example, Green Glue sandwiched between two layers of drywall. Sound damping occurs when the viscoelastic center of the "sandwich" is sheared. The shearing pulls and stretches on the sound damping material. Under these conditions, the unique polymeric construction of Green Glue very efficiently converts this mechanical energy to heat. The vibration energy is not isolated; it's dissipated and removed.

Green Glue comes in 29 oz. tubes. You can use any quart size caulk gun, available at most hardware and building material stores. It is very fast and easy to apply. No special skills whatsoever are required. Recommended application is two tubes of Green Glue per 4' x 8' area or two tubes per standard sheet of drywall. If you are not on a budget, utilizing three tubes per sheet will improve performance. Each case of Green Glue covers about 192 square feet, or 128 square feet if used at the three tubes coverage rate. Do not use more than three tubes per 4' x 8' sheet, as performance will actually decline above three tubes per sheet.

Dave Ingersoll Acoustical Solutions 800 782-5742 info@acousticalsolutions.com

Green Glue instead of insulation for soundproofing

Old School soundproofing still believes that batt insulation is a good soundproofing agent. There are some good sound batt insulations out there such as Roxul AFB and Bonded logic's bonded cotton insulation and they work well for both soundproofing and thermal protection, however no batt insulation is strong enough to stand alone as the sole soundproofing material in a wall ceiling or floor assembly.

If you can afford a good batt insulation I always encourage it, but if you are soundproofing as ceiling and are not really concerned about the thermal aspects of the ceiling then I feel adding drywall pieces cut to fit perfectly into the joist cavities and screwed to the sub floor above would be much more effective than any batt insulation. Now to super charge this application I recommend that before you screw the pieces of drywall to the sub floor you apply Green Glue sound dampening compound to the back of the drywall pieces prior to screwing them to the bottom of the sub floor.

Green Glue is a visco elastic damping compound that is taking the soundproofing industry by storm. It comes in caulk tubes and is applied using a large quart size caulk gun. Basically you would cut the pieces of drywall to fit snuggly between the joist cavities. You would the liberally apply the Green Glue to the backside of the cut drywall and then screw it to the bottom of the sub floor. The Green Glue will be sandwiched between the drywall and the bottom of the sub floor. The tighter you screw the drywall down, the better the soundproofing will be. In essence, the pieces of drywall sporting the Green Glue in their backsides with become a most effective sound dampening system that will dampen the impact noise from above long before it is able to be transmitted into the joists and ultimately into the ceiling below. Now, is more better in this case? Absolutely, if you are able to double or triple the Green Glued layer of drywall you will indeed increase the dampening ability of the drywall and the sub floor and add greatly to the soundproofing endeavor.

Once you have installed your layers of Green Glued drywall pieces into the joist cavities, now would be a good time to install your sound or thermal batt insulation. Now for our finished drywall ceiling, I recommend that we spend the money for 2 layers of 5/8" drywall. You will screw in your first layer of drywall directly to the ceiling joists. Now your second layer will be installed directly over top of the first layer however, you guessed it, I recommend that you apply 3 tubes of Green Glue to each 4' X 8' sheet of drywall that you put up. Once you have finished with the double drywall using the Green Glue, you should immediately detect a lack of annoying noise coming from the people above. You have soundproofed your ceiling and your neighbors don't even have a clue that there was a problem there. How awesome is that? Read more about Green Glue and soundproofing walls, ceilings and floors in subsequent articles, for now this is Dr. Bob....Out!!!

To learn more about Soundproofing and soundproofing materials visit our site http://www.soundproofingamerica.com/

To order Mass Loaded Vinyl see our site.

You can read more articles on soundproofing on our blog

Old School soundproofing still believes that batt insulation is a good soundproofing agent. There are some good sound batt insulations out there such as Roxul AFB and Bonded logic's bonded cotton insulation and they work well for both soundproofing and thermal protection, however no batt insulation is strong enough to stand alone as the sole soundproofing material in a wall ceiling or floor assembly

Hidden Dangers in Baby Proofing

As a mom to a 6 month old, this baby proofing thing is all new territory to me. There are so many things to think about, and the cold hard truth is that some of the "so-called" baby proofing products can actually do more harm then good! Keep reading to find out the top five products that most parents don't think about when it comes to baby proofing their homes.

