---
title: "TechnicalBulletin_Elevation DM2s"
url: https://stacklist.com/card/a716c36d-acef-4514-9106-82bce7b5145c
stack: https://stacklist.com/c/business/stack/d8d3daba-6824-4624-82aa-4167e4c268d3
summary: "Treadstone Elite/Elevation DM2 is a dual-purpose dimpled membrane engineered by Formulated Materials for sound transmission control and moisture management in construction. The identical product functions as a sound attenuation underlayment when installed dimple-side up and as an exterior drainage mat when installed fabric-side up, simplifying inventory while delivering exceptional acoustic and drainage performance."
tags: "membrane-technology, sound-attenuation, drainage-management, construction-materials, acoustic-performance, waterproofing, recycled-polyolefin"
key_entities: "Formulated Materials (organization), Treadstone Elite (technology), Elevation DM2 (technology), Treadstone S60 (technology), Impact Insulation Class (concept), Sound Transmission Class (concept), hydrostatic-pressure-relief (concept), efflorescence (concept)"
classification: "reference"
content_hash: "sha256:7f6e88679dc8343bea3ac8a51d49730d37299addb7ac9fea97c4ebe36c1bf0a4"
acp_version: "0.2"
token_counts_approximate: 2113
visibility: public
agent_accessible: true
status: "final"
---

# TechnicalBulletin_Elevation DM2s

formulatedmaterials.com 
Product Name: Treadstone Elite / Elevation DM2 
Product Family: T readstone ® , Elevation ® 
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
Formulated Materials has engineered a revolutionary dual- 
purpose membrane that addresses two of the most critical 
challenges in modern construction: sound transmission 
control and moisture management. The Treadstone Elite 
sound attenuation membrane and Elevation DM2 
exterior drainage mat are identical products, differentiated 
only by their installation orientation. This innovative design 
delivers exceptional performance in both applications while 
simplifying inventory, reducing costs, and ensuring 
consistent quality across diverse construction needs. 
PRODUCT OVERVIEW 
Core Technology: 
High-performance dimpled membrane with integrated 
geotextile fabric. Material: 98% post-consumer recycled 
UV-stable polyolefin construction. Dual Application: Sound 
attenuation (dimple side up) / Drainage management (fabric 
side up) 
SOUND ATTENUATION APPLICATION: 
TREADSTONE ELITE 
Performance Standards 
Treadstone Elite addresses critical acoustic metrics, including 
IIC (Impact Insulation Class), HIIC (High-frequency Impact 
Insulation Class), and STC (Sound Transmission Class) 
ratings, which measure a material’s ability to reduce 
sound transmission between dwelling units. 
Technical Specifications - Sound Control 
• Installation: Dimple side up configuration 
• Primary Function: Impact sound isolation 
between floors 
• Application: Multi-family residential, commercial, 
and hospitality projects 
• Target Performance : IIC ratings typically range from 
40-45 for basic construction, with quality underlayments 
achieving IIC 50+ to meet building code requirements. 
HIIC measurements focus on 400Hz to 3,150Hz 
frequencies that resemble clicks or taps - the exact 
sounds most effectively reduced by quality flooring 
underlayments. 
Sound Transmission Science 
The dimpled structure creates an effective air gap that 
disrupts the transmission of impact sound. When impacts 
occur on the floor above, the dimples compress and recover, 
TECHNICAL BULLETIN 
Treadstone Elite / Elevation DM2: One Product, Two Critical Applications 
absorbing kinetic energy that would otherwise transmit 
as vibrations through the floor/ceiling assembly. 
The fabric layer provides additional damping while 
maintaining structural integrity under foot traffic loads. 
DRAINAGE APPLICATION: ELEVATION DM2 
Performance Standards 
Elevation DM2 addresses critical issues in elevated 
concrete applications, where traditional waterproof 
membranes can trap moisture within slabs. In warm 
climates, trapped water leaches unreacted salts, causing 
efflorescence, whereas in cold temperatures, freeze-thaw 
cycles lead to cracking and spalling. 
Technical Specifications - Drainage Control 
• Installation: Fabric side up configuration 
• Primary Function: Creates a drainage layer 
between the concrete and the waterproofing 
membrane, allowing water permeation and 
elimination 
• Application: Multi-family residential, commercial, 
and hospitality projects 
• System Integration : Used with Treadstone 
S60 waterproofing membrane and the Elevation 
componentry 
• Thickness: 3/8” profile - one of the thinnest 
drainage membranes on the market 
• Installation Advantage: Minimal thickness 
eliminates the need for door threshold reframing 
• Performance: Results in a concrete slab sitting 
atop pillars of a drainage mat, allowing water to 
permeate the slab, enter the drainage mat, and flow 
to the drip edge 
Drainage Science 
The dimpled core provides high-flow water collection 
and conveyance while the filter fabric retains soil particles 
and concrete fines, allowing filtered water to pass into the 
drainage core. This prevents clogging while maintaining 
long-term drainage performance. The system effectively 
relieves hydrostatic pressure, extending the lifespan of 
the waterproofing membrane. 
Engineering Excellence Through Innovation 
Dimples up for Sound Attenuation. Fleece up for Drainage. 

