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What is a Soundproof Door?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A soundproof door is a door which has been designed or retrofitted to cut out as much external noise as possible. However, a soundproof door is also very dependent on a well-designed frame, or sound can leak around the edges of the frame. Unwanted noise can also filter through walls and windows, which is an important consideration for people who are attempting to soundproof a room or building.

There are a variety of situations in which a soundproof door can be useful. Musicians and recording studios rely on such doors to keep sounds from getting out, both for the comfort of the neighbors and for the benefit of other musicians and recording facilities which could be compromised by sound leakage. Soundproof doors are also used to seal noisy rooms like boiler rooms and entrances to factory floors. People can also utilize soundproof doors to keep unwanted sound out of their homes.

A soundproof door may use acoustic insulation.
A soundproof door may use acoustic insulation.

Several companies specifically manufacture soundproof doors, along with frames. Together, the door and frame cut out much of the noise. A number of techniques can be used to filter sound, including using a snug padded frame which creates a tight seal, mounting a door sweep seal to prevent leakage under the door with a flap of rubber which closes the gap at the base of the door, and covering or filling the door with something which works as an acoustic baffle. For people who cannot afford commercially produced soundproofed doors, sometimes just replacing a hollow core door with a solid door can do the trick.

Recording studios and radio stations often use soundproof doors to absorb as much sound as possible.
Recording studios and radio stations often use soundproof doors to absorb as much sound as possible.

It is also possible to retrofit an existing door and frame to radically improve its soundproofing qualities. Peel and stick acoustic baffles or panels can be attached to the inside of the door, or a door can be lined with foam or even egg crates to cut down on sound pollution. Adding weatherstripping around the door frame can help to create a seal, as can the installation of a door sweep seal. Creative soundproofers sometimes hang two doors, with the air pocket between them acting as a very effective acoustic baffle.

A good soundproof door can make a significant impact in the ambient noise level, and if an entire room or structure is treated with soundproofing measures, noise deadening may be achieved. In addition to preventing noise pollution, soundproofing often improves heating and cooling efficiency along the way, since it increases insulation, keeping a space warmer or cooler as desired.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

strawCake

@Kaboom - I live in an apartment complex with very thin walls. The noise is making me miserable! I'm thinking about getting a soundproof interior door. I may also look into the egg crate solution you mentioned for the wall.

Maybe I can convince my next door neighbors to egg crate their walls as well so we can all be happy!

KaBoom

My boyfriend works part time for a small recording studio that operates out of a house. He started working there close to the time the studio opened and we he started the soundproofing wasn't done yet.

I remember soundproofing the exterior and interior doors was a really big deal because the house was located in a residential area. The last thing they wanted to do was disturb the neighbors! They actually ended up soundproofing the existing door and frame instead of purchasing a new door. It worked really well and was very cost effective.

As the article mentioned egg crate is good for soundproofing- but not just around doors. The studio my boyfriend works for actually put egg crate up on the walls to further soundproof the studio.

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    • A soundproof door may use acoustic insulation.
      By: Silvia Crisman
      A soundproof door may use acoustic insulation.
    • Recording studios and radio stations often use soundproof doors to absorb as much sound as possible.
      By: imkenneth
      Recording studios and radio stations often use soundproof doors to absorb as much sound as possible.