#1 Sippy Cups. While they may appear convenient, sippy cups are nothing more than baby bottles in disguise, says the American Dental Association. So when an infant sucks on one, the milk or juice comes in direct contact with the back of the teeth and generates bacteria.

What should you use instead? To curb tooth decay the American Dental Association says babies should stop using a bottle and begin drinking out of a regular cup by their first birthday. If some hand-holding is required during the transition, consider a training cup with a lid and open spout that will teach your child how to properly sip a beverage while limiting spills.

#2 Wipe Warmers. Most parents would never consider wrapping their baby in an electric blanket. Yet many mothers and fathers buy baby-wipe warmers that carry the same risk of starting a fire. Over the past decade at least three manufacturers had their warmers recalled by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission when cracks in the interior tub allowed water to come into contact with the unit's electrical components.

#3 Plastic Outlet Covers. At first glance they seem brilliant. Just pop one in and no small fingers will be finding their way into the socket. What parents don't consider is that a baby can easily choke on one if Mom pulls the cover out to do a little vacuuming and then forgets to reinsert it into the wall. "As a general rule anything that is small enough to fit through the tube of a roll of toilet paper is a choking hazard," says Dr. Garry Gardner, a pediatrician who sits on the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention.

Instead, parents should consider swapping out their traditional outlet plate covers with one that has sliding plastic doors to cover the sockets, suggests Fields. They're not only safer, but also more convenient to use.

#4 It can be tempting to adorn a nursery with cozy bedding sets complete with fluffy quilt, bumper and matching pillows. But most safety gurus recommend avoiding them for fear of suffocation or rebreathing (when a child breathes in his previously exhaled carbon dioxide) that can lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). "We believe the crib should be bare," says Don Mays, senior director of product safety and consumer sciences for Consumer Reports. "Put the baby in warm clothing and remove all soft bedding."

#5 Another sleeping hazard: the sleep positioner. This is a piece of foam that's used to prevent a baby from turning over onto his or her stomach. (Sleep gurus warn that infants shouldn't sleep on their tummies since it could cause SIDS.) "While it was designed for safety it actually compromises it," says Consumer Reports' Mays. As babies in a positioner turn their heads from side to side the foam can conform to the face and cause suffocation and rebreathing.

A safer sleep option is to snuggly swaddle infants for the first few months. Then once they are strong enough to turn over on their own, it's safe to let them move around and sleep however they want.

Sarah Jones is a first time mom to a young son, and runs a blog entitled "The Adventures of Super-Mommy and Spitup Boy (http://www.super-mommy.com) She has just published her first book. "Diapers on a Dime", which is available for sale on her website. Super-Mommy.com

Installing Rolled Roofing the Easy Way

Installing rolled roofing no longer has to be a life-threatening experience. CCW EZRoof, a product manufactured by Carlisle, makes torching and hot-asphalt mopping a thing of the past. This self-adhering, peel-and-stick product is made for waterproofing low-slope roofs (from 1" to 6" per foot) and installs easily, quickly, and painlessly.

EZRoof makes installing rolled roofing simple, too. First, unroll it and then cut it into workable sections, rolling it back up as you finish. Prepare the deck of the roof by making sure dust, debris, and any protrusions have been removed. If removing an existing roof, take off and discard old shingles, roofing felt, nails, and any decking that has been broken or damaged.

Part of installing rolled roofing includes applying an asphaltic primer to the deck. For each 200 to 300 square feet, you'll need to use one gallon of primer and allow it to cure for half an hour before installing rolled roofing.

When you begin installing rolled roofing, nail the metal drip edge to the deck at the rake and eave, and then place the EZRoof with the adhesive zip strip facing the top of the roof. Beginning at the lowest part of the roof, peel back 12" to 24" of the backing. Align with the lower edge of the deck and press firmly into place.

