Soundproofing your car might not be something very high up on your list of priorities, but if you\u2019ve invested lots of money in a high-quality sound system, or you\u2019ve recently fitted a new, larger engine, then it will definitely be worth looking at a sound deadening product to improve your driving experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article compares two major brands, Dynamat and Kilmat, to see which is the best sound deadener for your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Out of these two major brands, Dynamat (check prices on Amazon) is definitely the better choice. It might not be the cheapest option available, but as with many products, you definitely pay for the quality. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kilmat (see it on Amazon), however, is a good product, and will be suitable for the job, particularly if you\u2019re on a tighter budget. However, if money isn\u2019t an option, Dynamat should be your top choice for sound deadening in a vehicle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here is a video demonstrating the superiority of Dynamat.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Reducing Road Noise with Dynamat Noise Damping Solutions | Crutchfield Video<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Dynamat and Kilmat are made from butyl rubber, and both have some sort of metal backing. For Dynamat, it\u2019s aluminum alloy, and for Kilmat, it\u2019s simply listed as \u201cfoil\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, Dynamat is a higher-end product, and so is made with more expensive materials where possible. This includes the backing material, which helps make it more tear resistant and easy to use. However, the foil backing on Kilmat does help with the durability of the product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So what is butyl rubber? Butyl rubber is a synthetic rubber compound that has a variety of technical uses, ranging from tires and basketball inner layers to chewing gum and other food products. However, one of its best uses is as a sound deadening material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the major brands use butyl rubber, but some of the cheaper ones use an asphalt compound, which is nowhere near as effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Butyl rubber is very dense, and as a result, is quite heavy. As is probably logical, this means it\u2019s great at absorbing vibrations that might pass through your vehicle, whether these come from the road surface, another external source, or the vehicle itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While both Dynamat and Kilmat use butyl rubber, one of the biggest differences is the thickness of the product. Both come in a range of thicknesses, but Dynamat produces a thicker product all round. Obviously, the thicker the rubber, the better the sound deadening properties.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first image below is of the Dynamat and the second one is of the Kilmat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest drawbacks of cars is that in their normal state, they\u2019re very poor at managing noise pollution. This is because metal \u2013 the main component of many cars \u2013 has awful noise management properties, and is very poor at reducing vibration. While this does have its practical uses in some situations, managing noise pollution inside a car isn\u2019t one of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So if you find yourself driving along in a very noisy interior, it will definitely be worth installing a sound deadening material to deal with this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to fitting the sound deadening product in your car, whether you choose Dynamat or Kilmat, the amount you choose to install will depend on a range of things such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The job itself isn\u2019t particularly hard if you have some technical experience, but it can be very time consuming. If this is going to be an issue for you, simply buy the product and get a local engineer to install it for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If budget isn\u2019t an issue for this project, and you\u2019re serious about reducing the amount of vibrations in your car\u2019s cabin, then fit the sound deadening product on every available surface, such as the doors, the headliner, the trunk, the floors, and indeed the hood too.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n However, if you don\u2019t have the funds to buy that much Dynamat or Kilmat (you might find the bill racking up quicker than you expect), then at the very minimum make sure you do the doors and the floor.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the biggest sources of noise pollution is from the road surface. Anyone who\u2019s driven on a poorly maintained road will know just how bad this can be, and so you\u2019ll definitely want to concentrate on the floor as your primary area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also useful to install the sound deadening product on the doors because not only do these usually house speakers, but they can be quite susceptible to picking up vibrations from the car\u2019s engine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Installing the product around speakers will massively improve the sound quality, mainly because it will reduce the vibrations that travel from the speakers into the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a general rule, you want to fit the Dynamat or Kilmat on between 25% and 50% of your car\u2019s interior.<\/strong> This will make a noticeable difference to the amount of noise pollution you experience, and hopefully shouldn\u2019t break the bank. However, if money isn\u2019t as much of an issue, and you\u2019re really serious about the project, then consider covering 100% of your interior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dynamat makes products that are specifically designed for different areas of the car. Their standard sound deadening mat can be used everywhere, but for maximum efficiency you should also use their Dynapad (Amazon link) material for the floor, Dynaliner (Amazon link) for the headliner, and Dynamat Hoodliner (Amazon link) for under the hood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kilmat unfortunately only produce the standard sound deadening material, but it can be used in most of these areas (avoid using under the hood because of the foil backing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both Dynamat and Kilmat are relatively easy to install. The most difficult part of the project is removing and refitting the interior of your vehicle, as you\u2019ll have to remove the door panels, carpet, paneling, and headliner before installing