Best sound insulation for roof?

[wtfisafleek]

Hey Guys,

There's a lot of info out there on the web and frankly I don't want to spend the time researching it ad nauseum since it's not a subject I'm particularly interested in. I'm just looking for recommendations of a good product to insulate my roof that will do a good job and last. Thanks.

[sonikaccord]

Everything pretty much works nowadays.

The top products have been
SDS
Silent Coat 4mm
KnoKnoise Kolossus(I have this, it's awesome for the price if you can get some B-stock)

If you can find some Thinsulate, it'll also cut down on airborne noise as well as interior heat.

https://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum...d-testing.html

My current top three, based entirely on performance and heat testing, in the order I would put them.


1st - Sound Deadener Showdown CLD Tiles
2nd - Silent Coat 4mm
3rd - KnuKonceptz Kolossus

With the products I have left to test, I don't see SDS CLD Tiles being knocked off top spot. In fact, its been top spot since it was first tested. With heat testing mostly finished, Kolossus got knocked down a notch to Silent Coat 4mm. But neither can come close to matching SDS's heat tolerance, and that is a big deal for me. As I've said before, I firmly believe that products that withstand a wider range of temperatures, will also damp vibrations better at a wider range a temperatures. I can't objectively prove it without building a far more expensive test rig, but all the information available points to that being true. Living somewhere where temps get to 110F in the summer, that is important to me.


As I said in the first post, I would be using the top testing overall product, regardless of price, in my personal builds. In a few weeks, I will be installing some SDS in my personal (well my wife's) car, and will be taking before and after measurements.

Price wise, the top three breakdown as following. I've excluded bulk packs, and limited amounts to 35 square feet. In a normal install, more than that shouldn't be needed.

1 - KnuKonceptz Kolossus - $5.42-$4 per square foot, for normal amounts.
2 - SDS CLD Tiles - $6.36-$5.40 per square foot, for normal amounts.
3 - Silent Coat 4mm - $5.47 per square foot*

I've listed Silent Coat as third, because they only seem to have one price point at this time, and in order to do a whole car, their price point is higher than SDS. Buying 16.6 square feet of SDS gets you to $5.40 per square foot, where 15.36 square feet of Silent Coat is $5.47. Anything over that is still $5.47.

The pro's of SDS is direct customer service from the owner and original CLD tester, along with a killer no frills website that is the only sound deadening website that I have found from any company not to have at least one lie, stretch of the truth, or statement of ignorance, along with the best overall product when considering the requirements of a CLD designed for car use. It's also the lightest of the top 3 products, by at least 25%. The only con I can come up with is price, but as far as I'm personally concerned the price is justified. As said earlier, this is what I'll personally be using. (Previously, I would have listed difficulty in ordering as a con as well, as some people had reported issues, but, now that SDS has a fully working cart system implemented, that is a non issue anymore)

The pro's of Silent Coat 4mm are slightly better damping (and by slight I mean right at the edge of this test's tolerance). The cons are again, price, as well as a lower heat tolerance level, highest weight of the top 3, and a weak constraining layer. Some might remember, that Silent Coat is the product I had issues with using the stamper to cut out, as the stress caused the constraining layer to tear on the edges. This is the only product I've had do this. I would not use this in an area where heavy rubbing or sliding might take place.

The pro for Kolossus is price. Its the lowest priced, high performing product, performing just under SDS in damping (performing below SDS by right at the tolerances of the testing). The cons, well, slightly less damping performance, a flammable plastic coating on the aluminum the second highest weight of the top 3, and significantly less heat stability. I don't think the product performs low enough in heat testing to fall off, but I do think SDS would perform measurably better in summer conditions. Likewise, I don't think the flammable coating is going to cause an issue (its also not the only product that has this), but it does need to be mentioned.

[illinois_erik]

Lizard Skin, sound and heat. Sprayable to get in every nook and cranny, forget rolling shit out.

[wtfisafleek]

Thanks for that Sonik. I guess SDS is out of business, and the Kolassus doesn't sound like it would be suitable for Texas summers. Anyone know how the Silent Coat behaves in high temps (read: butyl)?

As far as Lizard Skin goes, that's definitely an appealing product, but that's way more prep than I'd like to do with this car. Maybe another car, but not this one.

[sonikaccord]

Oh wow, didn't know that.

There's also second skin audio damplifier products. Most of these mat style products have butyl based material. Installing upside down is always a test for them.

You could also do Dynamat because their weight is pretty low. They aren't a bad product, just very mainstream.

[F22Chris]

Fatmat.

[wtfisafleek]

I ended up going with this stuff: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

...mainly because it's not butyl. With as hot as it gets here one hot summer would turn that stuff into a mess that might ruin my headliner. I'm not sure what glue they used but it was more than enough to get this stuff stuck on. Plus it's the perfect thickness.

I'll put a few more details on my build thread.

[Crankshaft]

Having come from the hood there are a few techniques used;

1.https://www.homedepot.com/p/USEAL-US...-202086180-_-N

You would you this stuff in the same manner you would use Dinamat etc. mainly used o trunk floors.

2. There is a foam insulation roll with a silver backing that you cut and stick using spray adhesive.

3. Deadening material like the one used on door panels, dealerships and carpet stores sell this stuff.

4. Sound deadening coating via spray or roll.

Now do be aware that in order to deaden a panel you do not need to fully cover the area .

[sonikaccord]

Aluminum covered CCF?

I'll be interested in your thoughts about it

[Crankshaft]

Aluminum covered CCF?

I'll be interested in your thoughts about it

I have been trying all day to figure out what CCF stands for

[Rilas]

CCF is Closed Cell Foam I believe. If you go read about sound deadening it's all over the place.

[Crankshaft]

CCF is Closed Cell Foam I believe. If you go read about sound deadening it's all over the place.

Thanks Rilas.

The Duct insulation i was talking about but could not find you a link to has a foam side with an adhesive layer and a foil backing, i have used this in roofs before by applying a layer of spray adhesive to help bond. There are a couple sites that have very in-depth information on this subject with individuals trying to achieve unsafe levels of deadening. Just one small warning, some materials will keep heat trapped inside the vehicle so if you live in a hot ass place like Houston be aware of this.

[sonikaccord]

Lol at "unsafe levels of deadening." That's me, I have issues.

Rilas hit the nail on the booty