FAQ

How do I cut the material?
Easily done with a utility knife or hook blade
What size trowel notch to I use to spread the adhesive?
A 3/32? v notched trowel
Is it possible for me to tack the corners of the dB-4looring material so it doesn’t curl?
You can staple the material down to hold it flat when working in smaller areas, such as a bathroom
If I don’t want the fabric pattern to show on the dB-2 wall material, what do I need to do?
Two coats of paint usually covers the pattern, but if you want to totally remove the possibility, then using standard drywall mud trowel a thin layer onto the fabric. Lightly sand, prime and then finish with paint or wallpaper.
If I have a seam on the dB-3 wall material do I need to do anything about it or just install it as is?
Yes, any seam not on a stud should be taped, duct tape works best
What side of the dB-4looring do I install ceramic tile?
All hard surface flooring should have the white side (fabric side) facing up
Is there a minimum temperature needed before I can install the product?
Most floor coverings need to be installed at an ambient temperature of 60 F
Is there a required substrate needed before the dB-4looring material can be installed?
You should follow the flooring materials installation instructions for floor prep before using dB-4looring. This will ensure you have a quality installation.
How long has United Plastics been making sound control materials?
The company has made sound control materials for the Auto industry for over 50 years. We decided to transfer our experience to the construction industry 4 years ago.
Does painting the dB-2 reduce its ability to control sound?
dB-2 is primarily a sound blocker when placed on a wall surface. It helps to keep the sound from transferring through the wall to another room.
I have installed the dB-2 and the seam is still very visible; what can I do?
You can apply a small amount of spackling compound with your fingertip to the seam if there are indentations or cracks. This will fill minor imperfections. Apply a coat of primer or latex flat paint. When the paint has dried very lightly sand the seam area with a fine grit foam sanding block. Apply another coat of paint and your seam should be much less visible.
Can I apply dB-2 and dB-3 directly to concrete walls?
You can, it will act as a sound blocker. A better solution is to use dB-4looring with the white side facing the concrete and cover the dB-4looring with drywall. This will isolate and dampen the sound vibrations to reduce the sound pressure levels further.
Can dB-3 be installed on the outside surface of an exterior wall?
dB-3 is an impermeable vapor barrier and should only be installed on the inside side of an exterior wall unless your building code suggest the vapor barrier be installed on the outside as in some warm climate areas. To be sure check with your local building department.
What adhesive do I use to attach dB-2 to the wall surface?
We recommend Armstrong S-235. It is available at most home centers or for floor covering stores. Follow the installation instructions on the website to assure good results.
What does IIC mean?
IIC stands for Impact Isolation Class. I indicated the ability of the floor assembly to mitigate the impact sounds as when someone with hard sole shoes is walking on a floor. The higher the IIC number the better. Assemblies having IIC ratings greater than 50 usually are adequate to muffle normal walking noise.
What is Pro dB-3 and Pro dB-4looring?
Pro materials are designed for commercial applications. These materials are generally thicker, heavier and are available in additional sizes for the construction industry. They are available only from our website or from our commercial distributors.
Can I install a sound material to my ceiling to reduce the noise from the floor above?
You can install DB-4looring to you ceiling. To do this you will need to cover the dB-4looring material with layer of drywall. The dB-4looring should first be attached to the gypsum, white side facing up and then attached to the existing ceiling. This is not a typical do it yourself project; and probably should be done by a residential contractor. The material should be attached so as to overhang the gypsum an inch or so to create a shiplap joint when installed. This will improve the sound performance of the final installation.