sound dampening
There are two types of sound dampening sheets. They are the asphaltic sheets (basically tar) and the newer, more expensive, vinyl sheets. Both are adhesive coated, and when placed on a resonating surface, they convert the sound vibrations into heat energy and dissipate it.
The sheets Robert posted I am sure work well, as do Dynamat Hushmat, Fatmat and a host of others. The one thing they all have in common is high cost.
I was at Home Depot and saw in the roofing department a roll of aluminum with an asphaltic layer sandwiched between an adhesive layer. It is for gutter repair. I was shocked because it looked exactly like the sound absorbing sheets I had bought from Parts Express. (Only it comes on a roll instead of sheets.) And the cost was about one fourth of what I had paid for the acoustic sound dampening sheets.
I got online and read the reviews from Home Depot and Lowe's and found others have notice just what I did and they are buying these instead of the expensive acoustic Asphaltic sheets, as it is tremendously cheaper....and it is absolutely the same thing.
Of course the vinyl sheets are easier to use and don't smell but cost a lot more.
I decide to try them for sound dampening and it works! I routinely cover the outside of the tubs of my dishwashers with it, as it muffles the sound of the water hitting the tub. I also use it on the underside of my stainless steel sink to stop the resonating vibrations of the sink when I use the garbage disposal.
I decided to try it on my Speed Queen washer (the one I put the Amana control panel on) as there was a little metal vibration cabinet noise and it stopped it.
I got brave an put it inside the Amana dryer. What irks me is the clink of zippers and buttons on the tub and horrible Speed Queen/Amana thump of the roller wheels. I put it on the inside of the cabinet, and the outside of the drum.
Mistake.
It dis slightly muffled the metallic sounds of zippers/buttons, but barely. Did nothing for the wheel thump. AND the biggest problem was after a few months the heat and rotation caused the sheets to come partially loose and they flapped around on the inside of the dryer hitting the cabinet. So I just pulled them the rest of the way off. Now I have tar residue all over the outside of the drum.
But, it works well for the washer, and very well for the dishwasher tub, and they have remained intact. If fact I tried to pry one off and cold barely do it I also put it on the inside of the dishwasher door as well. I just cut it to fit around the detergent/rinse aid dispensers.
Most people use it in their car in the wheel wells, inside the door panels and under the carpet to damp out vibrations. The Lowes' and Home Depot reviews many seem to indicate it works exactly as the do the killer cost Dynamat sheets, et al. But I have not tried them on my truck so I can't confirm.
But if you want some cheap and quick sound muffling for you washer or dishwasher given them a try. They cost something like $16 for a 25 foot roll, so its not expensive and you just cut it with a razor knife and place the adhesive side down on the metal panels. Quick, easy and fun. You might want to give it a try.
