soundproofing foam

How to Soundproof a Door

How to Soundproof a Door

 

If you plan to soundproof a room or two in your home, don’t forget to noise-proof a door. That’s where the bulk of the sound leaks out, so soundproofing the door is particularly critical. Below, we’ll discuss some benefits of soundproofing a door and offer some helpful tips on how to do it.

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Ways to Soundproof a Door

Complete door soundproofing requires extensive alterations to the existing door frame and labor-intensive construction. The weight of the door and its assembly can range from 300 to 500 pounds. Investing in a solid-core door or an acoustically rated door is also prohibitively expensive for many budgets.

So how do you soundproof a door? Below are some cost-effective, alternative methods to soundproof a door that will save you time, money and energy.



How to Soundproof Your Interior Door

To soundproof a door, you’ll first want to examine where and how the sound is getting into the room. Then you’ll choose the best method of blocking noise — this will be determined by your budget, home improvement experience, and the source of your problem. To solve your problem, try some of these methods for soundproofing your door.

1. Add Soundproofing Rubber to the Perimeter of the Door

This soundproofing method will be your go-to if extra space around your door is an issue, and you’re just getting your feet wet in the home improvement world. Soundproofing rubber is typically a dense form of neoprene, and you can use it to soundproof the perimeter of your door.

  1. If your door already has molding around it, you’ll need to pry it off.

  2. Then, add the soundproofing rubber around the door’s edges.

  3. Add acoustical caulk or an insulating sealant to fill in small gaps and cracks to add even more sound protection. If you’re wondering where the cracks are, turn off the lights in the room and see where light comes in from outside.

2. Add Weatherstripping to Your Door

If you’re putting up soundproofing rubber, you’ll also want to fill in the gaps between the door and the doorframe. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use weatherstripping, commonly used to insulate doors and windows from the elements. Basic weatherstripping tends to degrade over time, but you can buy higher-quality varieties for long-term soundproofing. When you use weatherstripping around your door, remember to apply enough pressure. The pressure is what allows an airtight soundproof door seal to form and impede sound waves.

3. Add a Door Gasket

Door gaskets are a bit more expensive,  so this is the method you’ll want to use if you want a step up in quality from weatherstripping. Like weatherstripping, a door gasket helps fill in the gaps between the door and the door frame. Door gaskets attach permanently to the sides and top of the door jamb to provide a quality, long-lasting seal. Like soundproofing rubber, they often consist of high-quality neoprene. You can even purchase adjustable door gaskets — since doors sometimes warp or are otherwise not perfectly square, being able to adjust your gasket to get the best fit is a helpful feature.

add a door gasket for door soundproofing

4. Add a Door Sweep Underneath The Door

This step is crucial for closing the sizable gap that exists at the bottom of many doors. You can add all the gaskets and paneling you want to your door, but if there’s a gap at the bottom, enormous amounts of sound will still leak through. To prevent this from happening, install a door sweep on the bottom of the door to close the door gap and impede sound waves. Soundproof door sweeps take some work to install — you’ll need a drill and screws — but the immense improvement in soundproofing is often worth it.

5. Add an Automatic Door Sweep

You can even install an automatic door sweep. This kind of door sweep has a concealed flat-spring mechanism to control the sweep’s movement. The sweep stays above the level of the floor while the door is open, but drops down when the door is closed to form a tight, soundproof seal with the floor.

6. Use Acoustic Panels on the Door

If adding many soundproofing elements to your door seems like too much work, try adding an acoustic door panel. These panels offer a step up from gluing a sheet of plywood to your door, but they’re not generally as expensive as high-end solutions like fiberglass soundproofing blankets. They come in a range of materials, from the most popular — foam — to solid wood. They reduce the amplitude of the sound waves that pass through them, effectively soundproofing your door. You can nail them to the door, or to avoid damaging the door, you can use adhesive strips.

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How to Soundproof an Exterior Door

Sound can enter your space in several ways, but exterior doors are one of the most common sources of unwanted noise. Choosing a door made from a solid, dense material increases its overall mass and keeps the inside quiet. Sound will have a much harder time traveling through a solid material than a hollow door.

