Today’s Heat & Sound Control Products Keep Everything Comfy Cozy

This article originally appeared in the May 2026 issue of THE SHOP magazine.

When searching for add-on sales opportunities in vehicle projects big and small, it pays to be calm, cool and collected. Today’s heat and sound control products deliver component protection while creating a peaceful environment that allows drivers to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Available in a wide array of shapes and sizes, heat and sound control offerings include everything from the latest heat shields and engine component protectors to insulation barriers and material sheets that can be cut and fit to size. Attachment methods range from innovative adhesives to secure straps, inviting installer creativity while delivering solutions for those little annoyances that can become big headaches.

For shops new to heat and sound control, suppliers offer thoughts on market trends, sales strategies and hot new products designed to make everyone’s motoring experience a little bit more comfortable.

THE PROTECTORS

Longtime shop folks may remember when heat and sound control products weren’t much more than mildly modified house building products, often added to a car as somewhat of an afterthought. These days, however, this unique market features plenty of innovation and advancements.

“Just like a lot of things, the technology has advanced greatly,” says Steve Garrett, marketing director at Design Engineering Inc. “Materials have become more robust, reflective barriers have become lighter and more effective, and challenges to keep bigger motors and even electric vehicle battery systems cool and quiet takes a new level of innovation and product design.”

Tim McCarthy, founder/CEO of HushMat and ZyCoat, notes that heat and sound control solutions are now a primary category in the automotive aftermarket.

“Hot rod/street rod builders, upholsterers, car audio install centers and collision repair shops that install these materials as part of their bill of material of work set themselves apart,” he says. “Consumers get in these vehicles after installation and feel like the quality of their vehicle was improved. HushMat’s American-manufactured materials, proven in automotive OEM and aftermarket applications for over 37 years, add value to that consumer.””

As the category grows, the products become a vital part of many different projects.

“The market remains consistent,” says Jeremy White, general manager at Thermo-Tec Automotive Products. “Builders and customers alike want high-quality products that perform and are easy to use. When you can deliver that with competitive prices and products made in the USA, like Thermo-Tec’s, you have a winning formula.”

William Schwartz, digital engagement strategist for Heatshield Products Inc., calls heat and sound mitigation a “baseline necessity” these days.

“No matter the application, customers are always looking to bring down heat, noise and vibration. We get calls about this for everything from street performance builds to off-road and overland vehicles, where managing heat and sound has become a bigger part of the overall build process,” he notes. “For shops, this means more customers are more likely to come in with concerns about cabin heat, loud interiors or protecting components from high temperatures. With so many different options available, shops are also looking for solutions that are effective, lightweight and not overly intrusive to install to solve these problems quickly while adding value to the work they’re already doing.”

Over the years, the segment’s popularity had attracted a wider range of suppliers, requiring shops to do their homework to identify the quality brands they want to work with.

“There has been a large increase in inferior products throughout the space in the interest of cheap internet pricing,” says Scott Monnin, owner of Dynamat. Many newcomers, he adds, “have no experience with the true science of sound mitigation or thermal dynamics. The overall lack of technical expertise has really caused a lot of confusion in the market.”

MULTIPLE USES

Heat and sound control product installation often brings out the creative side of technicians, who are continually finding new uses for the materials.

“Builders and car enthusiasts alike have gotten extremely knowledgeable about what our products do, but they often overlook the performance increases that can be associated with doing things like wrapping your headers or using a heat-shielding material on their intake,” says White. “You’re not only looking to protect components from heat, but make your ride perform to its maximum potential.”

There are many components on a vehicle that need protecting, says Pat Hill, owner of D&H Heat Technology, dba Koolmat Insulation.

“Plastic products need insulation to keep from melting,” she notes.

Sometimes, it’s about things working better more than just cooler or quieter.

“An often-overlooked use of heat management components is increasing the efficiency of systems onboard a vehicle,” says Schwartz. “For example, from a performance perspective, insulating exhaust heat not only protects surrounding components but also increases the performance of the vehicle. The hotter the pipe, the better the flow, but that heat can damage nearby parts. When a shop installs exhaust insulation or turbo shields, it helps keep that heat inside the exhaust where it improves flow, while also protecting surrounding components.”

He’s also seen an increased presence of heat and sound control products in custom overland and camping builds, such as Sprinter vans or other off-road projects with added electrical systems and accessories.

“Many of these vehicles have onboard fridges, battery systems and other components that benefit from additional insulation and heat protection,” Schwartz continues. “Helping to manage the heat around these systems can improve efficiency and reliability, especially for vehicles being used on long trips or in harsh environments.”

The “feel good” factor these products bring is a very real thing, Monnin believes.

“Shops sometimes overlook the value sound and thermal products add to the overall feel and performance of the vehicle,” he explains. “Whether it is a restoration or a sound package, treating the vehicle (with these components) provides a finished product that customers will not find by shopping on the internet. We are always working with dealers to help them build a better relationship with their customers.”

The versatility of today’s heat and sound control products create new upsell opportunities.

