Tagged with 'Peacemaker'

When it comes to blocking sound, mass is everything. That's why concrete and brick are so good at soundproofing. But there are also sound-blocking materials that can be added to existing walls, floors, and structures to limit sound transmission. Mass Loaded Vinyl, or MLV, is a popular sound barrier material across the sound management industry. Peacemaker® is Audimute's greener take on traditional MLV.

What is Mass Loaded Vinyl?

Mass Loaded Vinyl is a thin sheet of vinyl with tiny chemical compounds added to increase mass, and, therefore, increase sound-blocking properties.

What is Peacemaker?

Peacemaker is Audimute's eco-friendlier alternative to MLV. It is constructed with 90% post-consumer material, including recycled tire rubber, while also being flexible and durable. 

We offer two different thicknesses of Peacemaker:

Our 6mm Peacemaker Soundproofing Underlayment is intended for installation beneath a finished flooring, where it can significantly reduce the amount of vibration and impact noise. Think of it as a shock absorber.

Our 3mm Peacemaker Sound Barrier can be installed between walls, ceilings, and floors to significantly reduce airborne sound transmission. It's denser than the 6mm Peacemaker, which means it's more effective at blocking airborne sound.

How Does Peacemaker Compare to MLV in Effectiveness?

Sound Transmission Class, or STC, measures the ability of a material to block sound. The higher the STC rating, the better the sound-blocking. So, if the STC rating is 25, very little sound is getting blocked. At STC ratings of 45 and above, sound transmission is significantly reduced.

It can be difficult to compare the STC of both materials because different weights and thicknesses, as well as different applications (drywall, etc.), will result in different soundproofing effectiveness. That said, our Peacemaker Soundproofing Underlayment - 6 mm was tested over a 6" concrete slab with Click-Lock LVT flooring, resulting in a STC Rating of 50 and an IIC (or Impact Insulation Class) Rating of 57. Different MLV applications will result in different STC ratings, but we have found that Peacemaker is comparable in effectiveness.

How Do I Install Peacemaker?

Peacemaker typically requires new construction for installation, whether in floors and walls. Click those links to read more about the actual installation steps. In both instances, however, seam sealing tape or acoustical sealant should be used to limit places where sound can get through.

A quieter life at home or at work without excessive sound transmission is a goal for many of us. And whether you opt for Peacemaker or another material on the market for your soundproofing needs, be sure to exercise safety and caution during installation. If you have any questions about Peacemaker or top soundproofing practices, please call us at 1.866.505.MUTE!

Anyone who has ever lived in an apartment, duplex, dorm room, or any other type of multi-unit housing knows that noise from fellow tenants can be an ongoing issue. In fact, a 2017 survey from HotPads found 26% of renters regretted their apartments' noise level, while a 2022 study determined 54% of renters surveyed wanted some form of "noise insulation" for their home.

Simply put, noise levels and sound containment are a huge issue for renters. Unfortunately, there's usually nothing they can do about it: soundproofing involves increasing mass and significantly reducing air flow to keep sound from getting through. It usually requires new construction such as tearing up walls or adding a drop ceiling, and most leases and rental agreements explicitly forbid the tenant doing any renovation or construction work on the unit without first obtaining the permission of the owner. That permission is unlikely to be granted.

The short-term nature of apartment living is also a deterrent. Even if a renter had permission from the landlord and could spend the time and money to install soundproofing materials, they'd be fixing a problem that would no longer be theirs once they moved out of the apartment.

All that said, let's look at a few ways to control sound entering your apartment.

1. Talk to Your Landlord

First things first: reach out to your landlord (or the property management company that handles your apartment) to discuss the sound issues you're facing. If these noise complaints have been persistent among other residents in the building or former occupants of your apartment, your landlord may decide it's finally time to install soundproofing or noise-blocking materials to resolve the problem once and for all.

2. Add Sound-Blocking Materials

Let's assume your landlord is NOT going to add soundproofing materials and also has NOT given you permission to do so. You're on your own, and you need some way to mitigate the sound you're hearing. And you need solutions that won't cause permanent damage to the unit you're renting.

Start by identifying places in your apartment where sound is entering. Doors and windows are two big culprits. 

For doors, consider adding a door sweep or some kind of door seal kit. Since sound waves can travel anywhere that air can go, the gaps around a door are particularly vulnerable to sound transmission. Caulk and weatherstripping are also options, but will be more difficult to remove if you move out of the apartment.