Similarly, even if your exterior door is made out of a solid material, gaps or cracks around it can have an impact on how much sound is able to enter and exit through your door and infiltrate your space. Ensuring your door fits snugly and sealing extra space is essential for keeping as much noise out as possible.

Luckily, it’s easy to make sure your door is securely and properly sealed, and if you see extra space, you can address it using a few products. Check out three practical and fast ways you can soundproof your exterior door:

  • Install soundproof weatherstripping: To help minimize the areas where sounds can enter your residential or commercial space, you can install some soundproof weatherstripping or door perimeter seals. Pay special attention to any gaps around the door frame and its edges. Make sure the weatherstripping is cut to your door’s dimensions and applied using enough pressure to keep it in place and create a soundproof seal.
  • Use soundproof foam: Similar to weatherstripping, soundproof foam offers a simple, effective way to seal gaps and cracks around your exterior door. The foam works by expanding inside those spaces, preventing noise from escaping and making its way inside your home.
  • Install acoustic curtains: Another quick and simple way to reduce unwanted sound is installing acoustic door curtains. By providing a barrier against the outdoors and indoors, you’ll be able to absorb some of the sounds and block them from making their way inside.

How to Soundproof a Metal Door

Metal doors present a logistical challenge because it’s harder to drill through them. To soundproof a metal door, try these tips.

1. Add Door Thresholds

Door thresholds consist of neoprene with rubber protrusions that help fill in gaps at the bottom of the closed door. Unlike door sweeps, thresholds attach to the floor of the doorway rather than to the bottom of the door. If you have a carpeted floor, having a threshold at the bottom of the doorway is crucial, because even the best door sweep will not perfectly seal the door with carpet. Some thresholds are flat, whereas others extend upward to form a double seal with a door sweep for a closed door.

2. Use a Soundproof Blanket

Though they can be costly, soundproof blankets, which are typically fiberglass, absorb sound very well and are easy to install. Put some suction hooks on the back of your door and hang the soundproof blanket on them. If you’re not necessarily looking for a permanent solution, soundproof blankets also work well because you can hang them when you need them and take them down when you don’t.

3. Use Acoustic or Mass-loaded Vinyl Panels

Vinyl is easy to use and install. You can buy a sheet of vinyl and cut it to the size of your door. To attach it, use adhesive strips. Mass-loaded vinyl panels don’t always enhance the aesthetic appeal of your door, but they are helpful in situations where utility is key.

Why Soundproofing a Door Is Important

Doors often contribute the most to noise issues, making them an essential element in any acoustical treatment.

The largest gap in a wall — and weakest link for soundproofing — is a doorway. Often, the space around the door leaks noise. And the space at the bottom of the door is often a much larger gap than the space around the sides, so it allows even more sound to leak through. Adding to the issue is that most interior doors have a hollow core. While this makes them more cost-effective, it causes more noise problems. Even the mechanism of the doorknob can admit some sounds.

Soundproofing your door helps address all these issues.

Soundproofing a door also provides a helpful ancillary benefit: temperature insulation. Many of the tools and materials used for soundproofing also provide insulation from extreme temperatures. So your newly soundproofed room will likely also cost much less to heat and cool.

Soundproofing your door can also help improve the air quality, humidity and comfort in your soundproofed room. Insulating the door helps keep out pollutants and moisture to keep the room comfortable to work or relax in.

Why soundproofing a door is important

A soundproof door is essential in several situations.

  • You work from home: If you work remotely and need to concentrate, especially when you have a tight deadline, a soundproof door can be a lifesaver. If your work involves sound recordings or creating videos, a soundproof door is almost essential. But barking dogs, yelling neighbors, honking traffic, crying children — and, yes, even mooing cows — are all distractions that can get in the way of your work. A soundproof door helps you shut out the outside world and focus on what you need to do. Studies have shown that when a workplace removes conversational distractions — the noise of human speech — productivity increases by 48%, and stress symptoms decline by 27%.
  • You have noisy neighbors: Nothing puts a damper on an otherwise ideal living setup like noisy neighbors. If you can hear your neighbors yelling, playing instruments or blasting their music at all hours, a soundproof door is a fantastic way to help give yourself some much-needed quiet.
  • You are the noisy neighbor: If you play an instrument, blast your music, use your TV at top volume or have to use sound features when you work from home, consider soundproofing your door. That way, the neighbors can enjoy peace while you work, rehearse or have fun.