formulatedmaterials.com 
DUAL-PURPOSE ENGINEERING ADVANTAGES 
Material Optimization 
The identical core technology ensures consistent 
quality and performance across both applications. 
The dimpled structure’s versatility lies in its elegant 
simplicity - polypropylene or HDPE sheets molded 
into raised dimples with varying heights, thicknesses, 
and compressive strengths to match application 
requirements. 
Installation Efficiency 
• Sound Control: Dimples face upward to create 
impact-absorbing air cushions 
• Drainage: Fabric faces upward to filter debris 
while dimples channel water flow 
• Universal Installation: Same fastening 
methods and installation techniques 
• Weather Independence: Installation can proceed 
immediately after form removal in any weather 
conditions 
Economic Benefits 
• Inventory Simplification: One product serves 
dual purposes 
• Reduced Training: Single installation 
methodology 
with orientation variation 
• Cost Efficiency: Eliminates the need for 
separate product lines 
• Quality Assurance: Factory-controlled 
manufacturing ensures consistent performance 
PERFORMANCE VALIDATION 
Sound Attenuation Testing 
Laboratory testing follows ASTM E492 protocols, 
using standardized tapping machines with steel-faced 
hammers that generate impacts between 125 Hz and 
4,000 Hz. Results compare transmission through test 
assemblies to reference constructions, determining 
IIC ratings that directly correlate to real-world noise 
reduction performance. 
Drainage Performance Testing 
High-flow capacity testing validates water collection 
and conveyance rates under various loading 
conditions. The DM2 mat has been tested to pass 
greater than 20 gallons per hour per square inch, 
demonstrating exceptional drainage performance that 
far exceeds typical project requirements. Compressive 
strength testing ensures the integrity of dimples under 
backfill and structural loads, while filtration testing 
confirms the effectiveness of geotextiles in preventing 
system clogging. 
SYSTEM INTEGRATION 
Sound Control Systems 
Treadstone Elite integrates seamlessly with flooring 
assemblies, providing critical impact sound isolation 
that helps achieve International Building Code 
requirements of STC 50 for multi-family construction - 
the threshold where noise complaints drastically reduce 
and occupant satisfaction increases. 
Drainage Systems 
Elevation DM2 provides a comprehensive moisture 
management solution when combined with Treadstone 
S60 membrane, enabling concrete slabs to “breathe” 
from both top and bottom, thereby preventing 
efflorescence and freeze-thaw damage. 
ENVIRONMENTAL & SUSTAINABILITY BENEFITS 
Material Composition 
• UV-stable polyolefin 98% post-consumer 
recycled construction ensures long-term 
durability 
• HDPE materials are environmentally safe and 
won’t leach harmful chemicals into the 
surrounding environments 
• Expected service life exceeds 50 years in 
both applications 
Performance Longevity 
Dimpled membranes bridge foundation shifts and 
cracks, maintaining protection integrity throughout 
a building’s lifecycle. The robust construction resists 
damage during installation and backfilling operations. 
CONCLUSION 
The Treadstone Elite / Elevation DM2 represents 
a paradigm shift in construction material efficiency. 
By engineering a single product that excels in 
both acoustic control and drainage management 
applications, Formulated Materials delivers unmatched 
versatility without compromising performance. The 
orientation-dependent functionality demonstrates 
sophisticated materials engineering that addresses 
real-world construction challenges while simplifying 
procurement, installation, and maintenance processes. 
This dual-purpose approach reflects Formulated 
Materials’ commitment to innovation, efficiency, 
and superior performance across a wide range of 
construction applications. Whether controlling sound 
transmission in multi-family housing or managing 
moisture in elevated concrete structures, this single 
product delivers the specialized performance 
characteristics required for each critical application. 
Treadstone Elite / Elevation DM2: One Product, Two Critical Applications 
For technical specifications, installation guidelines, and performance data, contact Formulated Materials technical support. 
One Brand. One Product. Two Solutions. Total Performance.
