Are you facing a noise problem due to your noisy generator? Do you want to reduce its irritating noise? Then you have to build a soundproof box for your generator.
That will suppress most of the noise inside the quiet box. So the noise naturally comes down.
Although inverter generators stand for their lower noise level, is it really quiet? I don’t think so, I also have a No products found. but it is so not quiet.
That’s why I have to build a quiet box for my generator.
Have you seen YouTube videos regarding building a soundproof box for a generator? If yes, is anyone in the YouTube video use any extra acoustic material in their quiet box.
No!, then you need to read this article because I have taken advice from an engineer. He told me to use some extra acoustic material in the quiet box to make it more effective.
Guess what! I do the same and now around 70 to 80% of noise went down than the original. If you want to know about those materials then scroll down below.
But first I suggest you understand some important instructions to make your generator box as much as quiet.
Table of Contents
7 Instructions Before Making A Soundproof Box For Generator
Making a soundproof box for the generator is not difficult to work to do. But you need to follow these 7 instructions for making it more effective.
- Make sure to build a box that can easily assemble and disassemble for better storage.
- It must be capable of absorbing at least 50 to 60% of noise. Otherwise, it is not worth your investment.
- It must be airtight from all the areas so the noise can’t come out.
- Make sure to leave a hole or air intake for cooling. Otherwise, its parts will break down.
- The soundproof box must be waterproof also so you can use it while raining.
- It must be modular also so you can easily transport it to any place.
- You have to consider the size, materials, and insulating materials for your quiet box.
Let’s jump on which materials you need to make your soundproof generator box? It’s going to be very interesting.
Materials Sound Be Needed For Building Soundproof Box
These are some of the important materials that should be needed while building your soundproof generator box. If you already have one of these then just skip it.
- Mass loaded vinyl (MLV)
- Sound absorbing board
- Pencil and paper
- Measuring tape
- Acoustic panels
- Insulation wool
- Soundproof paint
- Screws
- Green glue
- Caulk
- Ventilation duct
Now, you have understood about important materials. Then let’s jump on how you can build it?
How To Build Soundproof Box For Generator: Step By Step Process
This is a simple process to make this enclosure for your generator but many people don’t want to do it. They just purchase a ready-made soundproof box even at a high cost.
Also, those boxes are not much effective to block the noise. If you have a single day and few tools then you can finish this project.
First, you need to watch the video and then secondly follow the below steps.
#1: Take The Measurements: Good For Perfect Quiet Box For Generator
As you know generators come in many shapes and sizes. That’s why every soundproof box also should be a different size.
This is the first and very important step where you need to take measurements of some of the important things that should be needed while cutting.
First, you need to measure the whole area of your generator, then on behalf of this measurement, you have to consider the size of the sound-absorbing board.
You can use a Measuring tape for this work but don’t forget to note down all of the measurements.
Because this will help you in the next step. Keep in mind for proper ventilation and flexibility you need to leave a few inches of a gap inside the quiet box. Also, this will reduce the risk of cutting.
Also, You can use this quiet box for other appliances such as compressor, water pump, and pool pump.
#2: Cut Down The Materials: Help You To Build Soundproof Box For Generator
Now, this is the time to cut down all the materials that you will be going to use. First, according to the earlier measurements, you need to cut down the Sound absorbing board.
Don’t forget to give labels to all the boards this will prevent you from confusion. 2×2 and 2×4 are the normal size of a frame.
If you think this is the perfect size in which your generator fits perfectly. Then you can also build the face upon this measurement.
You need to cut 12 pieces of sound-absorbing board. You need to make 3 layers in your box.
The first one is outside, the second one is the middle, the last one is the inside as well. Make sure to leave some gaps in the middle section for insulating materials.
What is the sound-absorbing board?
Sound absorbing board or medium-density fiberboard is the same thing. MDF is different from normal plywood because it is more dense and flexible.
It is made with different materials such as fiber, plywood, wax, a resin binder, and so on. This will increase the strength and flexibility as well.
That’s why it is more efficient to block the noise and many people use it.
#3: Leave Some Holes For Ventilation: For Quiet Generator Box
After completing the cutting process now you need to mark down 2 holes on the MDF. These holes work as ventilation and maintain the airflow in the quiet box.
The first hole should be placed on the roof of the box but make sure to place it closer to one side. The second ventilation hole should be placed on the sidewall of the quiet box but it is better to place it on the opposite side of the roof hole.
These ventilation holes also help you to hold the box perfectly. A generator is a natural heating source that produces heat as usual.
If you don’t give any place heat to come out then It will definitely affect the quiet box and your generator as well. Keep in mind, ventilation holes are part of the cooling process.
#4: Use Glue On The Inner Layer: Absorb Vibration Noise
This is another sound damping product so after making holes, now you need to use glue on the inner surface of your quiet generator box.
The glue will help you to complete the next step easily. For this work I suggest you to use Green glue because it is more effective to make your generator box quieter.
What is Green glue?
Green glue is made with non-hazardous and environment-friendly compounds. That makes its structure absorb sound waves effectively through any source such as walls, roof, floors, and so on.
This is very easy to use than the regular glue and works 50% effectively. This will help you to absorb all the vibration coming out from your generator.
#5: Add Mass Loaded Vinyl On the Inner Layer: Create Sound Barrier
Insulation is the key to this quiet box because some sort of plywood sheets can’t reduce the noise level. So after applying Green glue on the inner surface.
Now, you need to stick Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) on the green glue. Still confused, let me clarify. While completing the inner area of your quiet box you have to follow 2 steps.
- In the first step, you need to apply Green glue on the inner surface.
- Then in the second step, you need to stick MLV on the green glue.
Green glue absorbs all the vibrations and mass loaded vinyl to create a sound barrier to block the noise.