the product. If this is something you don\u2019t think you\u2019ll be able to do, then take the car to a local engineer. Even if they haven\u2019t fitted the product before, they shouldn\u2019t have a problem doing so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve removed any relevant panels, make sure you give the area a good clean to remove any dirt and dust. This is an important step because both products have a self-adhesive backing, and so need a relatively clean surface to ensure good adhesion. If you don\u2019t take care at this step then the product won\u2019t bond properly, and its effectiveness will be drastically reduced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first two are the most complicated steps, and the next bit is very easy. All you need to do now is cut the product to size, remove the backing, and stick in place. You might want to use a roller or heat gun to make sure it\u2019s properly stuck down, and this will also help you fit it into any contoured areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can use a heat gun on both Dynamat and Kilmat, as the metal backing will offer some protection, and butyl rubber can withstand quite a lot of heat without losing any of its sound deadening properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The final step is to then replace any panels you removed before installation. Don\u2019t worry about refitting the panels over the product as it\u2019s not very thick, and so should make very little difference at this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re using Dynamat, it\u2019s worthwhile installing both the standard material and Dynapad on the floor, as this will give you adequate protection from road vibrations.<\/strong> Dynapad is a four-layer composite material that insulates from both noise and heat, but is very heavy, and so will add quite a bit of weight to your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I found this installation video very helpful.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n HOW TO INSTALL DYNAMAT SOUND DAMPENING \/ DEADENING MATERIAL (RockMat, Hushmat, Dynamat)<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re serious about improving the quality of your drive, and you\u2019ve already invested money in your car in one way or another, then yes, sound deadening products are definitely worth the money. Read my article \u2018Is soundproofing cars worth the money?\u2018 in which I explain in detail.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n They make a considerable difference to the amount of noise pollution you experience in the cabin, and will improve the sound quality of any speakers fitted in your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dynamat, while more expensive, is the superior product<\/strong>. Not only is the base material better quality, the company offers a range of different products for the different areas of your car. Each is specifically designed for the job, and so ensures maximum efficiency for your money. However, if you\u2019re on a budget, then Kilmat will still do a good job at deadening sound in your car.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To go back to the original question, \u201cWhich is the better sound deadener?\u201d<\/strong> the answer is definitely Dynamat.<\/strong> It\u2019s one of the leading products on the market, and easily beats the competition due to its superior construction and range of products. That said, it\u2019s definitely not the cheapest option, but as with any soundproofing project, you get what you pay for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kilmat <\/strong>is still a good product though, and will be ideal for those not needing as much sound deadening in their car. The biggest factor in making your decision will be related to your budget, as the difference in price is very noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read my other sound deadener comparison articles which are listed below. However, without a doubt, the Dynamat is the best sound deadener.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n XXXXX<\/p>\n\n\n Vehicle soundproofing. I am not sure if it is becoming an art form, a national pastime, a personal obsession, a search for quiet, or a combination of some, or all, of these. Whatever moves you, please read on for information about 4 of the best products on the market. Kilmat, Noico, Dynamat, Hushmat. What you find here should help you make an informed decision about what will work best for your vehicle and budget.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Just a quick overview of the following sound deadening mats. For your information. (And to save repeating it for every product.)<\/p>\n Everyone\u2019s first question. It depends is usually the first answer. On how much of the vehicle you are going to cover. On how big, or small, your vehicle is. On which product you choose. How anal you might be. But given those variables, I think you will spend somewhere between $80.00 (if only doing the floor and firewall) and $400.00 (if you are covering every possible surface). Most of the products come in 36 square foot boxes, so unless you are running a stretch limo, 5 or at most 6, boxes should do the trick. At least one product listed below will cost significantly more than $400.00 to do a complete vehicle\u2013unless you drive a Smart Car.<\/strong><\/p>\n Note: Being one of the more anal types, I would also have a couple of rolls of Fowong Soundproofing Anti-Vibration Tape and a tube of acoustic caulking handy. Just in case I did not get perfect fits. Then I could fill the gaps with caulking and cover it with foam tape to ensure I had no gaps. Or you can order product specific tape from each manufacturer.<\/p>\n If you are not interested in tearing your car apart, and having to put it all back together, you can have your soundproofing done by a shop that specializes in the operation. I have seen prices upwards of $1750.00 to have a vehicle professionally soundproofed. Quite often with material cost extra\u2013again because of different product choices. Make sure you get a solid quote before committing to the work.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I have listed \u2018Approximate Costs\u2019 per square foot for each product. And \u2018Approximate\u2019 is exactly what I mean. I looked at manufacturer\u2019s web stores, retailers, online retailers, and consulted with the Tooth Fairy to try to be as accurate as possible. The prices seem to be all over the place with manufacturer\u2019s selling for more than retailers, funky websites trying to flip the customer to something \u2018just as good\u2019, and sites selling kits, not boxes of flat pieces you can cut to fit. So please do your homework on pricing before buying.