Soundown Sound Insulation

Engineered Quiet: Soundown Sound Insulation for Marine & Beyond

Soundown has earned its place as one of the most respected names in sound insulation, and it's no accident. Soundown was founded by sound engineers, built on acoustic knowledge and real-world experience — and that scientific foundation is evident in every insulation product the company produces. With over 50 years of experience, the company has established a reputation for delivering innovative, effective, and customized noise control products.

A Science-First Approach to Sound Insulation

What sets Soundown apart from generic foam suppliers is the depth of engineering behind each product. Soundown's rigorous approach has resulted in numerous patents on specific sound reduction products and processes. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, the company's approach to product design and selection is solidly based on professional engineering understanding of the science of noise and vibration, melded with years of practical experience.

The result is a lineup of sound insulation materials engineered to address noise at every stage — absorbing airborne sound, blocking transmission, and damping structure-borne vibration — rather than simply deadening one frequency range.

Key Soundown Sound Insulation Products

• Vinyl/Foam Composite (IVF Series): The standard composite consists of a layer of mass-loaded vinyl sandwiched between two layers of polyether fire retardant foam, covered by a thin vapor barrier facing — designed specifically for the attenuation of sounds from engines, generators, pumps, and other marine equipment with significant bass and mid-range frequency components.
• TuffMass (Mass-Loaded Vinyl): TuffMass is a specially developed mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) product offering superior acoustic transmission loss combined with good damping properties, available in surface densities of 1/2, 1, 1.5, and 2 lbs/ft², with STC ratings up to 32.
• Hull Board: Soundown's Hull Board is a lightweight, semi-rigid, all-purpose acoustic insulation material with excellent thermal properties, carrying US Coast Guard and IMO approvals as an incombustible material suitable for most areas aboard vessels of any size.
• Incombustible Microlite: Microlite is specifically developed as a lightweight thermal and acoustic blanket for marine applications, weighing only 0.75 lbs/ft³ — a significant weight savings compared to traditional hull insulation materials that weigh 3–8 lbs/ft³.
• Vibration Damping Tiles: Soundown Vibration Damping Tiles are an easily applied damping layer for stopping reverberant "ringing" vibration in heavy plate constructions, consuming vibrational energy and transforming it into heat before it can radiate as sound — suitable for steel, aluminum, and fiberglass laminate substrates.
• Acoustic Foam (Polyether): Soundown's acoustic foam uses a polyether formulation that outlasts inferior polyester foams, providing the highest level of hydrolytic stability — critical for the wet, salt-air environment aboard any vessel.

Interior Treatments: Quieting the Whole Vessel

When thinking about noise control aboard boats and yachts, there is a tendency to focus first on the machinery space — but to build a truly quiet boat, it is also important to consider treatments inside the accommodations, which further reduce noise from mechanical sources and reduce hydrodynamic noise. For example, installing Soundown's Damping Tile under a hardwood or tile floor absorbs vibrations in the deck that would otherwise radiate as structure-borne noise; in carpet areas, Soundown's Premium Carpet Underlayment provides both an acoustic barrier and a plush underfoot feel.

From engine room linings to cabin headliners, Soundown's barrier composite materials use an array of base materials to achieve specific results and are among the best materials for lining engines, generators, and other noisy spaces. Whether you're outfitting a weekend cruiser or a large commercial vessel, Soundown sound insulation products bring the same engineering rigor to every application.