Doors are one of the main ways sound enters are leaves a room. If you want to soundproof a door and keep your room quieter or neighbors happier then there are a few easy DIY soundproofing wins you can try.
We've listed 15 easy ways to soundproof a door that actually work. For optimum noise reduction results you may need to use a few of these tips in combination with each other.
How To Soundproof A Door
1. Fill The Gaps
For the first entry on our list, we have decided to showcase a more traditional approach to soundproof your doors.
One of the best ways to stop sound before it comes into a room is to block its entrance, which can be done by filling the grapes around your door using various sound-proofing materials.
For example, you can cover these areas using gap foam, noise-reducing tape and silicone sealant to ensure maximum silence.
However, it is important to note that it can be incredibly difficult to successfully cut off sound, which means the material used has to be dense and cover every gap from edge to edge.
Because of this, we don’t recommend using fibreglass, insulation boards, foam core insulation or any other light materials. For the best results, you need to utilize a substance that sports thickness, density and mass. Ideally you want to use the best acoustic sealant for the best results.
2. Use Foam Tiles
The next entry on our list is more straightforward in its application, as it involves purchasing heavy mass foam tiles and sticking them to the exterior of your chosen door.
These innovative tiles are essentially made to resemble large jigsaw pieces, which means they can be slotted together in a range of different patterns and formations.
However, the best thing about these tiles is that they can be used to completely cover your door, regardless of its size or shape.
Although this technique is a fast and simple approach to soundproof your door, it should be noted that the method can only be completed using heavy mass foam tiles.
If you attempt to use traditional floor puzzle pieces or carpet squares then you will not receive the same results, as these materials will commonly absorb sound but not block it out completely.
3. Fill Your Door With Sand
When it comes to soundproofing your door, this particular technique isn’t very common, nor is it considered the most practical.
To begin this method, you will need to make sure that you are well prepared, as filling a hollow door with sand can be a very long and complicated process, especially if you are working on your own. However, once you have properly filled the door, we promise that you will be blown away by the results.
If you decide to use this particular method, then it is important to remember that your newly filled door will be incredibly heavy, which means you will need to invest in industrial hinges if you want it to remain stable in its frame.
Otherwise, you could risk the door being pulled from the wall and severely damaging its overall structure. So if you want to fill your door with sand, we recommend following the proper installation techniques to ensure the best outcome.
4. Install Acoustic Thresholds
If you want to make sure that your door is completely soundproof, then you will need to make sure that the gap underneath it has been properly sealed. This is where products like acoustic thresholds can come in handy.
Similar to door sweeps, acoustic thresholds have been designed to block sound from entering underneath the door, which can help to reduce the amount of noise gaining access to a single room.
However, this does not mean that sweeps and thresholds are entirely the same things, as there is one key difference that separates the two inventions. Instead of being installed on the door itself, acoustic thresholds need to be applied directly to the floor.
This means that you can open and close your door without issue, which makes acoustic thresholds the ideal choice for anyone living in a house with hard and noisy surfaces.
5. Meeting Stiles On Double Doors
We all know it can be difficult to soundproof doors, however, the process can be made even more complicated when the door in question has been doubled. Fortunately, you can now soundproof your double doors using a product called a meeting stile.
Not only do meeting stiles work to seal your double doors when they are closed, but they also come available in a range of dense materials, such as rubber, composite and other notable choices.
When it comes to installing your meeting stiles, all you have to do is choose the right size and screw the stiles to the areas where the two doors meet.
Once this has been completed, you can then test your work by closing the doors and checking the noise levels. In many ways, meeting stiles are very similar to door sweeps except that they are vertical rather than horizontal in their design.
6. Buy A Soundproofing Kit
These days, there are hundreds of techniques that can be used to soundproof your doors, with some working better than others.
However, if you want to skip the installation process, then you can purchase a premade soundproofing kit, which will provide you with everything you need to successfully soundproof your doors.
Not only do these kits make the installation process much easier, but they also come with a range of helpful tools and materials, which you will need to soundproof your doors and get the job done.
This can include anything from weather stripping and door sweeps to fibreboard and composite materials. When it comes to soundproofing your home, there is no better option than purchasing your own premade kit, as they are a convenient and cost-effective alternative to other techniques.
