Shipping containers are used for a wide variety of purposes – and some of those can be very loud!
Whether you are using shipping containers to house industrial equipment, as a workshop, an office, a music studio or any other purpose that is likely to generate noise, soundproofing can be beneficial. Containers are not inherently soundproof owing to their construction materials, and as soundproofing is the responsibility of anyone generating loud noises regularly, it’s a good idea to understand how you can minimise noise pollution from your container solution.
We have pulled together a guide to help you with this below.
No matter the intended use, effective soundproofing can significantly reduce shipping container noise, and enhance the functionality and comfort of the container.
Are Containers Soundproof?
Shipping containers aren’t typically soundproof, because their traditional purpose was to transport cargo. They’re made from relatively thin steel, which means that sound waves can easily travel through the sides of the unit. Acoustics are also further amplified once inside the container, as the sound waves can bounce around the empty space.
However, if you want to reduce shipping container noise, it is possible for a conversion specialist to provide sound attenuation with some extra modifications.
How to Soundproof My Shipping Container?
To effectively soundproof your shipping container, you need to understand various aspects of sound and how it travels. Sound is a vibration that pushes a wave of pressure through the air, and the more a sound wave can vibrate, the more intense the noise. But not all sounds are created equal, so when you’re soundproofing a container, you need to consider both how to soundproof, and which sections to soundproof:
- Understand the types of sound
- Airborne Sounds: These are sounds that travel through the air, such as voices or music. They can be blocked by adding mass and insulation to the walls, ceiling, and floor of your container.
- Bass Frequencies: These are low-frequency sounds that can travel through solid surfaces. They carry more energy than high-frequency sounds, and create vibrations when they hit a surface. That means the sound waves need to be absorbed, to reduce the noise.
- Direction of sound waves
- Sound travels in all directions, so you need to soundproof every surface of the container. This includes the walls, ceiling, floor, doors, and any windows.
The main problem with container acoustics is that there is nothing insulating the steel sheet sides so sound waves can pass through. Soundproofing works by absorbing the sound vibrations and thus preventing the waves from travelling. Sound needs to be absorbed by a medium to be blocked, so adding layers of insulation is the best way to reduce noise levels. Many layers of soundproofing may be needed depending on the frequencies of sound experience.
The method of soundproofing you use may vary depending on which surface you’re working on:
- Walls: Install multiple layers of dense materials like mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic foam, specialised soundproofing panels, or shipping container lining. These layers absorb and dampen sound vibrations.
- Ceiling and floor: Use similar materials to those used on the walls. Additionally, consider installing a floating floor system to further isolate sound.
- Doors and windows: Use weatherstripping, acoustic seals, and heavy curtains or soundproofing blinds to minimise sound leakage.
At S Jones Containers, we have worked with many customers to create soundproofed storage for industrial equipment. We can design and deliver a bespoke storage solution that complies with your local restrictions, offering peace of mind that your equipment won’t cause any disruption.
These modification designs can also deal with heat losses by introducing air conditioning or forced-air ventilation cooling in conjunction with “air splitter” or “sound attenuated louvre” technology. If you need a sound-attenuated storage solution, get in touch with our conversions team.
