Acoustical Caulk

One of the most common ways for sound to travel into and around our homes is through gaps and cracks between walls, floors, and ceilings. Acoustical caulk is a type of caulk used to seal gaps and cracks for soundproofing and air-tightness. Acoustical caulk does not shrink or crack with age, is designed to flexible, and lasts longer than regular caulk. Acoustical caulk is usually latex-based and is non-flammable. For soundproofing, it can be used on interior walls to reduce sound transmission between rooms. It can applied in any gaps in the wall, such as around the edges of drywall in areas that will be covered with trim. For air sealing purposes, an acoustical sealant is most commonly used to adhere to seams in the polyethylene vapor barrier installed around the building envelope.

Look for low-VOC or no-VOC products. Because acoustical caulk never really 'hardens,' it can be very messy to apply and difficult to clean up. Regular and acoustical caulk are designed for different materials. When purchasing, ensure the acoustical caulk is suitable for the intended material. Acoustical caulk is not ideal for use around water. If you are planning to apply caulk to areas that will come in contact with water, you should use silicone caulk.

Where polyethelyne vapor barrier is used as a vapor barrier, acoustical caulk is an excellent way to reduce air and water vapor from flowing through the seams and into the building envelope. This can save energy for heating and cooling and prevent moisture build-up, mold, and rot in exterior walls and roofs.