Whether you spend small amounts of time in the car or consider it a second home, a noisy drive is frustrating. Many sources contribute to outdoor sound intruding on your vehicle’s interior. Luckily, sound dampening can help.
Sound dampening is an acoustic treatment that decreases the amount of sound transmitted into your vehicle by absorbing, dampening or creating a barrier. Different sound dampening materials perform various functions. Understanding how sound dampening works, its benefits and the installation process will help you decide which sound dampening material is right for your vehicle.
Understanding Sound Dampening and its Benefits
You or a professional can install sound-dampening materials. These materials can decrease sound transmission by 60%, reducing unwanted noise.
Sound transmission typically occurs when the parts of a car made from sheet metal — such as the doors, fenders, roof and hoods — are hit by road bumps or the engine’s vibrations. These bumps or vibrations transmit sound into the vehicle’s cabin, leading to a low-quality audio experience.
There are multiple benefits to installing sound dampening materials in your vehicle.
- Improved sound system quality
- Deeper bass sounds for listening to music
- Less acoustic vibration
- Better insulation in your vehicle’s interior
- More relaxing riding and driving experiences
- Increased resale value
- Improved concentration
- Better communication for calls or conversations
- Reduced noise pollution
Locating the Source of Sound Transmission
The first step to soundproofing your vehicle is identifying where the sound comes from. A spectrum analyzer tool or app can help you locate the cause of the noise.
There are two main types of car noise you’ll encounter: internal noise and external noise. Internal noise typically refers to noise from the engine, which can take over a cabin and typically increases at high speeds or acceleration.
There are a wide variety of potential external noise sources:
- Wind: Wind noise also increases with speed since the noise comes from air turbulence around the outside of your vehicle.
- The road: Road noise can result from tire contact, especially on bumpy or gravel-covered terrain.
- Traffic: More traffic in your immediate vicinity can lead to higher noise pollution. If you live in a city, you will likely deal with more noise pollution due to traffic.
- Construction and maintenance: Loud sounds or drilling vibrations from nearby construction sites or maintenance teams can leak into your car’s interior.
- Mechanical components: Loose trim or jostling mechanical parts can rattle or squeak as you drive.
Choosing the Right Sound Dampening Material
There are three functions sound dampening materials can perform.
- Absorption: Absorptive materials catch sound waves, converting them into heat.
- Dampening: Damping materials dampen vibrational energy.
- Barrier-creating: Barrier-creating materials reflect sound waves, preventing their intrusion.
Different sound dampening materials offer various benefits.
1. Mass-loaded vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl is a common barrier-creating material. It is considered a greener option for soundproofing since it is made from salts, sands and metal particles. Its metal particles make it similar to lead sheeting without the danger of being a lead-based material.
2. Butyl rubber mats
Damping mats are common and are usually made of butyl rubber.They are applied directly to a vehicle’s sheet metal to absorb noise. This noise doesn’t disappear. Instead, the mat converts it into a small amount of heat, eventually dissipating.
3. Foam sheets
Foam sheets are absorptive. Open-cell foams can absorb airborne noise, while closed-cell foams can also provide thermal insulation. Foam and similar insulating materials are often used under carpets or in door panels to absorb and block sound. They also have the additional benefit of insulating vehicles from extreme temperatures.
4. Aluminum
Aluminum is not designed for sound absorption, so it’s not typically the best choice for soundproofing your vehicle. However, you can use it with a dampening material like a butyl rubber mat. Aluminum can reflect higher frequencies back into the mat, improving the overall effectiveness of sound dampening by decreasing high-pitched noise. Aluminum can also reflect heat to keep a car’s interior cooler.
Preparing Your Space for Installation
Preparing your space is the first step for proper sound dampening installation.
- Choose a well-ventilated area.
- Keep the area warm for the best adhesion.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands and a mask if you’re sensitive to dust or chemicals.
- Disconnect your car battery. You will likely find your vehicle’s battery in the engine bay, but it could also be under the passenger seat or in the trunk.
- Keep your tools and vehicle parts organized for quick post-installation reassembly.
Installing Sound Dampening Materials
Installing sound dampening materials yourself can be time-consuming, but it eliminates the labor costs of hiring a professional. Hiring an audio professional to soundproof your car saves time and can ensure an effective installation.
If you’re doing a DIY installation, decide which parts of your vehicle you want to dampen. You can dampen doors, floors, the firewall, wheel wells, hoods, the trunk, or the roof. Efficient sound dampening depends on how well the job is done, but the more areas you dampen, the more likely you are to reduce the amount of noise entering your vehicle.
Installing sound dampening materials at home can take a few hours, so set aside time and follow these steps to make the installation as smooth as possible.
- Remove panels and upholstery with a prying tool to reach the sheet metal.
- Clean the surface on which you plan to install the material using a degreaser.
- Cut your material to your desired size.
- Remove the material’s backing to expose the adhesive.
- Place the sheet as flat as possible on the surface, avoiding air pockets.
- Use your hand to flatten the sheet out.
- Use a hand roller for any remaining air pockets.
- Consider applying sealant around the edges of the material to avoid exposure to moisture.
- Reinstall your car’s interior components.
- Test the success of your installation using a decibel meter or road test. If you still hear a lot of noise, add more dampening material.
Maintaining Sound Dampening Materials
To help your sound dampening installation last as long as possible, perform regular checks after the vehicle has been exposed to extreme conditions.
Cleaning your vehicle and avoiding moisture, which can lead to corrosion or mold underneath the sound dampening materials, is key to maintaining your installation.
Soundproof Your Vehicle
Sound dampening materials can make your trips more pleasant by reducing external noise transmission. Whether you love your tried-and-tested sound system or just invested in a new one, sound dampening materials can ensure you receive the best audio experience. From reducing noise pollution to allowing you to carry on conversations, sound dampening installation has many benefits.