7. Cover Your Door With Fibreboard
In terms of function, fibreboards are very similar to soundproofing composite material, in that they can both be used to cover the interior and exterior of your doors.
However, this does not mean that the two materials are exactly the same, as fibreboard is less malleable as composite, which means you will not be able to bend or manipulate it for your soundproofing needs.
When it comes to installing your fibreboard, the best approach is to apply it to both the indoor and outdoor sides of your door, as well as using smaller pieces to cover the gaps and edges around the frame.
For the best results, you can also open up your door and place a fibreboard at its core, although not every door will be capable of undergoing this particular procedure.
8. Install Composite Material
If you want to soundproof a door really well then you can do this by applying soundproofing composite material to the inside, outside and underneath your chosen door.
This material will usually come in the form of large heavy sheets, which are thick and dense in their construction. Because of this, the material is the perfect solution for blocking out any incoming sounds, as it will absorb and reduce any unwanted noise.
The best thing about composite material is that it is very versatile, which means that it can be utilized in numerous different ways to ensure the best results. For example, you can make a doormat out of the material and place it under the door.
It is also possible to purchase a custom door that has been made using composite, which helps to heighten its soundproofing capabilities. However, if these techniques do not excite you, then it is also possible to glue the material to the outside of your door for maximum silence.
9. Purchase A Solid Core Door
The cost to soundproof a door properly can get expensive. Another effective method to soundproof your home is to purchase a solid core door, which are doors that have been specifically designed to prevent noise from entering the room.
This is because the doors are not hollow and therefore have the necessary mass to block out any unwanted sound or vibrations. For the best results, we recommend installing a solid wood or metal core door, as these will help to reduce the sound significantly.
However, this does not mean that both materials do not come with their setbacks, as both solid wood and metal core doors can have a severe impact on your home.
Overall, wood doors are probably the most effective as they can block noise and will look attractive in your house. While some fire codes may prevent you from installing a metal door in the interior of your home.
10. Apply Panels To Your Door
Arguably the most effective choice of all soundproofing techniques would be to install soundproof panels on the interior of your door.
Commonly made from thick and dense materials, these panels have the ability to bounce sound waves in the opposite direction, while also absorbing the brunt of the impact.
The final result is an unmatched noise blocking system that will keep your home soundproofed for years to come.
If you want to install these panels on your door, then you will need to remember that the panels can be very heavy, which means that trying to complete the job alone can be very tricky.
You will also need to open the door into two halves to install the panel properly, which can be difficult and damaging when done incorrectly.
So for the best results, we recommend purchasing a customized door that already has the panels installed, as this will avoid any issue that could occur when attempting to install them yourself.
11. Use A Soundproof Blanket
Although you may think placing a soundproof blanket under your door will reduce noise, this will only work to combat any sound coming from the floor beneath it. If you're not planning on opening the door then a soundproof blanket or even soundproof curtains will help reduce the noise coming through the door.
So if you want to make sure that your door is completely soundproof, then you have to make sure that your soundproof blanket is actually covering the door itself. For the best results, we recommend purchasing a fibreglass blanket for the job, as these have been proven to reduce sound significantly.
This is because fibreglass is an excellent insulator, which is why you can find it in houses and apartments around the world.
So by throwing a heavyweight fibreglass blanket over your door, you should be able to block out any unwanted noise from entering the room. One of the best things about this technique is that the blanket can also be easily removed when you are not in the mood to soundproof your door.
This is a great way to soundproof a wall between apartments too.
12. Fill Gaps With Foam
As we previously mentioned, one of the best ways to soundproof your door is by filling up any gaps around the frame, which can be done using a myriad of different techniques.
Probably one of the most effective ways to approach this method is to fill in the cracks and edges by using gap foam, which will slowly expand after it has been applied. This will help to create a significant barrier between your door and the outside world, resulting in limited or muted sound.
For the best results, you will need to apply the foam around the interior of the door, making sure to fill any gaps that you encounter on the way. It is also important to remember that the thicker the foam the more resistant it will be to sound waves and vibrations.
However, this does not mean that gap foam should be your only approach, as the foam works best when accompanied by soundproof panels, vinyl sheets and other techniques.
If you want to know how to soundproof a door cheap then this is a good place to start.
