Are you tired of the constant road noise and vibrations that invade your car’s cabin? If so, it’s time to explore the world of automotive sound deadening materials.
These incredible products are designed to reduce noise, vibrations, and harshness (NVH) levels inside your vehicle, creating a more peaceful and comfortable driving experience. Unlike the traditional soundproofing materials such as mass loaded vinyl, moving blankets, acoustic foam, automotive sound-deadening materials are specifically designed for soundproofing your automobile.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the top ten sound deadening materials available on the market, helping you make an informed decision for your automotive soundproofing needs.
1. Dynamat
Dynamat is a brand of sound deadening material that is commonly used in automotive applications. It is designed to reduce noise and vibration by adding mass and dampening properties to various surfaces.
Dynamat typically consists of a thin, flexible sheet made from a viscoelastic polymer layer bonded to an aluminum foil or other backing material. The viscoelastic layer is responsible for absorbing and dissipating vibrations and sound waves, while the aluminum foil provides additional structural support and heat resistance.
When installed, Dynamat is commonly applied to the interior surfaces of vehicles, such as the doors, floorboards, trunk, and roof. It helps reduce road noise, engine noise, and rattles, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable driving experience. Additionally, Dynamat can improve the audio quality of a car stereo system by reducing unwanted vibrations and improving the overall acoustic environment inside the vehicle.
To install Dynamat, the surface should be clean and free of dust and debris. The sheets are typically cut to fit the desired area and then applied with pressure to ensure proper adhesion. It is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installation to achieve the best results.
In addition to automotive applications, Dynamat can also be used in other settings where noise and vibration reduction are desired, such as in homes, recording studios, or industrial environments. Its effectiveness in these applications depends on the specific requirements and the materials being treated.
You get up to 97% heat insulation.
Key Features:
- 97% thermal insulation
- Vibrations and Noise Insulation
- Flexible and Easy to Cut
Cons:
- Costlier than other sound-deadening materials.
- A bit technical to install
2. SoundSkins
SoundSkins is a brand that specializes in automotive sound deadening and insulation products. They offer a range of solutions designed to reduce noise, vibrations, and heat in vehicles, providing a more comfortable and enjoyable driving experience.
The primary product offered by SoundSkins is their sound deadening material, which is typically made of high-quality butyl rubber. This material is specifically engineered to absorb and dampen vibrations and sounds that can penetrate the vehicle’s interior, such as road noise, engine rumble, and wind turbulence.
SoundSkins’ sound deadening material is usually applied to the vehicle’s interior panels, including the doors, floor, roof, and trunk. By adhering the material to these surfaces, it helps to block out unwanted noise and improve the overall acoustic performance of the vehicle’s cabin.
In addition to sound deadening, SoundSkins also offers insulation products that help regulate temperature inside the vehicle. These insulation products can reduce heat transfer, keeping the interior cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. By minimizing temperature fluctuations, they contribute to a more comfortable driving environment.
Overall, SoundSkins products are popular among car enthusiasts who seek to enhance their vehicle’s sound quality and reduce unwanted noise. They are designed to be easy to install and can be used in various types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, and SUVs.
3. Fatmat Sound Control
Fatmat Sound Control is a sound deadening material used in automotive applications to reduce noise and vibrations. It is designed to be applied to the interior surfaces of vehicles, such as the floor, doors, and trunk, to minimize road and engine noise, as well as improve overall sound quality.
Fatmat Sound Control typically consists of a self-adhesive, butyl-based material with an aluminum foil backing. The butyl layer provides excellent sound-damping properties, while the aluminum foil helps to reflect heat and further enhance the insulation.
By applying Fatmat Sound Control to the vehicle’s interior panels, it helps to reduce vibrations and dampen sound waves, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable driving experience. It can also improve the performance of car audio systems by minimizing unwanted noise and improving the overall acoustics within the vehicle.
There are five major products by Fatmat, and they include Mega Mat, FatMat, Rattletrap, Floor Liner and Hood Liners.
- As the name suggests, Rattletrap will deal with those nasty rattles in your car.
- It features a super seal formula that will permanently stick to anything.
- If you need to sound deaden your entire car, I recommend the Mega Mat, available in three sizes- 100sqft, 50sqft, and 25sqft.
- It is thicker and contains less fillers than most car acoustic dampening materials.
- Hood liners and Floor liners help in soundproofing and heat-insulating the hood and car floor, respectively.
4. Second Skin auto & Home Insulation
For automobiles, Second Skin offers various insulation materials and kits that can be applied to different areas of the vehicle, such as the floor, doors, roof, and firewall. These products help reduce heat transfer, minimize noise and vibrations, and improve the overall driving experience.
By installing their insulation products, you can enhance the comfort inside your vehicle and reduce the need for excessive heating or cooling, thereby improving fuel efficiency.
In terms of home insulation, Second Skin provides insulation solutions for walls, attics, basements, and other areas where heat loss or gain can occur.
Their products are designed to effectively trap air and create a barrier against temperature fluctuations, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor environment while reducing energy consumption. Proper insulation can also minimize noise transmission, improve indoor air quality, and contribute to overall energy savings.
- You can also use it to seal the gaps on your garage door.
- Second Skin Spray on Deadener is perfect for reducing sheet metal resonance as well as impact noise.
- It can be used to soundproof those hard-to-reach places in your car.
- The best part is that it’s easy to clean, tested for performance, and environmentally safe.
- It also offers excellent heat insulation (400F/204 degrees Celsius), and spraying it under the hood can significantly cut down engine noise and heat.
5. Hushmat Sound and Thermal Insulation
Hushmat is a brand that produces sound and thermal insulation materials for trucks, car, boat and RVs.
This brand also manufactures soundproofing materials for Marine vehicles, heavy trucks and home applications.
