How to Soundproof a Door

Doors are weak links in any soundproofing project. Buying acoustically rated sound doors can cost in the thousands of dollars. In this article we will show you how to produce a high quality sound rated door for a fraction of the price.

[If you do not want to do much construction to your door then you should consider using our Door Panel Sound Barrier.]

The challenge to soundproofing a door is threefold:

1. The Door itself easily allows sound to penetrate.
2. The gaps along the sides of the door are a sound path.
3. The gap at the bottom of the door is the biggest sound leak.

Below is a list of products which you will need to ensure maximum soundproofing results:

• Drywall or Fiberboard (step 1)
• Green Glue (step 1)
• Soundproofing Rubber (step 2)
• Acoustic Caulk (step 2)
• Door Gasket (step 3)
• Automatic Door Bottom (step 4)

Step 1: Reinforcing Your Door Panel

Sound waves can easily penetrate a door panel, particularly if it is of the hollow variety. Use a solid wood door with a flat surface. Buy a piece of wood the same size as your door, we like to use 1/2" thick, smooth MDF wood as this routes and paints nicely (if looks are not an issue you can even use a piece of drywall). This step will add mass to your door and will allow you to apply a layer of Green Glue in between.

Install 1–2 tubes of Green Glue Damping Compound on the back of the MDF or on the door and screw the MDF to the door tightly sandwiching the Green Glue in between (see figure 1).

You can install your handles by drilling the same size hole through the MDF, however for ultimate sound control we recommend using a dummy handle with a ball and catch type of latch in order to eliminate any penetrations through the door.

[Green Glue Compound is a visco-elastic damping compound which dampens vibrations and prevents sound waves from infiltrating through the panel. For more information see, All About Green Glue.]

Alternatively, for a more temporary boost to your door you can just add a piece of Mass Loaded Vinyl to your door (nail, screw or staple it to the door).

Once your door is fortified together you can focus on filling the gaps around the perimeter of your door.

Step 2: Apply Soundproofing Rubber Around the Molding

Although it is covered by a molding, the gap between the door frame and wall framing is a big sound leak around your doors. A dense closed cell sponge neoprene Soundproofing Rubber can be used to fill this gap (see figure 2). Once applied, use Acoustical Caulk to fill in all remaining small and corner gaps and install your molding (see figure 3).

Step 3: Apply a Door Gasket

Step 4: Apply an Automatic Door Bottom

The final step is sealing the gap at the bottom of the door. A standard rubber sweep will not give you a proper seal…

The solution is to use an Automatic Door Bottom. This ingenious piece can be mounted flush with the bottom of the door and will drop a seal when the door closes and automatically raise the seal when the door opens.

For More Information:

• How to Measure for an Automatic Door Bottom
• How to Install an Automatic Door Bottom

Recommended Automatic Door Bottoms:

• Heavy Duty Automatic Door Bottom
• Heavy Duty High Sound Automatic Door Bottom
• Heavy Duty Mortised High Sound Automatic Door Bottom

Once you have fortified your door panel and sealed gaps at the jamb, header, and bottom, you can be assured of a soundproof door with high ratings.

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