13. Add Vinyl Sheets
By now you have probably figured out that heavy mass is the most effective way to combat sound waves. This means you can also soundproof your door by installing vinyl sheets to the door’s core.
Not only is this particular method incredibly effective but it is also ideal for people who own hollow doors, as hollow doors already work to dampen sound without entirely blocking it.
Mass loaded vinyl sheets can be placed on the interior of the door or inside the door’s core, which will help to heighten the door’s natural dampening abilities.
For the best results, you will need to make sure that the vinyl has been attached to the door using sound-dampening glue, which will also help to block out any unwanted noises. However, it should be noted that no glue can block sound and soundproof a door completely. Instead, it can only help to absorb some of the sound.
14. Soundproof A Door With A Door Sweep
Door sweeps are a great way to block out sound from entering a room, as they are commonly made from metal or rubber and can be added to your door without adding any resistance to its mechanical properties.
However, it is important to remember that when the door is closed and the sweep is in place, you won’t be able to hear any sound from the outside.
When installing a door sweep, all you have to do is find a sweep that matches the size of your door. You will then need to secure the product by screwing it in place, so it is important to make sure that everything is lined up before completing this process.
Otherwise, you could risk having to fill up any leftover gaps or repeating the installation process entirely.
15. Seal Cracks With Gasket
Sound is able to travel through your home by accessing the various gaps around your doors, which means these gaps have to be filled to ensure premium silence.
If you encounter any cracks or gaps in your doorframe, then you can fill them in using a door gasket. These are incredibly easy to install and they help to block out all sound from entering your personal space.
However, before you can install your gasket you will need to remove the door frame, which is something easier said than done. You will also need to line up the gasket with the frame to ensure that no sound is able to travel through.
Currently, there are hundreds of door gaskets available on the market, with most of them being relatively cheap to purchase.
Soundproofing a Door - Things You Need To Know
Now that you know the various ways that you can soundproof a door, let’s take a look at some important information that needs to be considered before you can soundproof your room:
Legal Requirements
Although soundproofing can be a great way to reduce noise without breaking any laws or regulations, you may be surprised to learn that various music producers and homeowners often find themselves faced with legal issues when it comes to dampening any unwanted noises or vibrations.
So to help you further understand the legal requirements of soundproofing your home, we have outlined some key information in the sections below:
Can You Soundproof A Door In A Rental?
If you already own your own property, then this section doesn’t concern you. However, if you still find yourself living in rented accommodation, then there are some things you need to consider before you can soundproof your home.
When it comes to soundproofing your doors, we recommend consulting with your landlord before attempting any serious procedures, as this will allow you to understand if you are breaking any rental agreements.
Although most landlords will not take issue with temporary solutions (such as soundproof blankets), they may become concerned if you attempt to drill or break open your door, which could result in your eventual eviction.
What About Fire Codes?
Fire codes are another thing you need to think about when it comes to soundproofing your home, as certain practices may not be allowed due to fire safety regulations.
For example, some methods that we have discussed can make a door much heavier, which could impair escape if your home were to catch fire.
Soundproofing your doors can also eliminate sounds of distress or warning such as fire alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, which could result in serious repercussions.
So before you can soundproof your home, we highly recommend that you check with your local fire department to see which methods are the safest to utilize. To quiet a garage door will have different code requirements than soundproofing a door in your home.
Why Soundproofing Your Door is Important
Doors and windows are the most likely areas sound is entering or escaping your apartment or house.
Whether it's privacy or peace you require, doors can really affect the soundproofing of your home and this is annoying as they are essential and awkward to soundproof effectively when compared to walls.
Even the most well-fitted door will often allow sound through it due to the materials it's made of and the quality of the material and doors can often warp and become damaged further reducing their effectiveness in blocking out sound.
A soundproofed door negates many of these issues and effectively insulates you from the noise of the outside world, making your life more peaceful and giving you control over a key part of your living environment.
There are added benefits too, as soundproofing often shares attributes with heat insulation, and if you struggle with cold temperatures in your home, soundproofing can go a long way to helping keep your home warmer too, which kills two birds with one stone!
While soundproofing isn’t designed for these purposes, good soundproofing can have a positive impact on the heat efficiency of your home, and this is something to keep in mind if you’re dealing with both of these issues.
If you use at least 2 or 3 of the methods above to soundproof a door you will already begin to get good noise reduction results.