Soundproofing a Home Office for Remote Work: MLV and Acoustic Treatments
Why Soundproofing Your Home Office Is Essential
Remote work has made home offices a central part of our daily lives. However, productivity is often compromised by traffic noise, household chatter, or echo-filled rooms. Effective soundproofing creates a quiet, professional-grade workspace with improved focus, privacy for calls, and optimal voice clarity during virtual meetings.
The most effective strategy is a two-pronged approach:
Sound Isolation: Block outside noise using SoundBlanket® MLV.
Acoustic Treatment: Absorb internal echo using acoustic panels or felt finishes.
Step 1: Block External Noise with SoundBlanket® MLV
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is a dense yet flexible soundproofing membrane designed to stop airborne noise.
STC Ratings
2.5 mm → STC 29 (light residential use)
4 mm → STC 32 (urban homes, offices)
8 mm → STC 36 (premium-grade isolation)
Size & Density
Size: 32 x 4 ft rolls (10 m x 1.2 m) for seamless wall coverage
Density: 2100 kg/m³ | ASTM/EN/ISO certified
Fire Rating: Class A (safe for enclosed spaces)
How It Works
Installed behind drywall, cement boards, or gypsum partitions.
Adds a high-density barrier to walls, ceilings, or floors, blocking traffic noise, TV sound, and even loud conversations from adjacent rooms.
Step 2: Improve Voice Clarity with Acoustic Treatments
Once external noise is blocked, untreated interiors can still produce echo and reverberation, making calls sound hollow. Acoustic treatments absorb sound reflections, enhancing speech intelligibility.
Echsorbix® Felt Panels
NRC: 0.90
Thickness: 9–24 mm
Available in ColourMute™ shades or Mirage grooved PET designs for premium aesthetics.
Fabric-Wrapped Panels
Core: Rockwool-filled
NRC: 0.90 | Thickness: 50 mm
Ideal for professional offices needing high absorption with a decorative finish.
Acoustic Foam Panels
Shapes: Galaxy (concave), Pyramid, Curve
NRC: 0.90
Sizes: 6x3 ft or 1x1 ft tiles for precise coverage, ideal for smaller rooms.
Step 3: Seal Doors and Windows (Critical Weak Points)
Even with insulated walls, doors and windows are major leakage points.
EPDM Perimeter Seals & Bottom Sweeps
Close air gaps that leak 30–40% of noise.
Simple self-adhesive installation for effective soundproofing.
Soundproof Door Tiles
Composite of BassBloc® + Echsorbix® felt.
Converts hollow doors into dense, noise-resistant barriers.
Window Solutions
Soundproof Curtains (STC 27) block up to 80% of traffic noise.
Optional double-glazing or sealing kits for high-noise urban settings.
Layout & Coverage Guide for a 10x12 ft Home Office
Walls
MLV 4 mm + BassBloc® 20 mm on external/shared walls.
Acoustic Panels/Felt
Cover 30–50% of wall surface, focusing behind the desk and opposite wall for optimal voice clarity.
Doors
Seal edges + apply soundproof tiles if hollow-core.
Windows
Install soundproof curtains or glazing seals.
Case Study: Executive Home Office in Bangalore
Problem:
Roadside noise disrupted video conferences.
Result:
Achieved ~15 dB noise reduction, improved privacy, and professional-grade call quality.
Solution:
Installed SoundBlanket® MLV 4 mm (STC 32) on two external walls.
Added Echsorbix® felt panels (NRC 0.90) in ColourMute Ash Grey.
Sealed doors with EPDM tape and added soundproof curtains.
FAQs
A: No. Panels only treat internal echo. For isolation, MLV (STC-rated) + door/window seals are essential.
A: 30% coverage: Video calls and basic office needs.
50%+ coverage: For high privacy or noisy surroundings.
A: MLV + panels last 10+ years but can be retrofitted or removed without damaging base walls.
Conclusion: Build a Distraction-Free Workspace
A quiet home office boosts productivity, professionalism, and peace of mind. By combining SoundBlanket® MLV (STC 29–36) with acoustic panels (NRC 0.90), door seals, and soundproof curtains, you can create a high-performance work environment designed for today’s remote work demands.