What is mass loaded vinyl?
Mass loaded vinyl (MLV) is a sound barrier that blocks all the unwanted noise. This is a mixture of 2 major materials, the first one is vinyl that gives flexibility.
The second one is barium sulfate that gives sufficient density. That’s why mass loaded vinyl is recommended to use in every soundproofing material.
#6: Use Wool Insulation In Middle Layer: To Reduce The Noise Level
You have successfully installed MLV in your quiet box, now is time to insulate your generator box with wool insulation. I know what you are thinking.
Why am I using wool insulation instead of acoustic panels? Acoustic panels are very hard to fit into the middle section that’s why. If you can fit those Acoustic panels then use them but stock up them properly.
If you can’t use them then you can also use wool insulation. Wool also works well and creates a barrier that absorbs excess heat and noise as well.
I suggest you to use natural Insulation wool by Fost king. They are providing 48 inches long multipurpose insulation noise dampening material.
#7: Assemble Your Box All Together: To Make Generator Quiet Box
Now your silent box is ready, it’s time to assemble it all together. Carefully attach them all by using screws.
If in the future you want to modify this generator quiet box or you need to disassemble it due to space issues. Then first attach all the walls and lastly put the roof and screw it carefully so that It can be easily disassembled if needed.
Do not forget to install some hinges so that you can easily access your generator.
This will also work great when you need to start your generator or inverter generator. Moreover, floors are optional to use but in one condition if you are going to use them on a flat surface then you can remove the floor.
This will drastically decrease the weight of the box and you can simply lift it and set it on the top of the generator. But you need to install a handle on the top to grab and lift it.
#8: Use Caulking On Edges: To Block The Noise
Now, your box is about to ready; you need to complete 3 more steps, that’s all. In this step, you need to use caulk to seal all the edges for better soundproofing.
As you know caulk is the best soundproofing material that comes in many varieties. You can use any of them such as Latex, silicone, polyurethane, butyl rubber, and so on.
All works best but in my case, I have used silicone-based caulk because I think silicone sticks perfectly on the fiberboard surface.
Also, silicone has many better properties such as waterproof, can expand with temperature changes, and vibrations absorption. I think this will definitely help you.
#9: Install The Ventilation Duct
As I have explained earlier ventilation is very important because this will maintain the airflow inside the compartment. This airflow will prevent your generator to overheat.
Even if you provided a nice airflow but if your generator is still overheating then you need to use a ventilation duct.
The Ventilation duct will work on 2 major things first it will improve the air quantity in the box.
Second, its wrinkles caught lots of noise. For this, you need to place the hose into the ventilation holes that I have explained in the 3rd step. Make sure to place it tight and then add a little bit more vent right above those openings.
#10: Color Your Box With Soundproof Paint
This is the last and very important step. Many people think that they don’t need to use any insulation on the outer side but this is a total myth.
You have soundproofed your box from inside and middle so why not outside. Do you think a regular spray paint works well? I don’t think so.
I have used soundproof paint that’s why I added this step into this article. If you want your generator box as quiet as possible then you have to use soundproof paint.
Soundproof paint blocks the noise and absorbs vibrations. That will definitely play a very important part in the making of unwanted noise. After using soundproof paint now you completed your soundproof box for the generator.
So this is the full procedure to make a homemade generator enclosure. Now, let’s jump on some quick tips that will make your generator as much as quiet.
5 Tips How You Can Make Your Generator Quiet As A Cricket
These are some of the 5 important tips that you need to keep in your mind while building a soundproof box for a generator.
- Don’t purchase any heavy power generator if you don’t need it. Because the more powerful a generator, the more noise it produces.
- Make sure to point the exhaust pipe on the opposite side of your location. This will help you to dissipate the noise.
- If possible then put your generator away from you at least 20 feet. For this, you need to invest in a long high-quality cord.
- Hard surface definitely increases the vibration level and noise as well. So if you have any soft surface then put your generator on it.
- Use this enclosure with your generator to reduce all the unwanted noise.
This does not end if you want to know how you can reduce the noise of your generator without using a quiet box then I have already written on this topic you can check it out.
Wrap Up On How To Build Soundproof Box For Generator
In conclusion, now you are ready to build your homemade generator enclosure. What you need just follow all the steps that I have provided above and make sure to keep in mind all the instructions.
Moreover, Still, you are facing a noise problem then this is the alarm to change your old generator with the latest and quiet inverter generator.
Luckily, I have already prepared a list of the 10 best quiet inverter generators so you can check it out.
Do you know building a soundproof box for a generator costs you less instead of purchasing a professionally made quiet box?
Yes, this is right and you can make it more effective than any professional made soundproof box. But I don’t know why most people are not trying to make this box.
This is a very simple and easy process if you are facing a problem then watch the video I have already provided above.
FAQ: How To Build A Soundproof Box For Generator
These are some of the questions that most people are asking about the quiet generator box. I think you will also find yours. If you have any questions that I haven’t used then comment I will definitely add that question.
Q1. Will a generator overheat in a box?
Ans: Yes, It can be if you don’t leave any ventilation hole or duct into the box. I have already said that ventilation is very important. Because it will maintain airflow in the compartment and airflow makes the generator cool.
Q2. How do you protect a portable generator from rain?
Ans: This is very simple, just put this soundproof box onto your portable generator. Then it will protect your generator from rain and also protect you from irritating noise as well.
Literally, after using this you will feel a big change in the noise level.
Q3. How do I make a small soundproof box?
Ans: This depends on your generator but I suggest if you are planning to purchase a generator. Then go with an inverter generator because they are usually very small, lightweight, and lower noise level than the regular one.
You will definitely feel very comfortable after using it.
Thanks for reading if you find our article useful and what is your first impression after using this quiet box. Then let me know in the comment section.