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Everyone\u2019s second question. Especially when it is a DIY project. I think you need to allow 3 \u2013 5 days. After all, you are going to have to get every surface in the vehicle down to bare metal, then replace all of the pieces, ensuring they do not come loose. (You are not going to stick soundproofing onto your roof without removing and replacing the liner.)<\/p>\n Note: Make sure you have your owners manual handy (or an online manual) to tell you how to remove and replace various vehicle parts\u2013like seats. Just grabbing a door panel and yanking it off may not be the best idea.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n A mil is 1\/1000th of an inch. Therefore 80 mil thick product is .08 of an inch thick, or 2 millimeters. Which is not very thick for the positive result you will get from installing it. Realistically, it cannot be very thick because you have to re-install all of interior panels with the soundproofing mat under it.<\/p>\n Although all of the manufacturers offer different thicknesses of product, 80 mil seems to be the most popular. So I am going to use that size for the following comparisons. Your own needs, and vehicle, may lead you to choose something thicker, thinner, or more installer-friendly.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Although Kilmat is not as well known as Noico or Dynamat, its popularity is growing. The manufacturer seems to be trying to thread the price needle between the higher-priced products and budget-priced products while providing competitive quality. Quite successfully, it appears.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Although Noico butyl is not quite as pure as Dynamat, it produces a similar result for a lower price. (Slightly more expensive than Kilmat.) It is also thicker and heavier than Dynamat. It is the same thickness as Kilmat but 0.2 lb. per square foot heavier.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Notes: Mill foil is a description of the color\u2013shiny, like aluminum foil wrap. The black product is a little more expensive because of the color sprayed onto the foil. It is generally used where the finished product will be exposed\u2013by someone who does not want the shiny finish. The 150 and 315 numbers attached to Noico Red give the thickness in mils. Noico Red is self-adhesive closed cell polyethylene foam\u2013not butyl. (Do not use Noico Red as a heat shield.)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Dynamat is definitely the most well known (and probably most widely used) vehicle sound deadening mat. They do not produce an 80 mil mat, so I used their most popular product for comparison purposes.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Hushmat Ultra pricing seems to fall between Dynamat and Noico pricing. It is engineered to fit OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Note: Not sure I would trust the water only cleaning. Almost all metal manufacturing processes have a tendency to leave an oily residue. I would be very tempted to use a 50\/50 vinegar\/water mix to make sure the surface is clean and the product will adhere properly.<\/p>\n All of these products perform the same function in your vehicle\u2013reduce noise, heat, vibrations, and rattles. All of them are applied in an almost identical manner. All of them are fairly easy to cut and fit. In the end, your choice will come down to your comfort level with the products.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n I would have to go with the Noico 80 for the following reasons:<\/p>\n Even soundproofing 2 vehicle doors is a fairly serious undertaking, if you have never done anything like this before. If you decide the do the entire vehicle at one time, it becomes a major project. (Do not plan this for the weekend before you intend to drive across the country.) A few final points:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Vehicle soundproofing. I am not sure if it is becoming an art form, a national pastime, a personal obsession, a search for quiet, or a combination of some, or all, of these. Whatever moves you, please read on for information about 4 of the best products on the market. Kilmat, Noico, Dynamat, Hushmat. What you…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[47],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nDynamat and Kilmat, how do they work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How should you fit the sound deadening product in the car?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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How to install Dynamat and Kilmat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Remove interior fittings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Clean the surfaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Cut and stick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Replace panels and fittings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sound deadening products \u2013 are they worth the money?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts On Dynamat Vs Kilmat<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Thanks for reading. If you found this article helpful, don\u2019t forget to share.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Sound Deadening Mat Information<\/h2>\n
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How Much Will it Cost?<\/h3>\n
Approximate Costs Listed Below<\/h4>\n
How Much Time Will it Take?<\/h3>\n
What Does 80 mil Mean?<\/h3>\n
Features<\/h3>\n
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Available Products<\/h3>\n
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The Good<\/h3>\n
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The Not so Good<\/h3>\n
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Features<\/h3>\n
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Available Products<\/h3>\n
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The Good<\/h3>\n
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The Not so Good<\/h3>\n
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Features<\/h3>\n
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Available Products<\/h3>\n
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The Good<\/h3>\n
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The Not so Good<\/h3>\n
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Features<\/h3>\n
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Available Products<\/h3>\n
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The Good<\/h3>\n
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The Not so Good<\/h3>\n
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Conclusions<\/h2>\n
My Choice<\/h3>\n
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End Notes<\/h2>\n
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