“A lot of heat management is focused on headers and turbo heat, but fuel rails, injectors and fuel lines are extremely vulnerable to heat soak,” Garrett observes. “Protective line sleeving and abrasion protection for fuel and fluid lines (fuel, brake, transmission) can be critical to performance and stable fluid delivery. Protection for fluid hoses prevents vapor lock and helps keep fluid pressures stable.”

In many cases, these solutions work best in areas customers don’t always see.

“Many shops overlook the underside of the transmission tunnel or under the floor pan directly above the exhaust as primary treatment areas,” says McCarthy. “Excessive heat transfers through these areas and enters the vehicle interior. We designed our hoodliner material to treat these high-heat and highly exposed areas.”

CALM & COOL

If there’s one thing that unities drivers of all types of customs, classics and specialty vehicles, it’s that they want to be cool.

“The key is bringing awareness to just how much of a problem heat can be,” says Schwartz from Heatshield Products. “It’s usually not a situation of if something might break but when, unless the proper steps are taken to protect components that are exposed to damaging levels of heat.”

Heat damage is often a silent problem that customers don’t think of until something fails, he adds.

“When shops take the time to point out these potential issues and recommend installing heat shielding, it helps prevent future headaches that will likely cost far more than the heat protection itself,” says Schwartz. “It also helps shops protect the work they’ve already done by keeping wiring, hoses, electronics and nearby components from being damaged by excessive heat, while also giving the engine bay or build a cleaner, more finished look. This helps avoid downtime from repairs and, in some cases, being stranded when something heat-related fails unexpectedly, since the damage often isn’t visible until the problem has already occurred.”

Drivers will appreciate this next-level commitment to quality.

“Adding heat and sound control products to builds, modifications or sound packages is a great way to create a better relationship with their customers,” says Dynamat’s Monnin. “It shows thought leadership, it reflects experience and it is a detail to discuss that shows you have a solid understanding of all aspects of the project.”

A knowledgeable staff and installation team is the first step toward making heat and sound control a vital part of each project, notes McCarthy. Suppliers such as HushMat are available for educational sessions or to answer product questions.

“Spend time educating your sales team on these products,” he recommends. “Take an hour and focus on one product and do a review prior to the shop opening. This is especially critical to do as a refresher for new salespeople or if you experience a declining trend of attachment of these materials.”

If customers are hesitant, explain how heat solutions can extend the life of their favorite ride.

“Sell the important point of component and vehicle longevity,” says Garrett from Design Engineering. “The better a vehicle and its systems are protected from heat, typically the longer they last, and the more money a customer can save in the long run by not having to make preventable expensive repairs. With vehicles staying on the road longer than ever, small improvements in heat and sound protection can pay off greatly in the long run. And because most heat management products are a low price point for the customer, products can be an easy addition for increased sales.”

Koolmat’s Hill offers just a partial list of products and uses shops may want to consider, including exhaust heat shields for performance and RV applications, foil heat blockers for underneath transmissions, high-heat composites for floorboards that fit underneath the carpet, and high-temp fiberglass sleeves that protect wires and spark plug boots.

Overall, heat and sound control products deliver an enticing return on investment, concludes Thermo-Tec’s White.

“Our products aren’t the most noticeable parts, like a new set of wheels or any of the countless aftermarket accessories you can install, but they are keeping things like your starter from getting cooked or preventing vapor lock and stranding you on the side of the road.”

HEAT & SOUND CONTROL PRODUCTS

HOT PRODUCT: Adapt-A-Shield XT
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Lightweight, flexible, formable heat shield that can be easily wrapped around sensors, lines, hoses and components; versatile and reuseable; conforms to odd shapes; offers high heat capacity; made with aluminum with a poly-glass cloth backing.
Design Engineering Inc. (DEI)
Steve Garrett
Marketing Director

HOT PRODUCT: Dynamat Xtreme
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Top-performing automotive aftermarket sound deadener; American made and owned; backed by science developed over 37 years.
Dynamat LLC
Scott Monnin
Owner

HOT PRODUCT: Muffler Armor
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Reduces radiant heat from the muffler and lowers interior temperatures; easy add-on during exhaust work without major modifications; wraps directly around the muffler and secures with stainless steel locking ties; fourth generation, family-owned business.
Heatshield Products
William Schwartz
Digital Engagement Strategist

HOT PRODUCT: Tri-Fusion
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Provides sound deadening, thermal insulation and sound absorption performance all in one 4-square-foot sheet; offers HushMat Ultra Sound deadening and Silencer 1/4-inch sound-absorbing and insulating foam all in one product.
HushMat
Tim McCarthy
Founder/CEO

HOT PRODUCT: Heatmaster Exhaust Shield
FEATURES & BENEFITS: A high-temperature exhaust shield made of 0.003 stainless steel with 2,500-degree ceramic cotton insulation sandwiched inside to stop heat and prevent burns; can be made in any size; grommets allow attachment with stainless tie straps or stainless wire.
Koolmat Insulation
Pat Hill
Owner

HOT PRODUCT: Adhesive-Backed Heat Barrier
FEATURES & BENEFITS: Installer friendly; peel-and-stick backing makes applications quick and easy; durable makeup helps the product stand the test of time; can be used in all areas of the underbody to shield panels and parts from damaging heat.
Thermo-Tec Automotive Products
Jeremy White
General Manager