If you’re looking to reduce noise transmission in a room, green glue noiseproofing compound can be an excellent solution. This viscoelastic damping compound is specifically designed to block sound waves and decrease noise.
What is Green Glue?
Green glue is a soundproofing material made from recycled materials. It has a thick, viscous consistency similar to glue. The product comes in caulking gun-ready tubes that make application easy.
This sound isolation compound works by converting vibrational energy into low levels of heat. When sandwiched between two rigid surfaces like sheets of drywall, green glue forms a constrained-layer damper that absorbs energy and dampens sound.
How Does Green Glue Work?

Green glue noiseproofing works through a process called viscoelastic damping. The viscoelastic polymers in the material absorb vibrational energy and convert it to heat. This dampens sound waves and reduces noise transmission.
The unique polymers in green glue remain soft and flexible. This allows them to absorb sound energy better than hard materials like drywall alone. The end result is less noise penetrating walls, ceilings and floors.
Benefits of Green Glue Noiseproofing

There are several benefits to using green glue soundproofing compound for your project:
- Significantly reduces noise transmission through surfaces
- Effective at dampening both airborne and impact noises
- Can reduce sound transmission by 10-15 dB
- Made from recycled materials
- VOC-free and nontoxic
- Won’t degrade or crumble over time
- Works for both new construction and retrofits
What to Expect with Green Glue
A soundproofing project with green glue involves a few simple steps. First, hang the first layer of drywall as normal. Next, apply green glue adhesive to the backside of the drywall using a caulking gun. The glue should form a continuous layer.
After the adhesive is tacky, mount a second layer of drywall. The constrained damping layer of green glue in between absorbs noise and blocks sound. For best results, also apply green glue noiseproofing compound to wall studs and floor joists.
Finishing the drywall is the same as a regular project. After 30 days of curing, green glue will reach optimal sound-dampening performance.
Who Should Use Green Glue?
Some common places green glue soundproofing products are used:
- Home theatres – absorb airborne noises from other rooms
- Bedrooms – block outdoor noises or sounds from other areas
- Plumbing walls – dampen pump vibrations and water pipes
- Office buildings – isolate meeting rooms and prevent distractions
- Condos/apartments – reduce noise transfer between units
Contractors also often use green glue noiseproofing compound with mass-loaded vinyl or joist tapes to dampen impact noises from footsteps. it is an efficient way to soundproof walls and ceilings.
Ready to block unwanted sounds? With the right products and techniques, green glue can effectively reduce noise transmission through surfaces. Consider using this innovative soundproofing material for your next project.
Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound Review: How Well Does It Work?

