Are you tired of hearing coughs, conversations, or telephone ringing of your neighbor? If yes, this can be problematic for you, especially when relaxing in your living room or trying to concentrate on your office work.
Doors are the major culprit for entering and leaving sound waves. Most of the buildings today have either solid doors or hollow doors. But unfortunately, hollow doors easily allow the sound waves to travel.
So, in short, you can easily hear the cough or conversations of your neighbor if you have a hollow door. Similarly, your conversations can easily reach outside when you have a hollow door.
Most people think of replacing their hollow door with a solid door. But it is not always possible, especially if you stay in a rented apartment. The homeowner usually doesn’t allow to do significant changes in the door.
So how to soundproof a hollow door? You can do it in numerous ways, like installing weatherstripping tape, mass-loaded vinyl sheets, door gaskets, or hanging soundproof curtains on the hollow door.
The article discusses how to soundproof a hollow door in detail. So, you can keep scrolling through this article to learn how you can easily soundproof your hollow door.
What Is A Hollow Door?
Most builders usually prefer solid doors because they are lightweight and affordable.
The hollow door comprises a hollow core consisting of either a honeycomb or a cardboard material covered on both sides by a thin wood or composite material.
These doors do not last for a longer time. The most awful thing about hollow doors is that they can easily transmit sound waves. Hence you can easily hear the noise of your neighbor.
So hollow door is not a good choice in places where noise reduction is the primary concern.
How Can I Identify A Hollow Door?
You can identify a hollow door in various ways. For instance, knock on a door; if you hear an echo, it’s mainly a hollow door.
Another way is to tap the door with a hard object like a key. If you hear a dull sound, then it’s a solid door. But if the sound is hollow, then it indicates that it is a hollow door.
If you are still unsure about the type of door you have in your house and the door usually leaks sound waves, then you probably have hollow doors.
What Is The Difference Between Solid Door And Hollow Door?
1. Composition
Solid doors are made from various solid wood like oak or mahogany. But if we talk about hollow doors, they are made from thin sheets of wood.
2. Weight
Solid doors are heavier in comparison to hollow doors.
3. Soundproofing
Solid doors consist of solid wood and are better at blocking sound waves than hollow doors.
4.Durability
Solid doors are durable in comparison to hollow doors.
5. Cost
Solid doors are usually expensive compared to hollow doors.
6. Appearance
Installing a solid door can give you a classy look, whereas a hollow door can provide a utilitarian look.
How To Soundproof A Hollow Door?
Imagine your side neighbor is having a party till the middle of the night, and the sound of music enters your room through the door. It will disturb your sleep, and you get irritated.
If this happens often, you need to think of ways to soundproof your door to rest peacefully. We have discussed below a few ways how to soundproof a hollow door.
1. Weather Strip Your Door
Doors usually have cracks when they are installed on the frame. This small gap allows the soundwaves to penetrate or leave the room easily. So you need to seal them.
It’s best to use weatherstrips as they are affordable and can seal both sound waves and air from entering and leaving the room. It even helps to conserve energy by not allowing the air to leave the room.
Below is a step-by-step guide on how to use weatherstripping on your hollow door.
- Your first duty is to measure the size of the door. You need to take a measuring tape and measure the length from top to bottom and then from one side to another side of the door. Try to note down these measurements.
- Cut the weatherstripping material with a utility knife. You need to cut one inch greater than the measurements you took in step.
- Clean the door properly to remove all the dust and dirt so that weatherstripping tape can adhere properly.
- Install weather stripping on the edges of the hollow door to reduce noise levels.
- The weatherstripping will create an air-tight space when you close the door and will not allow the sound to enter and leave the room. It will even prevent the slamming of doors.
2. Install Mass Loaded Vinyl Sheets
Mass-loaded vinyl is vinyl sheets with carbon granules. They are available in different sizes and can easily fit on any hollow door. They are pretty easy to install. You don’t require any special tools during installation.
Mass-loaded vinyl sheets can significantly help to reduce noise levels. We have discussed a step-by-step guide on the installation of mass-loaded vinyl sheets.
- Measure the size of your hollow door.
- Cut the vinyl sheet according to the size you have measured. Try to cut one inch extra for overlapping.
- Use adhesive on the back of the sheet and then install it on the edges of your door frame.
- When you install mass-loaded vinyl sheets on the door frame, it may not be aesthetically appealing. But it will help to reduce noise levels to a greater extent.
3. Install Acoustic panels Or Acoustic Foam
Acoustic panels are the next option to soundproof your hollow door. They are available in various sizes, so you can easily get them according to your needs and requirements.
They are usually made from rock wool, glass fiber, or rock wool. The panels will help to absorb the sound effectively.
Acoustic foam is another option that helps to reduce noise levels. They are usually made from polyurethane or polyester.
