Barriers — Acoustic Material Guide
Acoustic barriers are dense, flexible materials designed to block sound transmission rather than absorb it. Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) is the most common barrier product, used within wall and ceiling assemblies to increase STC ratings. Barriers reflect sound energy and should be combined with absorptive materials for complete acoustic treatment.
Products in This Category
| Material | NRC | αw | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) | 0.05 | 0.05 | Wall (within assembly), Ceiling (within assembly) |
Average Absorption Profile
Average absorption coefficients across all barriers materials at each octave band frequency.
| Frequency (Hz) | 125 | 250 | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 4000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg α | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.03 |
Best Applications
Room types and environments that benefit most from barriers materials:
Related Standards
International and national standards relevant to barriers selection, testing, and specification:
Installation Notes
Barriers must be installed without gaps or air paths to be effective. All joints should be overlapped and sealed with acoustic sealant. MLV is heavy and typically requires mechanical fastening or adhesive support during installation.
Typical thickness: 1-6mm (1-5 kg/m2)
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