Top 8 Green Glue Alternatives and What to Avoid
Green Glue is probably a household name when it comes to noise dampening compounds and its reliability is well known to all. The slight limitation is that a project can quickly become quite expensive, especially if it is not a particularly important project. The other issue is that Green Glue is not exactly readily available everywhere in the world, so this list of Green Glue alternatives can hopefully help to solve some of these issues.
Read on to learn about the best alternatives and what products you should avoid. If you wish to learn more about the product itself, check out my Green Glue review.
Thank you for being here. We are reader-supported. If you have a minute, do check out our recommendations for the BEST SOUNDPROOFING MATERIALS before you go.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Learn more on the disclosure page.
Contents: Skip to section
What is Green Glue?
Green Glue is a company that produces products meant for soundproofing.
Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound is a one-of-a-kind noise dampening material that’s perfect for new building or restoration projects. It’s the most widely used and cost-effective soundproofing material. The application is quick, easy, and effective.
Sound wave energy is converted to heat by the compound, which works as an anti-vibrational layer. It is utilized for limited layer damping, which means that it must be crushed between two or more layers of solid construction material to be effective. Green Glue helps to reduce noise transmission between rooms.
Plus, Green Glue Noiseproofing Compound is a cost-effective soundproofing solution that is non-hazardous and environmentally friendly.
You can reduce noise pollution in your house or business to increase the value of your property when done right.
Advantages and Features of Green Glue
There are no particular installation skills required for this soundproofing option.
But because the installer will be handling large sheets of drywall, some DIY experience is recommended, but that’s about as difficult as the task gets.
This is also a pretty low-cost method of achieving noise-free comfort. A few tubes or a single bucket should be more than enough to soundproof a medium-sized room. To more accurately find out how much Green Glue you will need, check out this FAQ section on the main site.
Here are more of its benefits summarized:
- Fast and easy application – No measuring or troweling is required for this application. There is no need to follow a certain application pattern.
- Hygienic – Clean up with soap and water (before drying)
- Adaptable – Can be used in new construction, renovations, and retrofits.
- Quality – Up to ten times better than competitors’ products
- Proven and trusted – Leading soundproofing technology manufacturer
- Multipurpose – Can be used in a variety of applications on walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Safe – Underwriters Laboratories independently examined the product for fire safety and environmental effect.
- Effective – Third-party laboratory testing has proven that it is effective.
- Sustainable – Can assist with obtaining LEED certification.
Applications of Green Glue
Soundproofing walls, floors, and ceilings may all be done with green glue. Green Glue can be utilized in new construction, renovations, and building upgrades.
Green Glue avoids the need to remove existing wall and floor materials because it is designed to be sandwiched between two sheets of building materials such as drywall.
When it comes to the Noiseproofing Compound, you can choose to purchase it either in a 29-ounce tube form or a 5-gallon bucket.
Top Green Glue Alternatives
1. Quiet Rock Noise Reducing Drywall
QuietRock EZ-Snap is an acoustic drywall panel by QuietRock. The anti-vibrational core of the 5/8″ sheet prevents sound waves from penetrating. It comes in four-foot widths and eight, nine, or ten-foot lengths. It installs and cuts like standard gypsum board with no mess or curing period.
A 4’x8′ sheet can be used on walls and ceilings and weighs 83.2 pounds. EZ-Snap can be attached to studs or joists, or it can be installed directly on existing drywall. It also has the same polish as ordinary gypsum panels, requiring no extra tools.
In similar construction procedures, EZ-Snap outperforms ordinary drywall and gives higher STC values. Depending on the wall construction, STC results range from 49 to 60. When used in conjunction with acoustic sealants, the results can be considerably better.
An STC of 52 can be attained with a typical wood stud wall with QuietRock 510 on both sides.
2. Auralex Acoustics STOPGAP Sealant
Auralex StopGap Sealant is a water-based, viscoelastic sealant that is perfect for decreasing sound transmissions around gaps in your wall structures while also providing a decent STC rating.
While the Stopgap compound differs from Green Glue in terms of formula, both are water-based and help to reduce sound transmission. The sealant is adequate for small sound reductions, but it does not provide all of Green Glue’s advantages.
