About Green Glue Damping Compound

What is Green Glue:

Green Glue is a visco-elastic damping compound. In simple terms that means that it dampens vibrations. The reason it is such a fabulous soundproofing material is because sound is an energy wave that travels by vibration. It travels through the air by vibrating air molecules and through walls and ceilings by vibrating them as well. (Actually sound travels faster through a solid than through air due to the fact that the molecules are closer together in a solid). The better damped a material is the quicker it will dissipate (disperse) the sound energy into heat energy, to keep it simple, it will stop the vibrations quickly.

Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound is used between two or more sheets of commonly specified building materials such as drywall, plywood, and OSB, to reduce the amount of sound transmission between two rooms. Typical applications are for wall, floor, and ceiling assemblies to reduce airborne and impact noise.

Advantages & Features of Green Glue:

  • Fast – Quickly applied with no measuring or troweling needed
  • Easy – Simple to dispense with no specific application pattern necessary
  • Neat - Soap and water cleanup (before drying)
  • Versatile – For use in new construction, remodels, and retrofits
  • Quality - Up to 10 times the performance of competitive products 
  • Proven – Leading manufacturer of soundproofing technologies
  • Trusted – Used by builders, contractors, architects, and DIYers
  • Multi-Purpose – For use in walls, ceilings, and floors in a variety of applications
  • Tested – Independently tested by Underwriters Laboratories for fire safety and environmental impact
  • Safe - Low V.O.C. (see "Product Data" Tab)
  • Pleasant - Low odor
  • Effective – Validated by third-party laboratory testing
  • Sustainable - Can help achieve LEED Certification (see "Product Data" Tab)

Limitations of Green Glue:

  • Must be used between two rigid layers e.g. drywall, plywood, OSB, MDF.
  • Not a sealant or adhesive, therefore fasteners are necessary.
  • Intended for interior use only.
  • Not to be used in conjunction with a construction adhesive.

Green Glue Performance:

Green Glue is the highest performing damping compound to have been lab and field tested on the market today. It works in a Constrained Layer Damping System, meaning that it is applied in between two rigid layers. In practical terms Green Glue is applied between two layers of drywall (walls and/or ceilings) or two layers of plywood (sub flooring) etc. The result is that the two layers are now one larger damped material which dissipates sound energy very quickly and efficiently. All factory damped drywall use a damping compound in the middle in order to achieve sound proofing characteristics. However with green glue you will get better results a) because it is a better damping compound and b) because you are applying it between two full layers of drywall so your wall/ceiling/floor is heavier than if you were using one layer.

Green Glue ApplicationGreen Glue Cost & Application:

Green Glue is cheaper than factory damped panels and is also a very cost effective material due to the fact that it very simple to apply saving on labor costs and there is no waste. When you buy a factory damped drywall or a material like Mass Loaded Vinyl you end up losing material that has to be cut and thrown away, whereas with Green Glue you only apply it to the drywall that is already cut to size. Green Glue doesn't need any tools other than a standard quart size caulking gun. (When using Green Glue Buckets use of a bulk caulking gun is highly recommended). It is applied using 2 tubes for every 4 x 8 sheet (1 tube for every 4 x 4). Any random pattern will do and a tube can be dispensed in 30 seconds. The drywall is hung, screwed into place and finished like any other standard drywall installation.

For actual installation hang your first layer of drywall then apply the Green Glue either on the face of the hung layer or on the back of the 2nd layer that you are about to hang (this is the most popular way). Screw the 2nd layer of drywall all the way to the studs. Green Glue does not work by decoupling or by creating an air space, so feel comfortable screwing the 2nd layer of drywall tightly to the 1st layer. The above applies as well if you are adding a 3rd layer of drywall with a 2nd layer of Green Glue (make sure you use longer screws that can reach the studs). This technique is also used when you are installing drywall on to Whisper Clips and Hat Channel, just make sure to screw into the channel in place of the joists.

