Doorways are one of the most common ways noise can enter your room or house. I needed to figure out how to soundproof a doorway so did some research and this article is the culmination of what I found.
Here are some effective and tips on how to soundproof a doorway:
- Install a solid core door
- Add drywall to your hollow core door
- Reinforce your door with a soundproof blanket
- Install soundproof panels
- Attach mass loaded vinyl to your door
- Place an area rug in front and behind the doorway
- Put up bookshelves
- Install a traditional door sweep
- Install an automatic door bottom
- Caulk gaps
- Apply weather stripping
- Install door gaskets
- Apply sound absorbing paint to your door
Once I made my doorways soundproof using the tips mentioned in the list above, I noticed that the rest of my home became MUCH quieter. Fortunately, there are a number of different actions you can take to reduce the noise penetrating your doorway.
Take some time to read through my 14 easy ways to soundproof your door. Implementing one or even two of these tips can drastically reduce the sound entering your room.
#1 Install A Solid-Core Door
Like I mentioned before, the majority of homes use hollow-core doors. This is one of the leading problems as to why you are experiencing so much sound entering your room. The easy fix is to buy a solid-core door. You can purchase one of these at your local Lowe’s or Home Depot. These doors are easy to install if you are a handyman or have done some research. However, if you are lazy and do not know what you are doing, I suggest using a professional to install it.
This is definitely one of the more expensive options but you should notice a drastic improvement in the sound reduction. Since your door is hollow, it will amplify the sound from outside. Installing a solid-core door will absorb and dampen the noise. These types of doors are heavy and thick, which are perfect for soundproofing.
#2 Add Drywall To Your Hollow-Core Door
If you do not have the funds to buy a new solid-core door, you can try improving the mass of your original hollow-core door by attaching drywall. First record the measurements of your door’s length and height. Purchase some drywall from Home Depot or Lowes that closely match the measurements of your hollow-core door. Make cuts on the drywall accordingly so it is the same size as your door. Now all you need to do is attach to the front or back (or both) with screws. I know it won’t be the most aesthetically pleasing thing to look at, but the added thickness will dampen sound entering your room.
#3 Reinforce Your Door With A Soundproof Blanket
Instead of using drywall, you can also use a soundproof fiberglass blanket to help absorb sound coming in from outside of your door. This blanket is very thick and heavy, which makes it ideal for dampening noise. It is definitely not pretty to look at, therefore it may be best to use it in your laundry room, utility room, or bathroom that your guests won’t be using. My suggestion is to install these durable hooks to hang the blanket when necessary. This way you can take the blanket down if you have guests visiting. Now you have ultimate control and flexibility over when you want to use the blanket. Just make sure you have a place to store it when not using!
#4 Install Soundproof Panels
Does a fiberglass blanket not fit your budget? Try installing soundproof panels on your door or near the doorway. These acoustic foam panels do a great job of dampening sound. If you do not know how to hang these up, read my beginner’s guide on buying and installing acoustic panels correctly in your room.
#5 Reinforce With Mass Loaded Vinyl
Here is another way to reinforce your door with soundproof material. Attach some mass loaded vinyl to your door. Cut thick sheets to match the size of your door and attach with staples or this Loctite PL Polyurethane construction adhesive. You may need to double up on layers. Mass loaded vinyl does a great job of reducing sound but it is fairly expensive.
#6 Buy Area Rugs
This tip is simple. If your home has a lot of hard surface floors, buy some thick, plush rugs and position them near your doorway. Sound absorbing area rugs will reduce the noise created by your doorways, hallways, or other rooms instead of allowing it to bounce under or through your door. You can even place area rugs throughout your home where there is a lot of echoes like I did. I’d suggest the kitchen, living room, and hallway if you do not already have rugs in those rooms. You can also put one in your room to help deaden the noise immediately when it enters. Check out my area rug. Since I have terrazzo flooring, noise gets amplified greatly. Therefore, I put down the thick area rug you see in the photo to help reduce echo and reverb. Doing whatever you can to absorb sound will help with the overall soundproofing of your home.
