THE US-based Green Glue Company has recently introduced its Green Glue noiseproofing sealant, which enables environment-friendly and cost-effective noise reduction in one easy-to-use solution.

Noise transmission from cracks in floors, walls and ceilings is one of the most persistent challenges in any residential or commercial structure. The sealant can seal those cracks and reduce noise transfer between rooms by as much as 100 times, significantly improving sound isolation and quality of life, claims Brian Ravnaas, technical innovation manager.
“Older homes and buildings are particularly susceptible to noise as aging floors and walls can leave cracks and crevices that compromise sound isolation. Small gaps and cracks in a floor or wall may not seem like a huge problem, but they can cause severe noise-related distress and disrupt a productive environment. Green Glue noiseproofing sealant seals these openings and effectively dampens noise levels, acting as a sound barrier,” he adds.
This eco-friendly sealant is water-based, non-toxic, has only a minimal odour, and contains no volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) and exceeds rigorous Leed green building requirements, offering a green approach to soundproofing.
The sealant can be easily applied along edges and joints between floors, walls and ceilings cracks in the same fashion as standard caulking material, requiring no special training to use.
It is available in 28-ounce tubes that fit into quart-sized calking guns used for both professional and DIY applications.
The sealant adheres firmly to wood or metal studs, concrete, gypsum board and most other types of building substrates. It will not dry out or crack with age and can be painted once dried. Clean-up is simple, requiring only soap and water.
Used along with the company's line of noiseproofing products, including a visco-elastic compound, joist tape and decoupling clips, the sealant completes one of the most effective soundproofing system solutions available today, according to Ravnaas.
Commenting on the system which combines easy-to-use, environmentally responsible and cost-effective technologies, he says: “Individual noise-proofing technologies come together as a system to decrease sound transmission by 30 dB or more, blocking roughly 97 per cent of noise and offering the most effective and efficient soundproofing results available on the market today.”
When applied between two sheets of drywall, plywood or other building substrate, Green Glue noise-proofing compound drastically reduces noise transfer from one room to the next by as much as 90 per cent, including low frequency sounds that are normally resistant to soundproofing. The visco-elastic product comes in easy-to-dispense tubes.
The sealant plugs gaps and leaks in walls and ceilings that are easily overlooked but which contribute significantly to noise transfer. When applied along wall and ceiling edges, the sealant can isolate sound by as much as 30 dB.
The clips offer an easy-to-instal mechanical decoupling system to separate two sides of a wall. “Separating walls helps prevent the transmission of noise vibrations by allowing one side of the wall to vibrate independently from the other. Clips can be used independently to eliminate noise, but when used in combination with the noise-proofing compound, more than 95 per cent more noise can be stopped compared to conventional construction techniques alone,” he says.
The joist tape eliminates noise when foot traffic causes sub-flooring and joists to rub together. The tape acts as a sound isolating buffer when applied between joists and sub-flooring, and its low thermal conductivity improves energy efficiency.
Founded in 2003, the Green Glue Company is wholly owned by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation. It is an R&D and manufacturing firm specialising in visco-elastic materials and is a leading producer of sound isolation products used in residential and commercial noise-proofing.