If you wish to block high-frequency sound, use polyurethane foam on a hollow door. Similarly, if you want to reduce low-frequency noise, use polyester foam.
4. Hang Drapes Of Curtains
Hanging drapes or soundproof curtains is one of the easiest ways to soundproof your hollow door. They are even soft, flexible and can add beauty to your room.
Use drapes or soundproof curtains along with acoustic panels to effectively block soundwaves.
5. Install A Door Sweep
One of the first which you need to look for while soundproofing your hollow door is the gaps. Most hollow doors usually have gaps beneath them, allowing sound waves to travel easily.
Some gaps are large enough that your finger can easily enter inside it. Your primary duty is to close the gap under the door to minimize noise levels.
Installing a door sweep is the most affordable and accessible way to block soundwaves. Door sweeps are usually made from foam. However, it can be made from rubber or cork.
The foam rubber door sweep usually expands and contract with temperature changes, and that help to resist the sound waves pressure which usually passes beneath the door.
If you want a long-lasting, lighter door sweep, buy an aluminum one.
We have discussed a step-by-step guide about the installation of door sweep.
- Remove your hollow door from the hinges.
- If you have installed any door sweep previously, then remove it.
- Clean the place properly to remove dust and dirt.
- Install new floor sweep with the help of screws.
- It should match appropriately with the length of your hollow door.
- Install the hollow door again.
- The door sweep will help to prevent bugs and other harmful insects from entering your room. It will even keep the temperature under control.
- Another great thing about door sweep is that it will not allow sound waves to enter your room and thus helps minimize noise levels.
6. Use Door Rug
Door rugs are another great way to absorb sound. They block the space beneath the door and thus don’t allow the soundwaves to enter and leave the room.
Always buy thick rugs as they are more effective in reducing noise levels than thinner rugs.
Try to place door rugs on both sides of the door to get maximum benefit.
There are various types of door rugs. We are listing some of them below.
1. Foam Door Mats
Foam door rugs help to muffle sound waves and provide insulation. If you have a minimal budget ad want to soundproof your hollow door, buy foam door rugs. But they will not last for a longer time. Hence you need to replace the door rug within a few years.
2. Rubber Door Mats
Rubber door mats are pretty effective in muffling sound waves. They even last for longer years. So you don’t need to replace them like foam door mats very often.
3. Cork Door Mats
Cork door mats are excellent at absorbing noise. They will even last for many years.
7. Insulation Foam
Insulation foam is lightweight and malleable, and when installed inside your hollow door, it can act as a noise barrier. It will allow the air to pass but block sound waves effectively.
But the installation of insulation foam is not easy. So, if you are not experienced, then don’t try. Try to help any professional for installing insulation foam on your hollow door to reduce noise levels.
Also Read : How To Install Vinyl Plank Flooring On Concrete
8. Try Soundproofing Blanket
Most people usually use soundproofing blankets on walls to reduce noise. You can even use it on your hollow door to block noise.
A soundproofing blanket is tried and tested method to reduce noise levels effectively. Try to choose a thick soundproof blanket that will match the style and color of your room or room.
Then install them on the hollow door. They may not look visually appealing but helps to absorb noise levels.
9. Install Door Gaskets
Installing a Door gasket is another inexpensive way to soundproof your hollow door.
They are available in various sizes and materials. We recommend you purchase the thin door gaskets as they compress when you shut your door. Using thick door gaskets can be difficult while closing the door.
We are discussing a step-by-step guide about the installation of door gaskets.
- Remove the old gasket and discard it.
- Clean the place to remove dust and dirt.
- Apply silicon caulk layer on all four sides of your door jamb
- Leave it for a few minutes, then install the door gasket.
Conclusion
A Hollow door can easily make sound waves enter your room and distract your mind. Continuous hearing of noise can cause physical and mental health issues. So you must soundproof your hollow door.
We have discussed various ways how to soundproof a hollow door and hope the information is helpful.
FAQ : How To Soundproof A Hollow Door
Q1. Can hollow doors be soundproof?
Ans: Hollow doors are lightweight, easy to install, and inexpensive. So most of the homeowners prefer to use them in the bathroom or bedroom. But they are awful at absorbing sound.
These doors will allow the outside to enter your room and vice versa. So, you must soundproof your hollow door in various ways, like installing a soundproof blanket or using door rugs to cancel maximum noise.
Q2. Can you put spray foam in the hollow door?
Ans: Yes, you can use spray foam in a hollow door to soundproof it. But it’s pretty tricky to install. So it’s better to take professional help for putting spray inside the hollow door.
Q3. What is the best material for soundproof doors?
Ans: Using high-density materials is best to soundproof your door. It means using a solid core door at home is best to absorb noise.
But if you have a hollow door and are staying in an apartment, you cannot replace it. In such cases, you can use soundproof blankets or a doormat to block sound waves.