Similarly, gaps around windows should be addressed. Thick curtains hung over windows may help to dampen some sound entering from the outside. There are also DIY window plugs or inserts made with mass-loaded vinyl that can help. While these DIY solutions may be more cost-effective than off-the-shelf solutions, they also require labor and tools, and as such may not be an option for everyone.

isolé® Sound Barrier Sheet from Audimute was designed to be mounted over doors and windows to block sound. Instead of a layer of Mass-Loaded Vinyl, isolé uses Peacemaker®, an eco-friendlier alternative made with 90% post-consumer material. It's also portable, allowing you to take it with you when you move out of your apartment.

Peacemaker is also available on its own in 3mm and 6mm thicknesses. It can be used for DIY soundproofing solutions such as window plugs, or it can be applied in more permanent construction-heavy soundproofing solutions such as decoupling walls, adding a drop ceiling, or subflooring. Again, however, these installations usually require thousands of dollars and permission from your landlord, and, in many cases, your local government.

3. Talk to Your Neighbors

It's the simplest solution ... and maybe the most difficult. But it's usually easier to control sound by going to the source of it. If your upstairs neighbor's footsteps are easily heard in your apartment, for example, talk with them about adding a thick rug to the floor area above your unit. Similarly, if their TV or stereo can easily be heard from your apartment, talk with them about lowering the volume or agreeing to certain "quiet hours".

There's unfortunately not an easy solution for soundproofing in apartments or dorm rooms, but by working with your neighbors, reaching out to your landlord, or adding temporary solutions over doors, windows, and other sound entry points yourself, you may be able to find a solution that makes the noise a little more tolerable.

Happy National Golf Month from Audimute! 
 
The golf simulator market is, if you'll pardon the pun, in full swing. According to the National Golf Foundation, an estimated 6.2 million Americans played in some sort of golf simulator in 2023, while Wise Guy Reports forecasts a 11.5% growth rate in the home golf simulator industry over the next eight years. 
 
And while the main components of a good golf simulator  – a tracking system, a projector, a screen, simulation software, a hitting mat – are as familiar to a seasoned golfer as tees and putters, one area that often gets neglected is acoustics. 
 
Here's why your golf simulator needs an acoustic treatment: 
 

1. Better Sound for You 
   
   The peaceful pastoral sounds of a regular outdoor game of golf are replaced in a golf simulator by the hard thuds, thumps, and thwacks of the golf ball hitting the impact screen and ricocheting off walls. If not properly treated, these loud noises can quickly get more infuriating than a missed five-foot putt. 
    
   And if you're using golf simulation software that provides real-time feedback via AI or other features, you need to able to clearly hear that without bad acoustics burying it under echo and reverb.  
    
   Sound-absorbing features in your golf simulator like our AcoustiColor® panels or Sound Absorption Sheets will help soak up these sounds to give you the clarity and peace of mind you need to focus on your game. We recommend placing them along points of reflection on the side walls and the back wall (the back wall is also a great spot for one of our several golf-themed Acoustic Image Panels).
2. Better Sound for Others 
    
   Is your golf sim in your basement, garage, or another part of your home? Or maybe it's in a special rec room in the office next to areas where employees are trying to do work? You may want to control the sound so it's not disturbing others.  
    
   Acoustic panels themselves won't soundproof a golf sim, but they will help dampen some noise transmission. A more comprehensive soundproofing option like our Peacemaker® sound barrier will drastically cut down on sound leaving the space, BUT adding it will usually require new construction, so it's best to incorporate it before installing your golf sim.
3. Protects Your Walls 
    
   The walls of a golf simulator definitely take a beating over time. Traditionally, carpet, turf, netting, or foam have been used to limit wear and tear, but their sound-absorbing properties are, at best, limited.
    
   Acoustic solutions like our Audimute Strata® or AcoustiColor panels not only help with the sound in your golf sim, but they are also dense and resilient, protecting your surfaces from golf balls gone wild.
4. Looks Great 
    
   Sound absorption and wall protection in a golf sim are important, but aesthetics matter, too. Again, carpet and turf can add color or texture, but our Audimute acoustic options take it to the next level.
   
   Looking for a rustic elegance that evokes the "Cliffs of Doom" at Pebble Beach? Try our Audimute Strata in Commanding Clay or Granite Run. Want something simpler that brings to mind the sprawling fairways of Augusta National? Check out our AcoustiColor tiles or panels, available in Hep Green, Organic Green, or any other color available from Sherwin-Williams or other leading commercial brands.

Whether installed in a home, a business, or the clubhouse at the local golf course, a golf simulator is a serious investment, both financially and spatially. Make sure you're getting the most out of that investment by incorporating great acoustics, too!