Results:

A standard 2 x 4 wall 16" OC with 1 layer of drywall on each side has an STC rating of approximately 32. A double layer of drywall with Green Glue installed on one side of the same wall will give you an STC of approximately 45 (compare that to 2-3 points achieved with insulation, MLV or just another layer of drywall) a 2nd layer of drywall with Green Glue on the other side will give you an additional 4-5 points, bringing your wall up to a STC of about 50. On 24" OC studs or on metal framed studs you can achieve ratings of 56-59.

Do you still need more information about Green Glue? Give us a call at 845-388-1200.

For additional information check out the following links:

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Customers Questions and Answers

1) Tatiana: I am using the green glue compound between 2 sheet rocks. Will it make a difference if I insulate my walls or not for sound dampening?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Yes it will make a big difference. When GG is applied there is less sound transferred through the stud work and more sound in the air cavities. The insulation there will help absorb a lot of that sound energy.

2) Melissa: Hi! I'm planning on doing two layers of drywall on our walls and ceiling in our living room with green glue to help with the noise of cars driving by with loud bass and a nearby highway. We are removing the existing cover (it's paneling) first and then doing two 5/8" drywall sheets with GG. However I'm not sure on two things. The first is regarding the windows - should the jamb and head be two layers with GG as well? What about the window sill? Second, with two layers we can move the outlets forward but what about the door to the outside? Any suggestions since the wall will be so much thicker? Thanks for the great site! I look forward to ordering my GG soon :) Thanks, Melissa

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Mellisa, If you can get double layer of drywall with GG on the jambs and header it will only make it better, otherwise it will be fine too,. Just be sure to seal all gaps with Acoustical caulk. As for the door jambs, there is something called an extension jamb for that ask your local contractor, same goes for the outlet boxes which can usually be adjusted quite easily. Thank You.

3) Emma: Hello, I spoke to someone the other day about our new construction. I know you don't sell it but what do you think of Quiet Rock - it seems it would be lighter and less labor intensive to install than green glue and double layering dry wall. Many thanks, Emma.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Emma. The points you make are true. However the heavier and more mass you have the better it is for sound. Additionally when using 2 layers of drywall you can overlap the seams. Another advantage to using the GG is that you are sure to put on the correct amount of damping compound 1 tube for every 16 sf. Another advantage is actual damping properties of GG are the highest and best in the industry and finally there is no waste of expensive GG only of standard drywall.

4) John G: I run a car shop with a dynamometer. When the dyno is in use the noise can be quite loud. We want to use the MLV 2lbs for our outside fence and a mobile shield behind the car. What material can the shield be made of. We were thinking a wooden fence of 3/4" plywood with the MLV over the plywood. Also is 3lb of MLV (1lb+2lb) more effective than a 2" alone? Thank you.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi John, that assembly should work. We also have specialty outdoor curtains you can use, see the link here. https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/Sound-Curtain-Heavy-Duty-Permanent-Applications.html

5) Pat: I am in an office with 1/2 drywall on 2x4 studs I can hear every word that is spoken in complete detail as if they were in the same office. Suggestions? (the sound seems to come through the walls and not the ceiling) thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Pat, You need to treat the wall and the ceiling. The wall would need a 2nd layer of drywall with Green Glue and the ceiling which would require the use of Ceiling Tile Barriers https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/Ceiling-Tiles-Sound-Barrier.html We will be posting a video in the next few weeks showing office soundproofing you can subscribe if you would like to be notified when it posts. http://bit.ly/subscribetmsoundproofing Thank You,

6) Karina: Dear TM, could you tell me, would a retrofit (i.e., add over existing indoor wall) consisting of GreenGlue + QuietRock layer added, be better, marginally better, or worse, than GreenGlue + Regular Drywall layer added? Thank you, Karina

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Karina, It would be marginally better.

7) Norene: Can you use drywall with green glue over existing walls in a home built in the 50's to achieve noise reduction?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Norene, Yes Green Glue is commonly used over existing walls.

8) Kym: I had an addition put on the house over the master which has turned into a guest suite. I can actually hear guest snoring like they were practically next to me! Without having to completely dismantle either room, can I get any relief worth investing in ? (And by what method?)

