With so many different products out there that help with soundproofing, it can sometimes be troubling to find things that work the way people want. Plenty of options contribute to a certain degree, but people are looking for the best value out there possible.
Both Green Glue and resilient channels are reliable options for people to pick that help with any type of soundproofing. Whether it is brand new construction or an area that has very old construction it relies on, soundproofing measures can go a long way towards making the area much more tolerable.
This article is about breaking down two of the most well-known soundproofing materials out there. In the end, people can make decisions based on their own personal projects depending on what is most important to them.
Green Glue Noise Proofing Compound / Sealant
There is no doubt that Green Glue is one of the best options out there for any type of soundproofing project. It is not actually glue in the most common sense, but it focuses on helping seal those harder places to provide great overall results.
Most people will be able to see a pretty significant sound reduction when using Green Glue between two layers of 5/8″ drywall. This is the most common use, and that added bit of material certainly helps bring everything together.
To install Green Glue, first put on a layer of drywall with an acoustic compound. Then the second wall goes on, with there is Green Glue attached. It is straightforward for even beginners to do, as it just smears on like any type of adhesive would.
Green Glue (Amazon Link) is a brand name, so it is going to be a bit more expensive than something from a non-brand.
It is essential to use Green Glue pretty liberally (two tubes per sheet of drywall) because otherwise, it is not going to do the same type of soundproofing that one would expect. (source)
It gets a bit expensive when more is used, but it is better to do it all at once instead of having to go back and do it again.
One of the main reasons why people love using Green Glue Sealant compared to other soundproofing methods is that it is very flexible. When a material is flexible, it can absorb sound and energy a little bit better. The more it absorbs, the harder it is for the other side of the wall to get that type of sound.
Here is a video where I go further into details regarding Green Glue and how it matches up with another soundproofing product called Mass Loaded Vinyl.
Resilient Channel
Many people have counted on resilient silent channels (Amazon) for quite a long time. It is one of the oldest ways to soundproof a room, and it is easy enough to pull off for most.
Most of these channels are entirely non-corrosive, so that means they will last for a long time without needing any additional fixes.
They are mostly used for soundproofing, not only dry walls but ceilings as well. They work by isolating the drywall from the studs, which helps to eliminate sound waves from going to the next room.
Many people start with a resilient channel, and then they start adding additional soundproof materials if they need more effectiveness overall. (source)
Resilient channels work well enough for a lot of people by themselves. It is most likely what is used in an apartment or hotel room so that people can use them in their homes as well. As long as they are accurately installed, there should be no issues with their overall effectiveness.
Even though it can be pretty straightforward to install resilient channels, beginners are recommended to seek out professional advice. This is to make sure that everything is done the right way the first time, instead of running the risk of things not going exactly as planned.
Comparing the Two Options
The reason why people gravitate towards Green Glue comes down to a few different factors. For starters, many consider it the best overall value as far as price. If applied the right way, People see a major difference in controlling sound.
It can completely seal off air transfers that people might not be aware of that much. They are often overlooked with more traditional soundproofing methods, but Green Glue can fix that.
Applying more or less Green Glue is also very beneficial to customize every project out there. No one wants to be relying on one set method that can’t be customized as well. It usually leads to a lot of frustration, and additional fixes that may or may not work.
The drawbacks to Green Glue can be frustrating for some, and perhaps the biggest one is that it takes about a week for everything to dry off. That wait is not that long in the grand scheme of things, but projects that need finished and fully functional are hard to pull off with Green Glue taking all that time.
It takes a long time to dry, but it seemingly dries quickly on skin and clothes. Make sure to use proper protection when applying Green Glue, or it could lead to a lot of frustration.
Resilient channels are perfect to use virtually everywhere, as people use them on walls, ceilings, plasterboards, and more. It provides solid soundproofing for several different channels, and it is really not that hard to install.
When done the right way, it is a very highly effective way that professionals rely on every day to provide quietness.
Resilient channels do cost more money than an acoustic sealant, so make sure to budget appropriately before starting down that route. There is also an outside chance of causing a short circuit with resilient channels. This is one reason why it is recommended to use a professional to get the installation process completed.
Also, remember that a combination of these two materials and other soundproofing methods are going to work best for most setups. Some people think that they can only use one option, but a combination of things really helps out. It depends on just how much soundproofing needs to be done, and what a person‘s budget is for a project.
Watch the video below where I talk about resilient channel and sound isolation clips for soundproofing.
What is the Final Pick?
If anyone is looking for the answer between Green Glue and resilient channels, unfortunately, there is not going to be a concrete one here. That is simply because projects can vary so much that it is impossible to choose one over the other for everything.
The part of the room that needs soundproofing is probably the biggest step to determine which option is best. Green Glue is very good for ceilings and walls, while resilient channels have even more versatility.
They provide a bit more of a professional soundproofing look for many, and it is hard to argue with so much success over the years.
For people who are on a tight budget, Green Glue is probably the best way to start with a soundproofing project. Not only is the material itself a little cheaper, but it can be installed entirely without any additional experience.
Any resilient channel project runs the risk of errors being made if someone new tries it for the first time. Do not be ashamed ever to hire a professional to help out with a project.
Many people who are looking into soundproofing want to make sure that they do everything correctly. Failure to do so is going to lead to frustration down the road. It might cost a little bit more than a person was hoping for, but it is usually worth it in the end. They will be able to identify any nagging issues that could make a soundproofing project a bit more problematic.