#7 Put Up Bookshelves
Here is a cool and innovative tip that will make your room look more intellectual. Buy some bookshelves or organization cabinets and place them near your doorway. Having these shelves to hold books and other decorations will absorb sound before it enters your room. You can even place these on the inside of your room to help deaden the sound.
#8 Install Soundproof Curtains
Normally curtains are used for the window but you can also install them near your door to dampen sound. I have posted an article that discusses whether or not soundproof curtains actually work so make sure to read that if you are hesitant about using them.
The Nicetown Soundproof Curtains are very thick, heavy and long so these do a great job of dampening noise. Simply install a curtain rod above your doorway and then drape these curtains over your door. You can close them when you need peace and quiet. I know this is an out-of-the-box idea but it does help to absorb sound before it enters your room.
#9 Install a door sweep.
Have you ever noticed that your door has a slight opening at the bottom when it is fully closed? Believe it or not, that small crack is a major soundproof breach. This is where buying a door sweep will prove to be very convenient in soundproofing your room. This product is a piece of metal or plastic you attach to the bottom of your door that seals the gap formed between your floor and door bottom. You will be surprised how well this works to quiet your room. Make sure to check out my post on installing a door sweep so you do it correctly for a proper soundproof seal.
#10 Install Automatic Door Bottom
Using a cheap door sweep to block sound does a great job in soundproofing your doorway. However, installing a rubber or metal door sweep incorrectly will not produce the proper seal needed for soundproofing. Furthermore, most floors and doors are not perfectly square making the door sweep you just installed possibly useless. Don’t worry, there is a better alternative! You can purchase one of these automatic door sweeps that deliver better soundproofing results without any lag. This high-tech product consists of a spring mechanism that automatically seals the gap when your door is closed. It is more advanced than a regular door sweep and therefore comes with a higher price tag. If you decide to get one, here is a helpful guide on how to install an automatic door bottom that I came across in my research.
#11 Caulk All Gaps
If you take a closer look at your doorway you will notice tiny cracks and gaps along the edges. These are tiny chinks in your soundproofing armor. To resolve this problem, use this gap filler sealant to caulk any small openings. This may be a better alternative than weather stripping or you could use it in addition to weather stripping. You need to cover any opening, no matter how small, and something like this sealant will help you do that.
#12 Apply Weather Stripping
Typically used for keeping out wind, rain, and other debris or elements, weather stripping is also good for soundproofing. Purchase some of this adhesive weather stripping and stick it along the edges of your doorframe covering up any openings you can visibly see. You want to cover up any gaps creating an airtight seal to block out the sound. This is probably one of the cheapest options mentioned in this post so it’s a perfect low cost soundproofing solution.
#13 Install Door Gaskets
Door gaskets are slightly more expensive than using weather stripping. They produce an overall tighter seal. Installing door gaskets also requires a bit more handyman skills and time.
#14 Sound Absorbing Paint
Okay. I know this might sound crazy but try this sound absorbing paint I found during my research. It has received some good reviews. It will not block sound. It will simply help dampen any noise traveling through your door. It’s affordable so definitely worth giving it a shot. You can also visit your local hardware store or Home Depot an inquire about this type of paint. I’d recommend applying a few thick coats for it to be effective.
Why Does Noise Enter Through A Doorway?
You just learned many different ways to minimize noise entering through your doorway. But why does so much noise travel through this opening in the first place?
The reason your door allows noise to enter is due to that fact it is most likely a hollow-core door. These type of doors are not very good at blocking noise. Also, your doorway typically has many small openings that tend to go unnoticed. These tiny gaps on the bottom, top, and along the side of your doorway easily welcome sound right into your home.
What to expect
You can expect significant improvement in a sound reduction by applying some of the tips mentioned in this article. Your doorway is one of the largest entry points for sound to travel, which makes it a challenging to soundproof. You will need to cover up all breaching points that can compromise any soundproofing efforts.
This can get expensive but some of the cheaper options I have mentioned will do a great job to keep your room quiet. Your next step is to apply a few of them to see if they work for your door.
