Soundproofing materials required for an outdoor generator enclosure

Making your own soundproof generator enclosure can be a satisfying and fun activity. Most of the materials can be found conveniently at your local hardware store. Here is a list of the materials that can be utilized and some facts about them.

Mass Loaded Vinyl

• Excellent Noise reducer

• Frequently used beyond a good soundproof shed

• Is durable and robust

• Can be layered

• Can be painted for a more decorative work

• When applied, gaps should be calked or a metal tape utilized for efficiency.

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)

• Utilized for walls for mechanical isolation 

• Preferred over plywood as it passes less sound

• Some are moisture resistant

• Some are fire resistant

• Flexible and can be curved or shaped

Closed cell foam matting

• Excellent for inner insulation 

• An efficient sound deadening material by absorbing and blocking noise

• Water resistant unlike open cell foam

• Known to be mold resistant

• Generally fire retardant

• Light in weight

• More durable and stronger than the open cell foam. 

• Denser and is more expensive than the open cells

• Some costly models are a peel and stick design

Fiberglass Insulation

• Cheap, in respect to closed cell mats

• Moisture resistant

• Not combustible and inflammable

• Does not depreciate easily

• Efficiently controls sound and temperature

• Should be tightly packed for the best sound barrier

• Irritating to the skin

Acoustical tile or foam

• Comes in the form of fire resistant noise cancelling curtains

• Efficiently absorbs sound 

• Some of these products also absorb water

Soundproof paint

• Blocks the moisture

• Lessens noise and vibrations

• Needs multiple coatings to be efficient

• Flame retardant

• Perhaps difficult to get