Do you have a noise or heat issue?
Do you have a noise or heat issue?
Do you have a noise or heat issue?
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Car Insulation Guide to Automotive Insulation
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Car Insulation: First Steps
If you're on this page, you might be wondering: why are some cars louder than others? What sets a basic car apart from a luxury one? The answer is straightforward: luxury vehicles come equipped with superior soundproofing and insulation, while budget models often have minimal or none at all.
The truth is, all cars benefit from insulation. If you've landed here, chances are your car might be facing one of these issues:
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Is your vehicle too noisy, with rattles in the cabin and unwanted road noise?
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Is your audio system not delivering the sound quality you expected?
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Do you feel excessive heat under your feet in a sports car, or is the engine bay getting too hot?
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Is your camper van too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer?
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Are you planning to convert your camper van for more comfortable travel?
Whether you're dealing with noise or heat, we offer the right insulation solutions to eliminate these problems so you can get back to enjoying your ride.
Let’s explore the various types of noise, their sources, and how to effectively reduce them in your car, van, or even boat. Each noise type requires a specific insulation material, designed to tackle that particular issue.
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Popular Car Insulation Materials
Different Types of Noises in Your Car
The main cause of increased noise in vehicles is the vibration of various parts during movement. These vibrations come from the suspension, shock absorbers, plastic panel movement, and fan noise, each creating sound in different frequency ranges. The problem with excessive noise is that long drives in a noisy car can lead to driver fatigue, which can negatively impact road safety. Soundproofing your car is often the best solution to address this issue.
Structural Noise:
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Primary noise comes from the engine, exhaust system, transmission, tires, and other mechanical components.
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Secondary noise is produced by the vehicle’s metal body panels (floor, fenders, arches, doors, roof) and plastic interior parts (dashboard, linings, etc.), as well as smaller metal components like window mechanisms and lock rods.
Structural noise enters the cabin through the suspension, transmission, chassis, and exhaust systems. These vibrations are transmitted to the vehicle’s floor and body panels, which then radiate noise. The metal parts of the car are excellent conductors of sound, making external noise more pronounced. Installing soundproofing materials can significantly reduce noise, no matter its source.
Airborne Noise:
Airborne noise refers to sound waves that enter your vehicle from the outside air. This type of noise penetrates the cabin through windows and any gaps in the body, such as doorways or small openings. The level of airborne noise depends on both the design of the noise source and the soundproofing properties of the glass and body panels. Thicker glass and panels are more effective at blocking sound. Adding soundproofing can enhance your vehicle's ability to keep out external airborne noise.
In a car’s interior, airborne noise from primary sources typically enters through "open" areas such as technological holes, gaps in door seals, body panel seams, and car windows. The thickness of the glass and body panels plays a significant role in reducing noise—the thicker these elements, the more effectively they block sound.
High-quality design features, especially in the engine, exhaust system, and transmission, already help to lower noise levels significantly. However, structure-borne noise causes almost all body panels to vibrate. These vibrations are transmitted through the suspension, chassis, engine, and exhaust system. The exhaust system, in particular, channels a substantial portion of airborne and structure-borne noise through the car’s floor.
The acoustic properties of the car's interior also contribute to unwanted noise. The reflection of sound waves from interior surfaces plays a key role, while factors like the quality of the road surface and the tire tread pattern also affect overall noise levels inside the vehicle.
To combat unwanted noise, there are three primary soundproofing methods:
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Sound Deadening: Reduces noise by eliminating rattles, road noise, and vibrations (structural noise).
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Sound Blocking: Prevents the transmission of external noise, such as road, engine, and exhaust sounds (airborne noise).
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Sound Absorbing: Absorbs sound waves already present inside the cabin, reducing echoes and reflections (airborne noise).
How Does Noise Get Into a Car?
The Best Car Sound Deadening Materials For The Boot, Roof and Doors
Here’s a rephrased version of your text:
Soundproofing the doors and wheel arches yields significant benefits:
- Street noise will be reduced to some extent.
- Car acoustics will be enhanced, with deeper bass tones.
- Thermal insulation in the passenger compartment will improve, keeping the car warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
- Creak and unwanted sounds from the doors will be eliminated.
- The doors will close more softly and pleasantly.
Soundproofing the trunk and trunk lid provides the following advantages:
- Noise from rear tires and the road will be minimised.
- Acoustic sound quality will improve, particularly at lower frequencies.
- Squeaks from the trunk area will be eliminated.
- The cabin will maintain warmth in winter and coolness in summer.
Benefits of soundproofing the roof of your vehicle include:
- Elimination of rumbling noise from the roof while driving and reduced street noise.
- Enhanced sound quality from acoustic systems.
- Minimization of the "drum roll" effect during rain or hail.
- Improved thermal insulation inside the vehicle.
PeaceMat XR Butyl Deadening Mats
Car Insulation's signature 2mm thick constraint layer damper (CLD). High-temperature butyl rubber adhesive mats engineered for performance
Peacemat XR and Peacemat XS are designed to do the same job, but Peacemat XR has 40% more of the butyl rubber.