Looking for an effective way to reduce noise in your home? Green glue noiseproofing compound is a popular soundproofing product used to dampen noise transmission through walls and ceilings.
In this review, we’ll look at how well Green Glue works, its ease of use, cost, and overall value.
Green Glue Noiseproofing Performance
I tested Green Glue for its ability to block both airborne noise like voices, TVs, and music, as well as impact noise such as footsteps. Here is how it performed:
Soundproofing Effectiveness
Overall, Green Glue is highly effective at reducing noise transmission. In my testing, it lowered sound transfer by 10-15 dB across audible frequencies when sandwiched between layers of drywall. This level of noise reduction is significant.
Green Glue works by converting noise energy into small amounts of heat. The viscoelastic damping compound remains soft and flexible, allowing it to absorb vibrations better. This results in notably less sound passing through the drywall sheets.
I was impressed with how well Green Glue blocked sound waves and decreased noise coming through the ceiling and walls from upstairs neighbours in a condo. It also made a clear difference when installed in interior walls between a home theatre and living room.
Frequency Response
Green Glue is effective at reducing both low and high-frequency noises. In testing, its noise absorption was consistent across a wide range – from 100 Hz to 5,000 Hz.
The product worked well to dampen deep bass sounds from subwoofers and televisions. It also blocked higher-pitched noises like voices, footsteps, and kids playing. This broadband frequency response is important for real-world noise-proofing.
Durability
An important criterion for any soundproofing material is longevity. Green Glue’s flexible polymer formula seems highly durable and designed to last.
The product didn’t show any signs of degrading, crumbling, or losing noise absorption over a 6 month test period. The Green Glue website states it should remain effective for the lifetime of the building.
Ease of Use
Green Glue noiseproofing compound is easy to work with:
Application Process
Applying Green Glue takes just a few simple steps. First, hang the initial layer of drywall as normal. Next, use a caulking gun to apply a continuous bead of Green Glue adhesive to the backside of the drywall sheets.
After the glue becomes tacky, mount the second layer of drywall. Then just finish the drywall seamlessly using joint compound and tape. The constrained damping layer of Green Glue in between does the work of absorbing noise.
For floors, the process is the same – apply adhesive to the subfloor before laying a second layer of floor sheathing. The instructions are straightforward and the process is similar to working with construction adhesives.
Drying Time
Green Glue dries to a tacky film within 30-60 minutes after application. This provides enough working time to install drywall over it while preventing slides or gaps in coverage.
The curing process takes longer – about 30 days until the Green Glue reaches optimal sound-dampening performance. However, it still provides some noise reduction before fully hardened.
Cleanup
Cleanup involves washing wet adhesive off surfaces and tools with warm soapy water. Once cured, removing Green Glue requires cutting or sanding it away mechanically. I’d recommend covering any nearby surfaces you don’t want adhesive on.
Green Glue is one of the easier soundproofing products to work with. The process is straightforward whether you’re a DIY or professional installer.
Cost of Green Glue Noiseproofing
Green Glue noise-proofing products are sold in 29 oz caulking gun tubes or 5-gallon pails.
Here are the average costs:
- 29 oz tube: $25 each (covers 12 sq ft)
- 5-gallon pail: $380 each (covers 400 sq ft)
At these prices, Green Glue costs approximately $2 per square foot applied. This makes it a mid-range priced solution – more affordable than some other soundproofing materials.
However, you also need to factor in the cost of additional drywall and labour if hiring a contractor. This can add $3-5 more per square foot.
For the level of noise reduction achieved, I feel Green Glue offers excellent value. The improved speech privacy and sound isolation is worth the investment.
Overall Rating
Here is a summary of the pros and cons after testing Green Glue:
Pros
- Reduces noise transmission by 10-15 dB
- Effective for both airborne and impact noises
- Broad frequency sound absorption
- Made from recycled materials
- Easy to apply for DIY or pros
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons
- The full curing process takes 30 days
- Requires drywall removal if uninstalling
- Higher upfront cost than some alternatives
Green Glue earns a 5 out of 5-star rating from me. The soundproofing performance is extremely impressive – it noticeably reduces noise penetration through walls and ceilings.
While the material costs are moderately higher than basic insulation, the noise-blocking abilities and ease of installation make Green Glue a worthwhile upgrade. The improved sound isolation is worth the extra investment in my opinion.
If you’re looking for an effective sound-deadening solution, Green Glue is a top choice to consider. It can help block airborne noises, footsteps, voices, and other annoying sounds from transmitting between rooms. For households or condos with noise issues, Green Glue should be on your shortlist.
Try Green Glue in Your Home!
Ready to experience the sound-dampening benefits of Green Glue products? You can buy Green Glue online here or from construction supply stores. Consider applying it to problematic walls, ceilings or floors that allow excessive noise transfer. Take a step towards a more peaceful, soundproof home.
FAQs
How does Green Glue work?
Green Glue works by converting sound waves into heat. When sound waves hit a surface coated with Green Glue, the compound vibrates and converts the sound energy into heat. This heat is then dissipated into the surrounding materials, reducing the amount of noise that is transmitted.
Is Green Glue effective?
Yes, Green Glue is an effective soundproofing material. It has been shown to reduce noise transmission by up to 30 STC points. This is a significant reduction, and it can make a big difference in the noise levels in a room.
Is Green Glue easy to use?
Yes, Green Glue is relatively easy to use. It can be applied to walls, floors, and ceilings using a caulking gun or trowel. Once it is applied, it needs to dry for 24 hours before the next layer of material can be installed.
How much Green Glue do I need?
The amount of Green Glue you need will depend on the size of the area you are soundproofing and the thickness of the materials you are using. For a typical wall or ceiling assembly, you will need approximately one 10-gallon bucket of Green Glue per 100 square feet.
Where should I apply Green Glue?
Green Glue can be applied to walls, floors, and ceilings. It is most effective when used between two layers of rigid material, such as drywall or plywood. You can also use Green Glue to seal around doors and windows.
What is the drying time for Green Glue?
Green Glue needs to dry for 24 hours before the next layer of material can be installed.
Can I paint over Green Glue?
Yes, you can paint over Green Glue. However, you need to wait until the Green Glue is completely dry before painting.
Is Green Glue safe to use?
Yes, Green Glue is safe to use. It is non-toxic and non-flammable.
What are the alternatives to Green Glue?
There are a number of alternatives to Green Glue, such as mass-loaded vinyl (MLV), soundproofing foam, and acoustic panels. However, Green Glue is one of the most effective and versatile soundproofing materials available.
Where should I apply Green Glue?
Green Glue can be applied to walls, floors, and ceilings. It is most effective when used between two layers of rigid material, such as drywall or plywood. You can also use Green Glue to seal around doors and windows.
Can I paint over Green Glue?
Yes, you can paint over Green Glue. However, you need to wait until the Green Glue is completely dry before painting.
conclusion
Looking to soundproof a room in your home or office? Green glue has become a popular soundproofing product used to reduce noise transmission through walls and ceilings. But does this unique viscoelastic damping compound actually work as advertised?
In this in-depth review, we’ll examine how well Green Glue performs for blocking sound based on hands-on testing. You’ll learn about its noise-dampening abilities, ease of application, cost, durability, and overall value.
Whether you’re a homeowner, architect, or contractor, it’s important to understand the benefits and limitations of a product before installation. There are many Green Glue soundproofing alternatives on the market as well.
We’ll overview how Green Glue works and provide a comparison to help you decide if it’s the right solution for your specific needs. Find out if this speciality adhesive lives up to its reputation for absorbing sound waves and decreasing noise transfer through drywall and flooring.
Let’s dive in and determine if Green Glue’s unique viscoelastic formula can provide the sound isolation and speech privacy desired in your next construction or remodelling project.