Tear away the release film as you work when installing rolled roofing, pressing with a metal hand roller, if possible, to keep the EZRoof smooth. Panel ends should then be overlapped by six inches with a generous bead of mastic applied to the area for good adhesion. Roll the seams as you go with the hand roller or by applying smooth pressure with your foot. For subsequent rows, be sure and overlap the EZRoof while installing rolled roofing to ensure proper and adequate sealing against moisture.

Once you've used this product when installing rolled roofing, you're sure to never use anything else! EZRoof makes installing rolled roofing easier than ever. So what're you waiting for? Get EZRoof - and take the headache out of installing rolled roofing.

Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.Org, where you can read tips on attic radiant barriers, metal roofing and other home/garden topics.

Learn How to Install Metal Roofing

Learning how to install metal roofing may be your first step toward safeguarding your home from the elements in the most efficient and economical way. Although the initial monetary outlay may seem high, if you remain in the home for a period of years, the cost justifies itself. Experts agree that a home with a metal roofing system withstands greater wear and tear than other types of roofing.

Several metal shingle suppliers online offer advice and instructions on how to install metal roofing. One of these, Permanent Roofing Systems (www.PermanentRoofing.com) offers a downloadable PDF file to those interesting in learning how to install metal roofing purchased from their company.

The patent-pending, do-it-yourself metal roofing offered by Permanent Roofing features a four-way interlocking system of aluminum shingles. The user-friendly design of the Permanent Roofing system gives people who are trying to learn how to install metal roofing a leg up with its innovative system.

Because so many types of metal roofing exist, before you decide on learning how to install metal roofing, you might want to check some of these out. Some of the most popular metal roofing systems being used today include Gerard, Decrabond, Met-Tile, Prestige, and Zappone. Prices for metal roofing with these systems vary anywhere from $1.25 to $4.50 per square foot in material ranging from aluminum to copper.

If you feel better about learning how to install metal roofing from reading a book, check out Roofing the Right Way by Steven Bolt. You can find Bolt's book, which includes a fairly comprehensive section on metal roofing, at Amazon.com for around $20, not including shipping.

Learning how to install metal roofing doesn't have to be a daunting task when done methodically. Reading Permanent Roofing Systems' instructions, educating yourself on the various types of metal roofing systems, and acquiring Steven Bolt's book should all propel you forward in your quest of how to install metal roofing.

So don't put off your quest on how to install metal roofing any longer! There's no time like the present to get started on the roof you've dreamed about forever. And learning how to install metal roofing may lead to learning something else. Who knows? You could start a habit you'll never want to break!

Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.Org, where you can read tips on attic radiant barriers, metal roofing and other home/garden topics

Roofing Contractor

 

A contractor is essentially someone who consents to complete a task for a charge or a specialist in the building business, whose job requires hiring workers to construct a ‘paid for’ assignment. Even though a contractor's foremost concern is hiring capable subcontractors, at times he may also carry out some of the construction work by himself. These principles remain the same in reference to a roofing contractor.

Most roofing contractors are highly experienced personnel. Working in such a specific industry over time enables them to learn nuances of the trade and carve a niche for themselves. Most roofing contractors have knowledge and experience of varied roofing materials. This enables them to undertake varied roofing projects over vast terrains.

Roofing is a very important aspect of ones home, which makes it all the more essential for a homeowner to find the right contractor. Roofs are exposed to the elements at all times, which makes regular maintenance a compulsion. Roofing contractors may be called upon to do minor repair work or re-roofing. Clients must always remember that re-roofing is a very profitable venture for contractors, since it involves replacing an entire roof. In order to avoid this, a contractor should be called upon as soon as a minor flaw or condition is detected.

In most cases houses change many hands, making it difficult to locate the original roofing contractor. In such situations a new contractor who is hired should be allowed to study the project and make decisions.

While selecting a roofing contractor, one should select a specialist in order to be certain of quality work. Another effective practice is to work with recommendations from friends and family. Homeowners need to realize the importance of maintaining a roof since even the smallest leak can cause significant damage. Hiring the right roofing contractor at the appropriate time goes a long way in preserving ones home for years to come.

Roofing provides detailed information on Roofing, Metal Roofing, Roofing Contractor, Roofing Material and more. Roofing is affiliated with Asphalt Shingles.