Products From Soundproof Cow to Soundproof Your Door

Soundproof Cow offers an array of soundproofing products for you to choose from when you need to soundproof a door.

Seals and Sweeps

Consider the following variety of seals and sweeps for quality door soundproofing.

  • Quiet DoorTM Perimeter Seal: The Quiet DoorTM Perimeter Seal fits tightly around a door to keep unwanted sounds from leaking in or out. Its long-lasting aluminum and silicone allow for effective noise reduction. It is versatile enough for use with all kinds of doors — new or old, metal or wooden — and it is easy to install with just a few basic tools.
  • Quiet DoorTM Adjustable Perimeter Seal: The Quiet DoorTM Adjustable Perimeter Seal offers all the benefits of the Quiet DoorTM Perimeter Seal, plus added adjustability. It features several screws that allow you to push the seal out farther from the frame, so you can get the perfect fit. If the seal wears down, you can push it out again to make the fit as good as new.
  • Quiet DoorTM Door Sweep: The Quiet DoorTM Door Sweep forms a tight, secure seal at the bottom of the door to ensure there’s no gap where sound can sneak through. These door sweeps can fit old, new, wooden or metal doors, they are easy to install, and they are durable enough to withstand years of use.Quiet Door™ Door Sweep for Door Soundproofing
  • Quiet DoorTM Automatic Door Sweep: The Quiet DoorTM Automatic Door Sweep offers the benefits of the Quiet DoorTM Door Sweep and adds the convenience of an automatic feature. The door sweep automatically rises when you open the door and lowers when you close it, eliminating drag on the floor and providing an even more snug, secure seal.

Acoustic Panels

Soundproof Cow also offers an extensive catalog of acoustic panels.

  • Art acoustic panels: Though some acoustic materials can look unsightly, ours are works of art. Our art acoustic panels are fully customizable, so you can send us an image and we’ll transform it into a beautiful panel that both looks great and helps reduce noise.
  • Fabric-wrapped acoustic panels: Our Udderly QuietTM Acoustic Panels are also pretty enough for decor, while functional enough to help soundproof your doors and walls. The fabric helps absorb sound waves to keep your space consistently quiet. You can choose from a variety of fabric designs or upload your favorite image if you’d prefer to personalize.
  • Perforated acoustic wood panels: Our perforated acoustic wood panels have minuscule dents in them to help control, redirect and absorb sound waves. They are perfect for rooms where speakers or instruments will project sound, and they are elegant and artsy enough to blend in with even the most upscale decor.

Soundproof Door Kits

For maximum convenience, Soundproof Cow offers a couple of all-in-one door kits as well.

  • Quiet DoorTM Commercial Soundproofing Kit: Why not get a variety of soundproofing tools in one convenient kit? The Quiet DoorTM Commercial Soundproofing Kit is perfect for commercial applications where you need to keep sound in. Maybe you have a welding shop, for instance, and want to prevent too much noise from escaping to the outside world. This kit comes with a sheet of Quiet BarrierTM LD Soundproofing Composite, a Quiet DoorTM Adjustable Perimeter Seal, a Quiet DoorTM Automatic Door Sweep and a tube of acoustical sound sealant, so you can do just that.
  • Quiet DoorTM Residential Door Soundproofing Kit: Like the commercial soundproofing kit, the QuietDoorTM Residential Soundproofing Kit provides a variety of soundproofing tools in one convenient package. This kit includes a Quiet DoorTM Adjustable Perimeter Seal, a Quiet DoorTM Automatic Door Sweep and a tube of acoustical sound sealant, so you have all the tools you need for soundproofing any door in your home.

Caulking

Soundproof Cow offers a type of caulking that we think stands out from the rest: the OSI Pro-Series SC-175 Acoustical Sound Sealant, available in one tube or a case of 12. This acoustical sealant is a water-based sealant specifically designed to inhibit the transmission of sound waves. It won’t crack, separate or harden over time, and it bonds securely to many materials, from metal to wood to drywall.