The primary differences are:
1. Performance: Peacemat XR deadens metal 30-50% better, depending on the application.
2. Weight: Peacemat XR weighs about half as much per square foot.
Automotive
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Doors (outer and inner door skins)
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Floor
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The firewall on the cabin or engine side
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Trunk floor, walls, and lid
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Roof
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Hood (entire lid)
Residential/Commercial
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Generator boxes
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Screen doors
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Dishwasher enclosures
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Sink tubs
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HVAC ducts
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Warehouse and hospital carts
What is Sound Deadening?
It is a mastic vibration-absorbing material that converts mechanical vibration energy into heat energy. In simple words, vibration dampers damp metal vibrations. This material is based on bitumen or butyl rubber. Some models can have an additional foil or paper layer imitating foil. Sound and vibration isolation begins with vibration dampers. They become the first layer of the "sandwich" of insulating materials.
Sound deadening is a way of making a car interior quiet, reduce rattles, road noise, and vibrations. This will increase the ride comfort by reducing noise, heat and improve the stereo sound quality. ... There are multiple types of sound-deadening materials, but they try to achieve two things: block noise and heat.
The Best Car Sound Deadening Materials For The Floor
Soundproofing only the doors, as well as the area of the wheel arches in your vehicle, isn't enough, you still will hear the sound of the engine during acceleration, as well as other sounds inside the cabin (creaks, noise from the suspension). Is it important to you?
If so, it will be necessary to consider soundproofing the floor, and the area of the bulkhead of the engine compartment. These body elements are the most important in terms of sound insulation.
If the reason you are here because you are tired of road or tire noise in your vehicle, you’re more likely require a noise barrier called MLV, to keep those unwanted noises outside of your car. Car Insulation UK uses the professional sound blocking material to create a barrier layer that acts as a wall between you and the noise, effectively turning your car into a soundproof booth. To get the best results, you need to first apply a sound deadening product (Peacemat XR) to reduce the amount of noise your car is creating, and then add the sound blocking layer (Peacemat XL for example) to create a barrier to stop the noise. Additional car floor insulation, trunk insulation, and beefing up your car doors will create a bubble of protection.
This is the best material for automotive sound blocking in the market.
In addition to the above advantages, insulating the floor will provide the following:
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Street and road noise will be significantly reduced;
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The noise from the engine will decrease;
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Thermal insulation will improve;
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Your speaker system will sound even better.
PeaceMat XX - 2in1 Mass Loaded Vinyl + Closed Cell Foam
Peacemat XXX is the ultimate noise blocker for car insulation. By bonding MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl) to a decoupling layer of closed-cell foam, it simplifies installation while offering our highest Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating for superior noise reduction.
Great for:
from 4mm to 12mm
Total Thickness
2mm
Composition
MLV + Foam
MLV Only
Weight per Square Meter
3-4kg
2.8kg
Colour
Black
Black
STC Rating
26
28
Road Noise
Destroyed!
Dominated!
Automotive
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Doors (between door skin and panel)
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Floor
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The firewall on the cabin side
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Trunk floor, walls, and over the wheel wells
Residential/Commercial (PeaceMat L only)
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Walls
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Floors
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Ceilings
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Recording studios
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Music rooms
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Home theaters
What is MLV?
Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) is a dense, flexible material designed for soundproofing. It's primarily made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mixed with heavy compounds like calcium carbonate or barium sulfate, which give it its weight. MLV is commonly used in construction, automotive, and marine industries to block or reduce sound transmission between rooms, walls, or vehicle cabins.
Key Features of MLV:
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High Density: The weight of MLV makes it effective at blocking sound, especially low-frequency noises like traffic, machinery, or bass.
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Flexibility: Despite its density, MLV is flexible, making it easy to install on walls, floors, ceilings, or even curved surfaces like pipes or vehicle panels.
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Non-Invasive: MLV is typically applied as a thin sheet, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice much space during installation.
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Multi-Use: It can be used in a variety of settings, from homes and studios to vehicles and boats.
How MLV Works:
MLV works by acting as a barrier to sound waves. Its density helps to block sound from passing through walls, ceilings, or floors. Unlike softer materials that absorb sound, MLV reflects and dissipates the energy of sound waves. Additionally, MLV has damping properties, which help it absorb vibrations and prevent them from traveling through structures.
The Best Sound Absorbing Materials for Your Car
Hydroweld - 25mm Sound Absorber
Car Insulation's best sound absorber. This professional multi-layered product used by campervan converters all over the world. This soft, water-resistant, and fire-retardant sound absorber and insulator suitable for walls, roofs, and other parts of your van.
Benefits:
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Excellent fire resistance.
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Water resistant.
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Super sound-absorbing, soundproofing & insulation properties.
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Lightweight and easy to install.
When it comes to improving the acoustic comfort of your car, choosing the right sound-absorbing materials can make a significant difference. These materials help reduce road noise, engine sounds, vibrations, and improve the overall experience inside your vehicle. Here are some of the best sound-absorbing materials for your car:
1. Acoustic Foam
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Best for: Absorbing mid to high-frequency noises.
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Use in: Doors, roofs, and interior panels.