Hushmat deadeners are butyl based and offer fantastic heat insulation as well.
Examples of automotive sound deadening materials produced by this brand include:
- Silence Megabond Foam that highly absorbs all the high frequency that enters your car cabin through the air.
- Wave Breaker Kit helps in treating back wave in all speakers in your car, office, truck, boat and RV.
- Door Hoodliner Kit helps absorb and also eliminate high-frequency noise in your car.
- Speaker Kit is perfect for reducing vibrations and noise that distorts the high-quality sound from your stereo.
If you have a subwoofer installed in your home theater and can’t seem to get high-quality audios from movies despite having the quietest projector, then I would highly recommend Hushmat Speaker Kit.
6. Kilmat Car Sound Deadening Mat
Kilmat Car Sound Deadening Mat is a product designed to reduce noise and vibrations in a vehicle. It is a type of automotive sound deadening material that helps to improve the acoustic performance of a car’s interior by minimizing the transfer of noise from the road, engine, and other sources.
Here are some key features and benefits of Kilmat Car Sound Deadening Mat:
- Noise Reduction: The primary purpose of the Kilmat Car Sound Deadening Mat is to reduce the amount of noise that enters the vehicle’s cabin. It effectively dampens vibrations and absorbs sound waves, resulting in a quieter and more comfortable driving experience.
- Vibration Damping: The mat is made of a dense, butyl-based material that has excellent vibration damping properties. It helps to reduce the vibrations caused by the engine, road, and other vehicle components, thereby minimizing rattles and improving overall sound quality.
- Thermal Insulation: In addition to its sound deadening properties, Kilmat Car Sound Deadening Mat also provides some thermal insulation benefits. It helps to reduce heat transfer from the engine and exhaust system, keeping the cabin cooler in hot weather and potentially improving the efficiency of the vehicle’s air conditioning system.
7. Noico Sound Deadening Mat
Noico is a type of automotive sound deadening mat made from butyl rubber and foil. The material is designed to be applied to the interior panels of vehicles, such as doors, floors, and trunk areas, to dampen the vibrations caused by road noise, engine noise, and other sources.
Noico sound deadening material typically comes in sheets or rolls that can be easily cut and shaped to fit various areas of a vehicle. The butyl rubber layer provides excellent soundproofing properties, while the foil layer acts as a heat barrier, reflecting and dissipating heat to enhance the thermal insulation of the vehicle.
To install Noico sound deadening material, you typically need to clean the application area thoroughly, remove any dust or debris, and ensure it is dry. Then, you peel off the backing paper from the material and press it firmly onto the desired surface, using a roller or other tool to ensure good adhesion and to remove any air bubbles.
What to Look in When Purchasing Automotive Sound Deadening Material
When looking for automotive sound deadening materials, there are several key factors to consider. Here are some important aspects to look for:
Soundproofing effectiveness:
The primary purpose of a sound deadening material is to reduce noise and vibrations in your vehicle. Look for materials with high soundproofing effectiveness, typically measured in terms of Sound Transmission Class (STC) or Sound Transmission Loss (STL). The higher the STC or STL rating, the better the material is at blocking sound.
Material type
There are various types of sound deadening materials available, including butyl rubber sheets, mass-loaded vinyl (MLV), closed-cell foam, and specialized acoustic foams. Each material has its own characteristics and performance attributes. Butyl rubber sheets are often used for vibration damping, MLV offers good mass and density for blocking sound, closed-cell foam provides thermal and sound insulation, and acoustic foams are designed for absorbing sound waves.
Thickness and weight
Thicker and denser materials tend to offer better sound deadening properties. Consider the available space in your vehicle and choose a material that provides the desired level of noise reduction without adding excessive weight. Heavy materials can affect fuel efficiency and vehicle performance.
Installation ease
Look for sound deadening materials that are easy to install. Some materials come with adhesive backing or are self-adhesive, simplifying the installation process. Additionally, consider whether the material can be easily cut or molded to fit the specific contours and shapes of your vehicle.
Heat insulation
Some sound deadening materials also provide thermal insulation, which can be beneficial for reducing heat transfer into the vehicle cabin. If heat insulation is important to you, choose materials that offer this additional feature.
Other Factors
- Durability: Ensure that the material you choose is durable and long-lasting, as it will be exposed to the elements, temperature changes, and potential physical impacts in a vehicle environment.
- Cost: Consider your budget when selecting a sound deadening material. Different materials come at various price points, so weigh the cost against the desired performance and features.
- User reviews and recommendations: Research and read reviews from other automotive enthusiasts or professionals who have used the specific sound deadening material you are considering. Their experiences and insights can help you make an informed decision.
Final thoughts
Car soundproofing and heat insulation is an important task that shouldn’t be overlooked.
It could mean the difference between a noisy car ride and a quiet one.
Above are my most recommended materials from different brands you can use to make your car quieter.
You can also significantly cut down the car noise problem by opting for a quiet performance muffler.
References:
- https://www.fatmat.com/
- https://www.caraudiolovers.com/automotive-sound-deadening-material/
- https://www.thedrive.com/reviews/30624/best-automotive-sound-deadening-insulation
- https://soundproofliving.com/automotive-sound-deadening-materials/
- https://kilmat.com/
- https://hushmat.com/
Hi, my name is Todd R. Bressler and I am the founder of this soundproofing blog. I’m a DIY enthusiast from Cincinnati, the city that just beat New York for the City That Never Sleeps Award in 2020. (Original) I have been in the DIY soundproofing industry for close to 5 years, running a YouTube channel and a Podcast show every Saturday. I started Crafty Soundproofing to help you learn the basics of “self defending yourself against noise”
Have an idea worth sharing? Please contact me and I’ll be happy to respond ASAP.