Using the StopGap sealant, you can achieve an STC of up to 53 by applying two beads of sealant to all perimeter borders, from top to bottom.
Because it’s a sealant, you can paint over it once it’s dry, just like you can with Green Glue. It comes in a large 28oz caulking tube, so you’ll need a big caulking gun to use it.
- Stopgap Acoustical Sealant is a highly elastic, water-based sealant used for reducing sound transmission at the perimeter of wall systems or around electrical box cutouts to achieve specified STC/MTC values.
- Stopgap is paintable and nonstinging
- meets ASTM C-834 standards for flame
- Stopgap comes in a large, 29 oz caulking tube and therefore requires a larger than normal-sized caulking gun, which can be purchased at any local hardware store
- Wall, Ceiling & Floor Applications
- For best sound isolation, Auralex recommends incorporating the following products into your room construction in the options shown above
3. Titebond Smoke & Sound Sealant
Titebond 2892 Sound Sealant is a low-cost alternative to Green Glue that is LEED v4 certified, VOC compliant, and mold and mildew resistant. Its major function is to minimize sound and airflow by sealing gaps and fissures.
The sealant is intended for use in gypsum drywall, plaster veneers, wood, concrete, brick, and stone wall structures on perimeter seams and cuts. Titebond has a 25% flexibility, making it an excellent choice for soundproofing your wall gaps.
Titebond, unlike other acoustic sealants, has a remarkable temperature range of 40 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit and is freeze and thaw stable. Even so, Titebond should only be used for interior construction.
- Price For: Each Flash Point: Greater Than 200 Degrees F Substrates: Wood, Glass, Metal, Masonry, Aluminum, Brick, Hardboard and Other Common Building Material Characteristics: Environmentally Safe, Contains No Solvents, Cartridge and Carton Contain Post-Consumer Recycled Material, Cartridge and Carton Contain Post-Consumer Recycled Material, Medium-Viscosity Caulk State Meets: ASTM C834, ASTM E90, Meets NFPA Class A Fire Rating
- Green Environmental Attribute: VOC Levels Meet SCAQMD Requirements Item: Acoustical Smoke and Sound Sealant Size: 28 oz. Color: White Application Time: 10 to 15 min. VOC: 40.82g/L Base: Acrylic Polymer (Non-Reactive) Container Type: Cartridge Performance Temp. Range: -20 Degrees to 150 Degrees F Application Temp. Range: 40 Degrees to 120 Degrees F Full Cure: 24 hr.
- Country of Origin (subject to change): United States
4. Acoustic Putty Pads
You can’t go wrong with these acoustic putty pads if you need to properly and professionally seal up an electrical box.
While a non-flammable water-based sealer can be used, a putty pad will provide a far superior seal.
These pads can survive fire for up to two hours, and you can always double them up for added protection.
It has a sound transmission class rating of 49, which is rather good. It’s a good soundproofing material, so it may also be used to block up other places where noise might get in.
- Case of 10 - 7" x 7" x 1/8" thick pads.
- 49 STC Rating - 2 hour fire rating
- Non-Curing, Long Shelf Life
- No Asbestos fillers
- Applied by hand
5. TMS Acoustic Caulk
TMS Acoustic Caulk is a latex-based sealer that effectively reduces airborne noise transmission across gaps.
It can also be used beneath flooring to assist attenuate noise that travels through the floor to the joists.
Latex is a popular soundproofing material known for its tensile and elongation properties.
In other words, because it is incredibly flexible, this caulk is excellent at reducing vibrations.
It’s around 15% cheaper per tube than Green Glue, so if you use a lot of it, the savings will rapidly add up.
- SOUND, DRAFT AND SMOKE SEALANT - Provides an effective barrier to the transmission of airborne noise, dust, air and smoke
- MADE IN THE USA, HIGH QUALITY LATEX BASED SEALANT - Adheres to drywall, wood, concrete, metal studs plaster and more.
- SPECIALLY FORMULATED FOR ACOUSTICAL/SOUND LEAK PROTECTION - Designed to maintain required STC ratings as per IBC 1207.2
- MEETS THE FOLLOWING: ASTM-E90, E84 (Class A, 20 Flame Spread), C834, C919,
6. Imperial Sealant Silicone
When it comes to new building and restoration projects, this silicone sealer is an excellent alternative to Green Glue. It’s a less expensive option, but it’s just as effective at absorbing vibrations created by sound waves moving through walls, ceilings, and floors.
