HowTo ·

A Quiet & Cozy Ride: Van Sound Deadening & Insulation Explained

Hey everybody, Matt here for AVC and welcome back to the shop!

So you’ve got a new van, and you're ready to turn it into your dream home on wheels. But before you get to the fun stuff like cabinets and beds, there are a couple of crucial first steps that will make a massive difference in your comfort: sound deadening and insulation.

This is the perfect complement to our New Van Prep guide. We’ll also have links available for all the products we're using down below, so if you want to pick some of these up and support the channel, go ahead and hit those links!

 

Step 1: Sound Deadening

The first step in any van build is adding sound deadening. A van's sheet metal panels will vibrate and "ring like a bell" as you drive, creating a loud, tinny noise. This vibration is known as resonant sound transfer. Sound deadening material is designed to stop that vibration, making your ride significantly quieter.

The Product: Kilmat

While you might know the brand name "Dynamat," we use a product called Kilmat here at the shop. We've tried many different brands (like Neuko and others), and in our opinion, they are all basically the same: a butyl-based layer with a heavy foil backing.

How to Apply It:

  • The "Quilted" Trick: Kilmat has a quilted pattern on its foil side. Your goal is to apply it and then smooth out all of those dimples. You can use a special roller for this or just the handle of a screwdriver.

  • Don't Overdo It: It's easy to get carried away and cover every inch of your van. However, this stuff is heavy! A single box can weigh 20-25 pounds, and a full van can add over 200 pounds, hurting your fuel economy. We've found that 50% coverage is more than enough.

  • Key Areas to Target:

    • Wheel Wells: This is where you should go heavy, aiming for 100% coverage. It will help quiet the sound of rocks and road debris being kicked up by your tires.

    • Doors: Adding sound deadening inside your doors is a game-changer. It will give your van that premium, "luxury vehicle" sound—a satisfying, solid "thud" instead of a hollow "clunk" when you close the door.

  • Safety First: The edges of the foil and the metal inside your van can be sharp. We highly recommend wearing sturdy gloves to protect your hands from cuts.

 

Step 2: Insulation

Once your van is sound deadened, it's time to insulate. This step is about more than just thermal properties; it's also about sound absorption.

The Product: 3M Thinsulate

We use 3M Thinsulate SM-600 with a 1.5-inch loft. This material was originally developed by 3M specifically for sound absorption, but they quickly discovered its excellent thermal properties. That's why you find it in everything from ski gloves to boots!

Why We Love It:

  • Moisture & Mildew Resistant: Thinsulate is engineered to resist moisture, meaning it won't hold water, mildew, or develop a funky smell over time.

  • Fire Retardant: It doesn't hold a flame! If a spark were to happen behind your walls, the material would melt but not ignite, giving you a huge safety advantage.

  • Excellent Sound Absorption: The open-baffle side of the material is designed to absorb sound, making the interior of your van a much quieter and more comfortable space to be in.

  • Good R-Value: With an R-value of 5.7, it provides solid thermal insulation to keep you warm in the cold and cool in the heat.

How to Apply It:

  • Adhesive-First: Always glue the open-baffle side of the Thinsulate directly to the van's sheet metal. This helps with both sound absorption and thermal properties.

  • Don't Overstuff: While it might seem intuitive to pack every cavity as tightly as possible, overstuffing is a bad idea. We want just enough insulation to fill the space. A little loose air isn't the end of the world, but overdoing it can cause problems down the road.

  • Doors Again: Just like with sound deadening, stuffing your doors with Thinsulate will make them sound even more luxurious when you close them.

 

Final Review: The Build Stack

To recap your van build's first two layers:

  1. Directly on the van's sheet metal: Apply your sound deadening mat (like Kilmat), making sure to roll it down for good adhesion. This stops resonant sound.

  2. On top of that: Install your insulation (we recommend 3M Thinsulate), gluing the open-baffle side directly to the metal. This absorbs sound and provides thermal protection.

By taking the time to do these steps correctly, you'll be giving your van a great foundation for a quiet, comfortable, and cozy build. I hope these tips and tricks help you get your van started right.

Here are the links to everything you need to get started:

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