Mer-Krete Offers Complete System for
Environmentally-Friendly Sound Reduction

These days, the blaring of home theater systems, kids playing at home or the dropped kitchen pan often affects more than the parents or the clumsy cook. It also is an issue for neighbors, now that the high cost of land and the accelerated demand for housing have created a trend of high-density construction. Multi-level residential units, apartments, condominiums and high-rise buildings provide close quarters for homeowners, renters, retail and office tenants alike…all of whom must deal with everyday noises that invade their increasingly vulnerable spaces. Consequently, sound-reducing construction techniques are particularly essential and a growing concern.

In response, Mer-Krete Systems, a recognized leader in supplying waterproofing, crack isolation and underlayment products for tile installations, has introduced the Sound-Shield 7000 and Thin Set 801 System. It’s designed to be an effective sound reduction barrier for use with ceramic tile and stone installations, as well as other installed flooring surfaces. The Sound-Shield 7000 matt is a fiber-reinforced rubber underlay developed to significantly reduce sound transmission through sub-floors. This includes mid to high-frequency impact sounds such as normal speech, people walking in hard-soled shoes or the dropping of toys, pots and other items. The system performs equally well in any type of room, from living rooms and playrooms, to kitchens and baths.

Thin, load-bearing Sound-Shield 7000 is rated extra heavy duty on Robinson Floor Test so you can count on it’s durability and its Impact Insulation Class (IIC) sound-rated up to 63, well above the standard rate of about 33, and it meets ASTM E989-E492 requirements. The product is also an ANSI A118.12 rated anti-fracture membrane offering crack isolation protection up to ¼”. Additionally, it is designated as a “green building” product that earns LEED credits for environmentally-friendly performance.

Available in easy-to-install 4’ x 3½’ panel sheets that eliminate curled edges, Sound- Shield 7000 has a thickness of only 1/8”, making it thinner, lighter and stronger than conventional underlays. It features a polyester fabric layer on each side to enhance its adhesive strength. Installation is easy, making it not only attractive on construction sites but also for do-it-yourselfers. Simply lay it down on top of a quality latex-modified thin-set mortar, cover it with Mer-Krete’s Thin-set 801, then install the tile or stone flooring. Self curing 801 is a polymer modified fast setting mortar developed to meet the strict standards of ANSI A-118.4 requirements. It exhibits exceptional bond strength when placed between two dense impervious surfaces such as granite or porcelain tile without any shrinkage.

“Sound Shield 7000 offers proven sound reduction qualities with very high IIC and STC ratings,” said Tim McDonald, president of Mer-Krete Systems. “In combination with self-curing Thin Set 801, it creates a very effective sound-reducing barrier. Because it is made of recycled rubber, Sound-Shield 7000 is highly resilient and offers performance characteristics that make it ideal for ‘green building’ projects, as well as for standard construction.”

The sound-dampening Sound Shield 7000 and Thin Set 801 System is just one of many innovative underlay solutions that Mer-Krete Systems offers for industrial, commercial and residential applications, both inside and out. The company has been involved with successful applications in many demanding projects, including some of Las Vegas’ most famous hotels and casinos, as well as other installations throughout the United States and the world.

For more information, contact Mer-Krete Systems, of Torrance, California, at (800) 851-6303 or visit their website at www.merkrete.com