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Kym. Easiest would be to install carpet on the guest bedroom floor and use our premium carpet underlayment as the padding.

9) Jeremy W: I should have a added this to my prior question: So I want to practice under my daugher's room. More info: it's a 1st floor corner room, so I am wondering whether I should buff only the two inner walls and ceiling, or is there going to be benefit from doing all 4 walls & ceiling? Conversely, should I treat my daughter's floor instead of tackling my ceiling? Thanks for you thoughts.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If the outer walls are framed then you should treat those as well, otherwise sound can get into those walls and travel upwards behind the area of the treated ceiling. You are better of treating the ceiling here as you are trying to prevent the sound from below.

10) Ron B: How long has Green Glue been on the market?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Since 2003

11) Maria: Hi I have 4 apt building built 1927 with noisy wood floors, a tenant suggested the use of Green Glue with the layers of Drywall over the ceiling of the first floor apartment to isolate the noise coming from the second floor apt , do you think this product will work?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If your issue is footfall sound than you will not get much relief (maybe 30-50%). You also have to have insulation in the ceiling for the added layer with Green Glue to be effective. For airborne sound it would work very well. The proper way would be to decouple the ceiling.

12) Jason C: Hi! I am building a music practice room (mostly drumset, so 110-120 dB) and I would like it to be as quiet as possible outside as the neighbor's kitchen is less than 15 feet away from the outside walls of the room. The room is an addition to our house that sits on the same concrete pad as the house and also the outdoor patio, so I know that has some negative effect. The room is 2x4 construction with OSB and siding exterior wall on three sides, and interior wall on one side. I have already installed R13 fiberglass in the cavities, then resilient channel and two layers of 5/8" FireCode drywall with Green Glue. Questions...do I need to do something extreme on the floor to keep sound from vibrating through the concrete pad out to the patio and into the house or will a thick underlayment and finish floor be sufficient? Also, would I gain much by installing a third layer of drywall with Green Glue, (maybe 1/2 lightweight since I already have double 5/8 hanging on resilient channel)? I have eliminated all outlets and light fixtures or any other leakage points, and I have a steel exterior door and a second Double 3/4" MDF with Green Glue door after that, so I think I have eliminated most of the other weak points. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Hi Jason. A double subfloor with Green Glue should be sufficient for the floor. You can test the sound before you do the finishing and then decide if a third layer is necessary.

13) Mark: Hi - I am renovating an old apartment in Spain. The exisiting walls are 2 layers of lightweight brick separated by an airspace. The apartment is very small and space is an absolute premium - Will it be effective to install drywall directly onto the existing brick wall with a layer of Green Glue between the brick and the drywall? What would you suggest as the most effective solution that takes less than, say 2-3 inches? Thanks!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Somewhat effective, however very comprised because there is no air space with insulation behind it. Additionally you would need 2 layers of drywall. Brick and drywall is not the right combination.

14) Mark: Wow - That was quick! Thanks for the answer. Much appreciated and really helps me with the decisions about how much space to sacrifice - So I'll install a narrow frame, fill it with fibreglass and attach 2 layers of drywall (GreenGlue in between) onto the frame. Best plan given the space constraints? Mark

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Your welcome. Yes it is.

15) Carolyn W: I need to stop or at least hinder the noise of water rushing down through the pipes from the second floor. The pipe is a cast iron pipe thru a wall interior on both sides of the wall, sheet rock on both sides, framed with 2X4 wall studs. My contractor keeps telling me there is no room for wrapping the pipe. I can remove the sheet rock on a four foot section of the wall. Then what? Green glue? Should I use your mass loaded vinyl? Time is short. Thank you so much for your help.

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Mass loaded vinyl around the pipe and another layer of drywall with Green Glue on the walls. Getting any type of fluffy insulation in there would make the job that much better. Keep in mind for good results you would need to do the entire wall (and ceiling).