Contact Soundproof Cow for All Your Soundproofing Needs

Acoustics can be complicated. But finding the right products to soundproof your home or business shouldn’t be. At Soundproof Cow, we want to make sure you find what you need to get the job done, no matter how big or small. We can help you noise-proof a door or a whole building. Our customers always come first, and you can consistently depend on our products.

Contact us today to learn moooo-re!

Contact Soundproof Cow for Your Door Soundproofing Needs

 

Door Soundproofing Kits

Door Soundproofing Products

  • Soundproofing_ QBHD_Composite_Install

    Quiet Barrier™ HD Soundproofing Composite

    $349.99Shop Now
  • composite install

    Quiet Barrier™ HD Soundproofing Composite (w/PSA)

    $434.99Shop Now
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    Quiet Barrier™ LD Soundproofing Composite

    $229.99Shop Now
  • Soundproofing_QBLD_Composite_close_up_175

    Quiet Barrier™ LD Soundproofing Composite (w/PSA)

    $279.99Shop Now
  • Soundproofing_QBMD_Composite_close_up_175

    Quiet Barrier™ MD Soundproofing Composite

    $265.99Shop Now
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    Quiet Barrier™ MD Soundproofing Composite (w/PSA)

    $325.99Shop Now
  • Acoustic Door Panel - Quiet Doorâ„¢

    Quiet Door™ Acoustic Panel

    $377.87Shop Now
  • door soundproofing adjustable seal

    Quiet Door™ Adjustable Perimeter Seal

    $414.99Shop Now
  • door soundproofing auto sweep

    Quiet Door™ Automatic Door Sweep

    $142.99Shop Now
  • door soundproofing sweep

    Quiet Door™ Door Sweep

    $39.99Shop Now
  • door soundproofing perimeter seal

    Quiet Door™ Perimeter Seal

    $276.99Shop Now

High Quality Seals and Door Sweeps - Adding high quality seals around the door frame and installing an automatic or static door sweep can greatly reduce the transmission of sound in a doorway.

Adding high quality seals around the door frame and installing an automatic or static door sweep can greatly reduce the transmission of sound in a doorway.

We recommend Quiet Door™ Adjustable Perimeter Seals, which reduce sound transfer by forming a tight fit around the perimeter of a door. These seals can be used on both wood and metal doors.

Made of heavy duty aluminum framing and long-lasting silicone seals, Quiet Door™ Adjustable Perimeter Seals include all stainless steel hardware needed for install. Not only are they long-lasting, they are also adjustable. As the sealing material shifts from age or temperature changes, a quick turn of a screwdriver is all it takes to re-establish the seal.

Our most popular door sweep product is Quiet Door™ Automatic Door Sweep. It works by forming a tight fit against the threshold of a door, automatically re-sealing each time the door is shut. This product can also be installed on both wood and metal doors to soundproof your door. Because it uses silicone, Quiet Door™ Automatic Door Sweep is long-lasting, durable and resistant.

Acoustic Panels for Doors - Another way to effectively soundproof a door is by using an acoustic panel.

Another way to effectively soundproof a door is by using an acoustic panel. We feature Quiet Door® Acoustic Panelsmade from our best soundproofing materials. This two-part composite includes a sound deadening, visco-elastic polymer with an attractive, fabric-wrapped, high-density door covering.

Door Kits - We also offer complete door kits for residential, commercial and industrial soundproofing needs.

We also offer complete door kits for residential, commercial and industrial soundproofing needs. They include all the products you’ll need to soundproof your door. For details, see Quiet Door™ Residential Door Soundproofing Kit, Quiet Door™ Commercial Door Soundproofing Kit, or Quiet Door™ Industrial Door Soundproofing Kit.

Caulking - Any door soundproofing project can be improved by caulking around the door trim with an acoustic sealant.

Any door soundproofing project can be improved by caulking around the door trim with an acoustic sealant. We recommend OSI® Pro-Series® SC-175™ Acoustical Sound Sealant.

I just wanted to send a quick thank you for your rapid response and helpfulness. I very much appreciated it. You have been responsive in every way all through the process. It has been a pleasure doing business with you and your company.

- T. Alexander

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