If you regularly drive around in a cargo van, any noise that it makes can go from being just a slight irritation to really annoying, and very quickly. One of the main reasons why cargo vans are often noisy is that they are designed for commercial not domestic use.

This means that they do not have the trim which could help to prevent noise from bouncing off the various surfaces; the roof, walls and floor of the van.

The good news is that you can soundproof a cargo van and do it relatively cheaply.

If you follow my tips and tutorial shown below, it will be possible for you to deaden the noise levels coming into the van (from the engine and road particularly) and will make for a far more pleasant driving experience.

Here are the steps you should follow if you want to know how to soundproof a cargo van cheaply and effectively.

Step 1: Control the Noise by Using Noise Dampening Sheets

By placing noise dampening sheets onto the walls and ceiling of your van, you can successfully absorb the energy of any sounds that occur; thereby deadening them. It’s the most basic of soundproofing tips for a cargo van but is the one task that will give you the best results straight off the bat.

These tiles can be molded to the surface of the vehicle, using a hairdryer which produces the heat to stick them in place or buy peel and stick ones. They can also be overpainted, to reflect the color scheme of the van.

The sheets come in packs, so make sure that you measure your van, before you place an order, so you don’t spend more money than you need to, or don’t order enough in the first place which would be even more frustrating I think!

My recommended noise dampening sheets are available on Amazon from a company called Noico. You can view the latest prices on Amazon now – plus some amazing reviews.

Handy Hint: When you are placing these tiles, always start from the center of the area you are covering. If you are short on funds you can get away with covering around 60% of the van’s surface. But, for best results, you should make sure that the entire surface area is covered.

Step 2 – Add a Layer of Insulating Foam

Once you have completed the first step in soundproofing your cargo van with those noise dampening sheets, you need to start on the next stage if you want even better results.

This involves fitting a further layer of soundproofing which comes in the form of insulating foam. This type of foam material helps with thermal insulation of the vehicle as well as sound proofing. Take a look at my recommended foam on Amazon – view latest prices.

It’s easy to fit, as you can simply peel the backing away and fit the insulation wherever it’s needed. The easiest way to do this is by using a roller. The 10mm of thickness means that noise is deadened effectively.

Step 3 – Insulating the Floor Areas

In order to absorb sound in the floor of your van and reduce noise coming up from the road and engine, also use the foam and sound deadening mats on the floor area.,

You could also consider laying carpet over the foam and matting to finish the look off.

What Results Will You Get?

The results of soundproofing your cargo van should be noticeable straight away.

  • You can talk and listen inside the van, with no problem.
  • Noise from outside the van is no longer an irritating distraction.
  • The temperature inside the van should be reduced, when the weather outside is hot.
  • Condensation inside the van should be reduced.
  • The interior of the van is far easier to touch, as you are not touching bare metal. This is a great advantage in very hot, or very cold, temperatures.

All of these factors can make driving a cargo van a far more pleasurable experience.

You can see that it’s not difficult to soundproof a cargo van. It just takes a bit of time and effort. Depending on the budget you have, you may decide that you can only afford to cover a large percentage of the walls of the van with sound insulation. Anything over 60% coverage will help. But, if you can afford to cover the entire area, you will notice the difference.

Do not forget that insulating your vehicle for acoustic reasons also helps with thermal insulation, so that you do not feel really cold when the weather is freezing, or too hot when temperatures rise.

You can also protect the paintwork of the van by soundproofing it. This is because the soundproofing materials protect the paintwork that lies beneath them. As a result, the paintwork is not as susceptible to scrapes and chipping. Over time this can save you money on vehicle maintenance.

You can see that the benefits of soundproofing your van are numerous. You should set aside a weekend when you have time to do the work. This means that you do not have to rush, and that any adhesives which are used have time to dry. When you start to drive again you will have the benefit of a van that is soundproofed against all of those noises that have been driving you crazy.