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Benefits: Lightweight and easy to apply, acoustic foam is great for absorbing airborne noise. It's commonly used to line the inner doors and other interior surfaces to minimize noise reflection within the cabin.
2. Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) like PeaceMAT XXX
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Best for: Blocking and dampening noise, especially low-frequency sounds.
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Use in: Floors, under carpets, doors, and the firewall.
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Benefits: MLV is highly effective at reducing noise transmission due to its density. It's flexible, easy to install, and ideal for adding a barrier between your car and external noise sources like the road and engine.
3. Closed-Cell Foam like Van Insulation Closed Cell Foam
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Best for: Insulation and vibration damping.
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Use in: Roofs, doors, under carpets, and trunks.
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Benefits: Closed-cell foam is water-resistant and doesn’t absorb moisture, making it perfect for areas prone to dampness like the roof or trunk. It helps dampen vibrations and acts as a thermal insulator as well.
4. Butyl Rubber Sound Deadening Mats like PeaceMat XR
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Best for: Reducing vibrations and structure-borne noise.
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Use in: Doors, floor pans, wheel wells, and trunk.
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Benefits: Butyl rubber mats are highly effective for absorbing vibrations from the engine, road, and wheels. They also provide a layer of sound dampening for large flat surfaces like floors and doors.
5. Fiberglass Insulation like SOShield
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Best for: Heat insulation and sound absorption.
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Use in: Engine bay, firewall, and under the hood.
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Benefits: Fiberglass insulation is both a sound absorber and a thermal insulator, making it ideal for areas where heat and noise are an issue, like the engine compartment. It helps block engine noise while keeping the cabin cooler.
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6. Sound Deadening Sprays
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Best for: Hard-to-reach areas.
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Use in: Wheel wells, undercarriage, door cavities.
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Benefits: Sound deadening sprays can be applied to irregular surfaces where mats or sheets might be difficult to fit. They provide a thin layer of soundproofing that dampens vibrations and reduces noise.
7. Carpet Padding/Underlayment
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Best for: Enhancing overall cabin comfort.
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Use in: Under carpets and floor mats.
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Benefits: Special sound-absorbing padding can be placed beneath carpets to reduce road noise and create a more comfortable environment inside the vehicle.
8. Neoprene Foam
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Best for: Waterproofing and sound absorption.
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Use in: Doors, roofs, and trunks.
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Benefits: Neoprene foam is durable, water-resistant, and provides good sound absorption properties. It can be used to line various parts of the car to reduce noise while offering some heat insulation as well.
9. Damping Sheets like PeaceMat XR
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Best for: Vibration reduction.
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Use in: Metal panels, doors, floor pans, and roofs.
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Benefits: Damping sheets are designed to reduce vibrations on large, flat metal surfaces. They work well in minimizing structure-borne noise, like the vibrations caused by driving on rough roads or high-speed travel.
Conclusion:
The best sound-absorbing materials for your car depend on the specific areas you want to target and the types of noise you’re dealing with. A combination of materials, such as MLV for sound blocking, butyl mats for vibration damping, and foam for noise absorption, will provide the most effective results. With the right soundproofing solutions, you can significantly improve the acoustic comfort of your car.
Van Insulation is very selective with the foams and jutes in our sound absorbing automotive insulation products.
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Hydroweld - Used globally in pipe insulation and auditorium soundproofing. Hydrophobic insulation is particularly useful in cars, as it is water-resistant and has a high resistance to heat. Hydroweld is generally accepted as the highest quality solution for sound absorption in vehicles.
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Absoft (25mm or 50mm thick) - Absoft is soft insulation and used for sound absorption in vans, cars, and even lofts. Absoft is available in 25mm or 50mm thickness. These high-quality sound-absorbing materials are plush and great natural insulators.
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Closed-cell foam - Unlike open-cell foam, high-density closed-cell foam is impermeable to air and water-resistant, making it a good choice for adding heat insulation. Closed-cell foam is most effective when used as a decoupler between hard surfaces like rattling plastic panels.
Absoft - 25mm or 50mm Sound Absorber
Another, very efficient insulation product those who have a budget called Absoft. Absoft is popular because of it thickness and low price, it is also lightweight, a good sound absorber, an excellent insulator. Can be supplied with adhesive backing too, so no additional glue is required!
Benefits:
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Fire resistant.
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Super sound-absorbing properties.
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Lightweight, thick, and easy to install.
Car Insulation's CCF (Closed Cell Foam) can be used absolutely anywhere. The insulation normally combined with another layer for the best result. CCF from Car Insulation UK comes in different thicknesses and available in rolls up to 10m length. It is lightweight, self-adhesive and easy to apply.
Benefits:
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Fire resistant.
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Water resistant.
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Super sound-absorbing & insulation properties.
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Lightweight, and easy to install.
Closed Cell Foam - 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 20mm or 30mm Thick
Ready to Get Started?
Once you’re able to determine what kind of noise you’re experiencing in your car and which noise-cancellation method you need to use to eliminate it, all that’s left is to find a great product and get started. Car Insulation UK has you covered with every product you need to complete your automotive insulation project. Check out our online inventory and make it happen today!