Sometimes we require peace and comfort in our rooms, but the noise from various sources comes our way. Closing the doors and windows does not prevent sounds from entering or leaving our rooms. Are you wondering how? Because sound passes through solid surfaces, such as walls, doors, and windows. Learn here how to soundproof a wall cheaply.
Though there are many places noise can enter or leave your room, hollow doors are notorious for allowing noise to pass through. In this article, we shall learn how to soundproof a hollow door.
Most people don’t even know they have a hollow door in their rooms. They struggle with the noise without knowing its source. If you want to know your door has space in between, knock on it. It will produce a loud hollow sound if it’s hollow.
Unfortunately, you cannot enjoy privacy with a hollow door. People outside your room will hear what you’re doing. The noise coming into your room through the hollow door may give you a headache. Luckily, you shall learn how to soundproof such a door to bar the noise from or into your space. The methods include the following;
Ways of Soundproofing a Hollow Door
i. Insert the Correct Soundproofing Material into the Hollow Space
If you use the wrong material to soundproof your door, you will have done a useless job. Using the right material to soundproof your hollow door is crucial. When installed correctly, you will have successfully reduced noise from or into your space.
The market has so many soundproofing materials, so you need to be careful what you choose. Some work better than others. Renowned useful materials for soundproofing a door are closed-cell foam and Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV). These two materials work like magic in reducing the amount of sound going through the door.
Examples of airborne noise are loud music or people talking. If you are on a budget, go for compact foam that absorbs sound effectively. It costs very little and has glue on one side to help you install it with ease. If you have some extra money, consider Vinyl enhanced with a lot of mass. Though it’s a bit expensive, it produces better results.
Vinyl reinforced with much mass works out excellently in sucking up impact noise. Good examples of impact noise include drum bass and vibrations from electrical machines like engines or washers.
Use the following guide to install soundproofing materials in your hollow door.
A Step by Step Guide in Installing Soundproofing Materials In a Hollow Door
Step 1: Remove the Door
The first thing to do is to remove the door. Take it out from its hinges. Then put it down to lay flat on the floor.
Step 2: Change the Hinges
You may wonder why. When you put the soundproofing material on the door, it will add some weight. The existing hinges may not be strong enough to hold the new weight.
Step 3: Take Out the Door’s Wooden Panel
Hollow doors come with frames and two wooden panels. While resting on the floor, you will need to remove one of the door’s wooden boards. Remove the wood panel carefully to create space for filling in the soundproof material.
You should be careful about the kind of force and pressure you apply while removing the wood panel because it comes weak and lightweight. Otherwise, you will damage the board.
Step 4: Insert the Soundproofing Material inside the Door’s Cavity
After successfully removing the wooden panel, insert your preferred soundproofing material into the door’s cavity. Soundproofing materials don’t come in sizes that fit doors. Some are bigger while others are small. To make them fit into your door correctly, you need to measure the door’s cavity. Afterwards, cut the material into size.
The soundproofing materials are like water. They find their way into the hollow space through the smallest of space. Therefore, ensure the material fits properly inside your door’s cavity. It will make sure no area gets left uncovered. Insert as much material as you can for optimal results.
Step 5: Put Green Glue
Some soundproofing materials like MLV don’t come with an adhesive. If you have used such a material, apply green glue. You may ask why green glue. It sticks very fast and acts as a noise insulator.
Even though you’ve used soundproofing materials with self-adhesive like closed foam, it is advisable you still use the green glue because of its insulating ability. You can use other cheaper adhesives, but they don’t usually have the insulating feature. You can use them if you don’t have the budget.
Step 6: Return the Wood Panel
After inserting the soundproofing material and applying glue:
- Put back the wooden panel.
- Ensure you replace it properly, leaving no space between the frame and the door.
- Put the door back to the hinges.
You may have gone a step further in reducing sound in your home by inserting the soundproof material into the door, but it doesn’t guarantee results if the door has gaps in other places. The door’s frame could have holes or spaces that need to be covered.
ii. Soundproof the Door’s Main Frame
It’s time to soundproof the door’s mainframe after soundproofing the hollow space. Seal in between the mainframe and the hollow door. It will prevent the noise from passing through that area. Use rubber strips to seal the area.
It is an easy and quick procedure. The strips usually contain an adhesive, making them simple and quick to use. You need to cover both the top and side parts of the door’s frame so that when you close the door, it seals perfectly.
iii. Seal the Gap below the Door
There’s usually a space between them and the ground or floor in most hollow doors. If this gap is not sealed or covered, your soundproofed door may be useless because the opening will allow noise to pass through. Because you don’t want your efforts to get wasted, and you need to eliminate sound in your room, you should cover the space.
A silicone sweep will work out excellently. Please attach it to your door’s bottom. Voila! You have successfully soundproofed your hollow door using the ideal soundproofing materials in the door’s hollow part and sealed the door’s top, side, and bottom parts.
But you may not want to remove your door or are in a position not to. How then do you soundproof your hollow door? No need to worry; there’s light at the end of the tunnel. There are several methods you can use. They include the following;
Alternative Methods to Removing the Hollow Door and Soundproofing its Hollow Part
I. Install Drapes and Curtains that Block Noise
Sound blocking curtains and drapes are excellent alternatives to removing your door and stuffing it with soundproofing materials. They prevent noise from entering or leaving your room effectively. All you need is to put a robust curtain rod above your door. Then hang the curtain or drape.
Ensure the drape or curtain covers the entire door. It should go up to the ceiling and down to the floor. The sides should surpass the door for optimal results. The drape or curtain should be thick and made using sound dampening materials. You may also check soundproof curtains and how do they work.
If you live in a rented house, this option is perfect for you because you cannot remove the door. It is also convenient because you only need to slide the curtains or drapes when you want to conceal noise. When moving out, you only need to remove them and carry them along.
II. Attach Fiberglass Panels to the Door
Fiberglass panels are expensive but are worth the hustle. They work excellently in blocking noise from passing through the door. Installing them is like a downhill task. You only need to attach them to the hollow door. You can use glue or screws. Ensure they are well secured. Otherwise, they may fall off or tilt when the door opens or closes as they are heavy.
III. Attach Acoustic Foam Panels
You only need to stick acoustic foam panels onto the hollow door like fiberglass. Use a strong adhesive or screws to prevent them from coming of position or falling when the door is busy. Most studios prefer acoustic foam panels because they prevent noise from leaving or coming into the room perfectly.
They come in different thicknesses and designs. Consider the thicker ones as they work better. Also, look for a design that will match your room’s interior and theme.
IV. Paint it with Sound-Absorbing Paint
Sound-absorbing paint also works like magic in concealing noise from a hollow door. Applying it is simple. Use a spray gun, roller, or brush to apply it onto the hollow door. Be careful of the color you use. It should match with other doors and your room’s interior décor.
The paint comes thicker than ordinary paint. If confused about using it, read the manufacturer’s application manual. The paint can block approximately 30% of the home’s noise, making it an excellent soundproofing material.
V. Seal Cracks on the Door
Sound passes through cracks and other small spaces. It is advisable to seal any opening, small or big, found on your hollow door to prevent sound from passing through it. Otherwise, your soundproofing efforts will be useless. Caulk or other ideal sealants will work out best.
Conclusion
As discussed above, noise in our rooms can be a nuisance. Sound in our space can be from many sources, and hollow doors rank high on the list. They allow noise to pass through easily. Fortunately, as discussed above, there are ways of soundproofing hollow doors.
If you want to reduce the amount of sound or noise entering and leaving your room, you need to soundproof your door, as discussed above. Use the above guide. If you follow it to the latter, the results will be successful.