Applying this product to a piece of construction material is simple and should only take a few minutes. If you have someone to help you, you can easily soundproof any room in your house in one day (or less) with this sealant. The recommended cure time is seven days, and the compound will achieve its peak efficacy four weeks following application.
- Color: Clear
- Size: 10.3 Oz
- Flexible waterproof silicone sealant
- Use on metal, glass, wood and plastic
- Resists temperatures up to 232 DegreeC (450 Degree F)
7. Gorilla Heavy Duty Mounting Tape
Although Gorilla heavy-duty mounting tape isn’t a sealer, it can be used as a substitute for green glue.
It does a good job of dampening vibrations because to its density.
It’s also quite powerful, so you can use it to ‘glue’ things together and keep them in place.
It’s simple to apply to partition wall studs and is a very effective technique of reducing sound transmission through walls and studs; you can also use it to dampen sound transmission through floor joists and floors.
Obviously, you can’t use it to fill up holes around door frames because it won’t look good, but depending on the project you’re doing, Gorilla tape could be a terrific substitute.
You can potentially save up to 50% when using this product.
- Double-Sided Tape: Coated with adhesive on both sides for easy hanging
- 60 lb. Strong Hold: Sticks to smooth and rough surfaces
- Instant Hold, Permanent Bond: Fast & Easy
- Weatherproof: For indoor and outdoor use
- Bonds - Plastic, Metal, Wood, Glass, Brick, Ceramic, Stone & Drywall More
8. Mass Loaded Vinyl
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is a heavy, flexible vinyl soundproofing material available in black, gray, or transparent. Calcium carbonate or barium sulfate are mixed into it to increase its mass.
Depending on weight and thickness, it has an independent STC rating of 20, 26, and 33, and is particularly effective at blocking frequencies between the mid and high range.
This material has little or no smell and can be used for both renovations and new construction in residential, medical, and commercial facilities.
Combined with wall, floor, and ceiling construction methods, vinyl’s STC properties ensure soundproofing. To improve the soundproofing of walls and ceilings, it can be hung between studs and drywall or sandwiched between two layers of gypsum.
Read more about the Best Mass Loaded Vinyls.
Products That Do Not Work
There are a few recommendations that I have come across and feel that they do not really work well as Green Glue replacements. These are just my opinions, but I suspect that the products listed above will be more than sufficient for you to even need to consider the following.
1. Polyurethane
Polyurethane is a plastic-like polymer that can be soft, rigid, sticky, rubbery, flexible, or protective in the same way as varnish. Soft polyurethane foam products are not used in wall building. They can be strategically placed inside a room to absorb sound energy, but they will not prevent sound from penetrating in or out.
Spray foams that are used to fill wall voids harden, increasing sound transmission through the wall. Varnishes, such as polyurethane, cure to a strong, long-lasting finish on wood. Green Glue can’t be replaced with any of the polyurethane formulas.
Although polyurethane adhesives have various uses, they are not suitable for noise reduction.
After curing, urethane-based adhesives become overly rigid. While it is a powerful adhesive for both indoor and exterior work, it is especially useful for subfloor construction.
In conclusion, polyurethane is a superb building material for construction projects, but it does not provide soundproofing!
2. Red Glue
Red Glue is a paste-like poly dilute compound. Before soldering, it’s used to bond components to PCB boards. When heated, the paste reacts and hardens.
This process actually makes the glue become more sound transmitting than not!
3. Dynaflex 230
Similar to Red Glue above, Dynaflex 230 will harden as it cures. As you can imagine, this particular substance will now become a sound transmission agent rather than soundproofing!
In conclusion: Green Glue Alternatives
Green Glue products are some of the best soundproofing materials you can use, be it for your home or your office. Although it does cost a pretty penny, the long-term benefits far outweigh the cost.
However, if your project is not too important or critical, or you cannot find Green Glue where you live, the alternatives above are more than capable to be replacements.
Be sure to click through to find the best prices!
Continue Reading:
