Car Interior Soundproofing
Soundproofing, also known as car interior soundproofing, is a process that significantly increases driving comfort. Nowadays, fewer manufacturers pay proper attention to the acoustic insulation of their cars. Financial optimization forces the search for increasingly ineffective solutions. Fortunately, there is a range of sound-dampening materials available on the market to counteract this issue, such as bitumen or butyl mats.
Effective Car Soundproofing: Types of Available Materials
Two types of mats are used for car soundproofing. What is a butyl mat and how does it differ from a bitumen mat? At first glance, they may look similar, but the difference is better felt by touch:
- The butyl mass will be much more flexible, so it does not require high temperatures during application.
- Another important difference between the mats is their resistance to weather conditions. Because the bitumen mat has much lower plasticity – in summer, when it is hot, it becomes too soft and may risk “melting” off the glued element. In contrast, at low temperatures, it becomes hard and may crack, causing it to break.
Acoustic insulation aims to best isolate surfaces from the noise source. The layers of mats or foams should be uniform and sealed to achieve the best effect.
Soundproofing Car Doors with Mats or Foams – Advantages
Mats effectively reduce resonance, stiffen the body, and isolate noise in the doors. However, it’s also important to pay attention to acoustic foams, which are another essential element of car soundproofing. They dampen noise and complement the damping effect as a second layer for mats. Foams, besides size and structure, can primarily be divided into closed-cell and open-cell. In short, the former does not absorb water or absorbs it minimally. The latter is susceptible to moisture and is not suitable for areas exposed to water contact.
What is the difference between a butyl mat and a bitumen mat?
More information about car damping materials!
Car Soundproofing: Materials Needed for Applying Soundproofing
Before applying the insulation used for car interior soundproofing, the surface must be clean, dry, and free of grease. The more attention we pay to surface preparation, the better and longer-lasting the effect will be. Start by thoroughly cleaning the surface from dirt, and then degrease it. Silicone remover or more common extraction gasoline can be helpful. We can make cleaning difficult elements easier with an anti-corrosion agent like “baranek,” which will effectively penetrate areas we didn’t clean thoroughly and significantly improve the adhesion of the mat or foam.
Remember to let the preparation evaporate completely, which can sometimes be a time-consuming process. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packaging. Apply the mat or foam layer to the prepared surface, ensuring that the mat is tightly and firmly pressed onto the element. There are many tools available that make this application process easier. We can use dedicated rollers, spatulas, or any other object that will press the mat firmly onto the element.
Other Procedures to Increase the Durability of Materials Used for Car Soundproofing
Although currently, butyl mats do not require heating, this process increases their plasticity and makes application easier. Depending on the material used, manufacturers recommend working at room temperature (above 15°C). Proper application of foams and mats guarantees improved travel comfort, which can be noticed during the first longer trip. It is definitely worth doing. And what if we don’t want to or don’t know how to take care of this task ourselves? Then car soundproofing is best left to professionals.
Car Soundproofing: Lublin or Warsaw
If you want effective and quick car interior soundproofing, you can trust professionals like the Sound Audio System team. At our workshop, we’ll take care of both preparing the surface for mat application and placing them properly, ensuring a long-lasting effect. We know that these procedures not only improve driving comfort but also enhance music listening in your car and make phone calls clearer. All clients from Warsaw and the entire Mazowieckie region are welcome to our salon in Lublin. We guarantee punctuality and professionalism for all our services. Call or write to schedule your visit.
If you’re wondering how much it costs to soundproof your car, check out our price list: