What are Soundproof Doors?

Introduction

Noise transference between spaces can be a tough issue to solve. Even with a beefed-up wall assembly, sound will always take the path of least resistance. Typically, that path is through small openings around doors which can cause up to 50% of the sound to escape. This can be frustrating for anyone seeking privacy or looking to avoid disturbing others. In this blog we will discuss what steps can be taken to prevent sound from leaking from a room and eliminate a weak point in your soundproof assembly.

What are Soundproof Doors?

While there are high end studio doors on the market, these cost thousands of dollars and are typically not a realistic solution for most end users. In reality, there’s a much simpler and more cost effective option to create a soundproof door. A soundproof door consists of two parts: Mass and a tight seal. By adding mass to a door, you take the first step to increasing its STC. This mass is what is needed to break up sound waves as they travel through the door. This mass is then reinforced with a tight seal that prevents sound leaking around the edges of a door. Just as a wall assembly can be rendered ineffective due to a weak point, a door assembly can suffer the same fate.

Why are Soundproof Doors Important?

There are many reasons why you may want to keep sound from traveling through your doors. Soundproof doors are a great way to increase privacy for sensitive conversations in settings such as legal and medical offices. They can also be great for sealing up a home studio as the doors are typically the overlooked piece of the wall assembly. Creating a nice seal may not seem like a big deal, however any opening is going to leak sound. A phrase that has become a mantra for us is “a 1% opening is going to let in/out 50% of the sound.”

Diagram of air flow and sound wave propagation through a small opening

Examples of Soundproof Doors

As mentioned above, there are two facets to soundproofing: Mass and a tight seal. When it comes to doors, typically a solid core wood door will provide enough mass to block everyday sounds. The addition of one of our Acoustic Door Seal Kits provides the tight seal needed to complete the assembly. These kits consist of an Automatic Door Bottom, PrivacyShield^® Door Seal Kit (Top and Sides), and an Acoustic Door Threshold. These come standard as a kit for a 36″ x 84″ door or can be custom cut to create a kit to match your door exactly.

Another option, when replacing the door is not an option, is hanging one of our PrivacyShield^® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets in front of the door. Weighing in at close to 50 lbs. each, these blankets provide an STC of 29 for the 1 lb. barrier and 33 for the 2 lb. barrier. These come standard at 48″ x 96″ which provide enough overlap to ensure a tight seal that sound cannot leak around.

Acoustic Door Seal Kit

Tips and Reminders for Soundproof Doors

Before taking the next steps to attempt to change your wall assembly, consider that the door may be the weak point. When trying to soundproof a door, remember there are just two things you need to achieve this: mass and a tight seal. This can be easily achieved with the products mentioned above and for a fraction of the price of a high-end studio door.

Summary

Soundproof doors are much simpler than they may seem. By sealing up a solid core wood door, you can protect speech privacy, ensure confidentiality, and prevent the disturbance of others.