Contact MMT Acoustix today for expert consultation, ASTM-certified materials, and tailored soundproofing packages for home offices
Remote work has made home offices a central part of our daily lives. However, productivity is often compromised by traffic noise, household chatter, or echo-filled rooms. Effective soundproofing creates a quiet, professional-grade workspace with improved focus, privacy for calls, and optimal voice clarity during virtual meetings.
The most effective strategy is a two-pronged approach:
Sound Isolation: Block outside noise using SoundBlanket® MLV.
Acoustic Treatment: Absorb internal echo using acoustic panels or felt finishes.
Step 1: Block External Noise with SoundBlanket® MLV
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is a dense yet flexible soundproofing membrane designed to stop airborne noise.
STC Ratings
2.5 mm → STC 29 (light residential use)
4 mm → STC 32 (urban homes, offices)
8 mm → STC 36 (premium-grade isolation)
Size & Density
Size: 32 x 4 ft rolls (10 m x 1.2 m) for seamless wall coverage
Density: 2100 kg/m³ | ASTM/EN/ISO certified
Fire Rating: Class A (safe for enclosed spaces)
How It Works
Installed behind drywall, cement boards, or gypsum partitions.
Adds a high-density barrier to walls, ceilings, or floors, blocking traffic noise, TV sound, and even loud conversations from adjacent rooms.
Step 2: Improve Voice Clarity with Acoustic Treatments
Once external noise is blocked, untreated interiors can still produce echo and reverberation, making calls sound hollow. Acoustic treatments absorb sound reflections, enhancing speech intelligibility.
Echsorbix® Felt Panels
NRC: 0.90
Thickness: 9–24 mm
Available in ColourMute™ shades or Mirage grooved PET designs for premium aesthetics.
Fabric-Wrapped Panels
Core: Rockwool-filled
NRC: 0.90 | Thickness: 50 mm
Ideal for professional offices needing high absorption with a decorative finish.
Acoustic Foam Panels
Shapes: Galaxy (concave), Pyramid, Curve
NRC: 0.90
Sizes: 6x3 ft or 1x1 ft tiles for precise coverage, ideal for smaller rooms.
Step 3: Seal Doors and Windows (Critical Weak Points)
Even with insulated walls, doors and windows are major leakage points.
EPDM Perimeter Seals & Bottom Sweeps
Close air gaps that leak 30–40% of noise.
Simple self-adhesive installation for effective soundproofing.
Soundproof Door Tiles
Composite of BassBloc® + Echsorbix® felt.
Converts hollow doors into dense, noise-resistant barriers.
Window Solutions
Soundproof Curtains (STC 27) block up to 80% of traffic noise.
Optional double-glazing or sealing kits for high-noise urban settings.
Layout & Coverage Guide for a 10x12 ft Home Office
Walls
MLV 4 mm + BassBloc® 20 mm on external/shared walls.
Acoustic Panels/Felt
Cover 30–50% of wall surface, focusing behind the desk and opposite wall for optimal voice clarity.
Doors
Seal edges + apply soundproof tiles if hollow-core.
Windows
Install soundproof curtains or glazing seals.
Case Study: Executive Home Office in Bangalore
Problem:
Roadside noise disrupted video conferences.
Result:
Achieved ~15 dB noise reduction, improved privacy, and professional-grade call quality.
Solution:
Installed SoundBlanket® MLV 4 mm (STC 32) on two external walls.
Added Echsorbix® felt panels (NRC 0.90) in ColourMute Ash Grey.
Sealed doors with EPDM tape and added soundproof curtains.
FAQs
A: No. Panels only treat internal echo. For isolation, MLV (STC-rated) + door/window seals are essential.
A: 30% coverage: Video calls and basic office needs.
50%+ coverage: For high privacy or noisy surroundings.
A: MLV + panels last 10+ years but can be retrofitted or removed without damaging base walls.
Conclusion: Build a Distraction-Free Workspace
A quiet home office boosts productivity, professionalism, and peace of mind. By combining SoundBlanket® MLV (STC 29–36) with acoustic panels (NRC 0.90), door seals, and soundproof curtains, you can create a high-performance work environment designed for today’s remote work demands.
Contact MMT Acoustix today for expert consultation, ASTM-certified materials, and tailored soundproofing packages for home offices