16) George C: I am "noiseproofing" a small room adjacent to a larger room where the noise is coming from. Planning on insulating the interior walls with blown in cellulose. my only option at this point. is blown in cellulose effective?? I will also be using the green glue joint sealant at floor & ceiling. second question, from construction perspective , it will be easier to put 2nd layer of sheetrock with green glue on the "interior" wall which I want to be quiet versus the larger room side of the wall where the noise is coming from. does it matter which side of the wall, the 2nd sheetrock & greenglue is applied on?? thanks george

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Yes cellulose is effective. Green Glue will work on either side. We prefer to install on the "noisy" side however when that is not possible the other side works well too.

17) Michael B: I live in a Condo that has interior halls that are made of Tile and Concrete walls. All sounds travel through our double Fire Proof door into our Condo. I can hear everything. What can be done

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

You need to soundproof your door. See this article https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/How-To-Soundproof-a-Door.html

18) Ryan: I need to calculate the total thickness of the walls. When you apply green glue between 2 layers of sheetrock do I need to add 1/8th of an inch for the layer of glue?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: No. It is .5mm, really negligible when considering thickness.

19) Trish: Trying to figure out how to block sound of neighbor's bass. We are in a Single family residence. Trying to decide how to get best results for blocking low frequency sound. Thinking of adding GG and drywall to existing drywall, or Is it advisable to remove existing drywall, add a layer of MLV, then add drywall/GG/drywall?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If there is insulation in the wall already than you should add 2 layers of drywall and 2 layers of Green Glue. If not than you need to open the wall.

20) Rachel : Noise is traveling through an interior wall between our home and adjacent in law unit - it seems green glue and a second layer drywall should help but what do we use inside the wall to stop noise travelling up the wall cavity into our bedroom? We don't share any common floors/ceilings, just this one wall that's interior on the ground floor and becomes an exterior wall for our master on the second floor. Thanks

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Adding to the wall at the sound source, in law unit, should help stop some of the sound from getting into the wall. You should have insulation in the wall as a starter.

21) Cherie D: My mom is 81 years old and lives on a very busy street and the traffic noise keeps her awake. Can you give me any ideas as to what to do in her bedroom to help with the noise?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

Hi Cherie. Soundproofing an existing room can be complex. Here is an article to give you an idea https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/soundproofing-existing-rooms-walls-ceilings.html

22) Ana: I am building a temporary wall in between bedrooms and need it to be as soundproof as possible. My plan is to put roll insulation between drywall. Will it make a difference to add green glue?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If you add the Green Glue between 2 layers of at least half inch drywall (each) then yes it would make a very big difference. About 9 STC points.

23) Peter: Hello - would it work to add Green Glue to the subfloor before laying 1/2" premium cork underlayment? If the next and final floor layer is an engineered floor such as Coretec would that be rigid enough to get the benefits of GG? Or is the underlayment cork too porous, even at 1/2" to work? Thanks!

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: It would help somewhat but not close to the full potential as the cork is porous and soft.

24) Alex m: Hi, I’m building a vocal booth (4x6ft) Do you think 3 layers of 5/8 MDF screwed together with green glue in between (for ceilings and walls) and an MDF + green glue reinforced solid core door would yield decent sound isolation? Aiming for 30db + reduction so I can sing at all hours! Thank you! :)

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: Yes. As long as you do the ceiling as well and have insulation in the walls and ceiling too.

25) avery: How much of a difference dose it make to insulate a celling with rock wool, install 2 layers of 5/8th drywall and with GG. verse the same procedure but using isolation clips and or channeling?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply: If you added the clips and channels it would boost it by about 10 STC points and would also make a very big difference for footfall sound.

26) Marty: I have an extremely noisy furnace in my cellar. It is louder where I have pipes coming up through the floor. Would it cut back on some of the noise to put some green glue between the floor and the pipes? Some of the pipes already have expanding foam? Should we remove that and replace with green glue or leave it and call those done?

Trademark Soundproofing Reply:

No the Green Glue would not help in that situation. You can try the vibration damping foil which gets attached directly to the pipes.