Just about everyone is familiar with how caulk can benefit any set up at a home, business, office, or any other type of property. When two materials coming together, there needs to be something to close off the gaps.
Standard caulk works well for a lot of people, but it might not provide the same type of soundproofing as an acoustic sealant, or more specifically, Green Glue.
Green Glue has turned into the standard for people who want a better sounding indoors. Is it the best of the best? Some people swear by the product, while others feel like other companies are catching up.
Here is a look at the difference between Green Glue and the competition, and whether or not it is worth it in the end.
What is Green Glue?
Green Glue is a noise proofing sealant that helps to fill any gaps where two surfaces meet. This can be where the wall meets the floor, the ceiling, or another wall. Some people even use it for smaller areas such as around and outlet, a switch box, or something similar.
It is not glue in the same sense that some people think of a product like that, but it is very much counted on as a finishing touch to soundproof an area just a bit better.
When appropriately used, the sealant increases the Sound Transmission Class rating (STC). People love the fact that it allows imperfections to be fixed in a matter of seconds. All it takes is one or two days to dry completely, and it is fine to paint over so that everything blends together well.
Green Glue is non-hazardous, produces no noticeable odor, and lasts a long time. It is also fire resistant, and helps do its part by being environmentally friendly.
As for limitations, Green Glue really works best when closing a gap that is half an inch or less. Anything over that has a chance of not turning out as expected.
It could not hold up over time, or it might not seal at all. It does a great job of helping with acoustics, but Green Glue is not considered an excellent sealant for any type of liquid. For something like that, an alternative would work a bit better.
Green Glue has turned into such a popular noise proofing sealant that there are competitors out there that don’t go by the same brand name. Most people still stick with Green Glue over the others, but it is something worth considering if a person really wants to stay under a budget.
What Is an Acoustic Sealant?
An Acoustic Sealant (Amazon) pretty much covers everything that falls under competitors for Green Glue, including the product itself.
Since Green Glue has dominated the market, they are often in a class by themselves. The truth is, there are plenty of acoustic sealant options, and some might provide slightly better overall help.
Most believe that an acoustic sealant works much better than any regular type of sealant, especially for a soundproofing project. It is very efficient at getting the job done, and there are many other benefits as well. (source)
For starters, an acoustic sealant is a little more flexible than standard models out there. Since it does not harden up, it is less prone to any type of shrinkage or cracks as well. This helps out a lot when applying the sealant, as a person does not have to be exact when finishing things off.
Durability is also a significant selling point for acoustic ceilings. Part of that comes down to not cracking, but it is also just a more durable, firmer material in general. Just make sure to allow it to dry as it should, and everything else should work just fine.
All this adds up to a pretty rubber-like material that is very permanent if applied correctly. Just make sure to clean it off and check for any imperfections from time to time, and it should provide plenty of assistance for years. Many people apply acoustic ceiling one time, and they forget about having to do anything else for a long time.
When comparing all the other acoustic ceilings to Green Glue, there are a lot of shared characteristics. Maybe the most significant difference between the broad term of an acoustic sealant is that there are alternatives out there that actually help with other issues quite well.
For example, there are clearer options for those who do not want anything to be noticed, there are stronger options, and there are even options that help fight off liquids.
Green Glue has been marketed extremely well, and it does a great job with soundproofing. In fact, it is still the standard that everyone else is trying to catch up to. With that said, not everyone has the same needs, and that is why some of the alternatives can thrive.
Some of the best acoustic sealants from other companies include Big Stretch Sashco Caulk and Franklin International Sound Sealant.
Both companies do a fantastic job of competing directly with Green Glue, and people are having a lot of success using them as alternatives.
Where Can Green Glue and Acoustic Sealants Work?
Most people understand that this specific sealant is used for any gaps and seams in buildings. Wherever there is a joint between two materials, it should work just fine. On top of that, some people will opt to use a sealant around any wiring, doors, windows, and more.
It does an outstanding job of sealing smaller areas, and also keeping them as secure as possible. In smaller areas, an acoustic sealant helps keep out water and air, as well as sound.
Homeowners certainly benefit from using any type of acoustic sealant out there. It can make the difference between a room being particularly noisy, and shut off for the rest of the property. The same goes for anyone who has a business or commercial site.
About the only place it does not work particularly well is when submerged underwater. It can get wet from time to time, but it is better to go with a silicon type of sealant if the plan is to be underwater frequently.
What’s the Best Application Process?
Just like a standard type of caulk, any kind of acoustic sealant comes in a tube that is easy to put into a gun to apply. It is best to go this route, because it allows for quite a bit of precision just about anywhere.
It is tough to squeeze the sealant out when not using a gun. It just makes the work environment a little cleaner, and speeds up the process as well.
It is crucial to smooth over the bead as much as possible with a caulking tool later on. This is to make sure that it has a great final look. Just don’t press too hard with any caulking tools, because that could end up removing too much of the caulk in the end.
Finally, don’t rush the drying process for acoustic caulk or sealant. It just makes no sense, since this is something that will last a long time.
Wait that extra day or two so that it is completely dry. Once it is dry, that is when it can be painted over, or any other alteration and can be completed.
Is Green Glue Really Worth the Price?
They are certainly some quality acoustic sealant out there not named Green Glue, but it is hard to find anything wrong with the original.
There is nothing wrong with going with something not named Green Glue, but it might be a little more difficult to find high-quality material to work with. Make sure to read up on any new company, and see what reviews are saying about their product.
Green Glue is certainly something that comes in a premium, but don’t instantly shy away from that. In the end, it comes down to using something that a person feels very comfortable with at all times.