Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Change the surface of the door
• Method 2 of 3: Plug holes in the door
• Method 3 of 3: Apply weather strips around the door
• Tips
• Warnings

Your home is supposed to be a place where you can relax and unwind - so loud outside noises can be very disturbing. Reduce those distractions by soundproofing all of your doors. You can even opt for a basic solution, such as placing a mat in front of the door. When it comes to an exterior door, replacing all the insulation can be another good option. Keep trying solutions until you find the one that works for you.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Change the surface of the door

1. Hang curtains in front of the door. Install a short curtain rod in the house directly above your door. Make sure you have a heavy curtain and hang it from the rod. You can buy curtains made of sound-absorbing fabric. When in the room, simply slide the curtain in front of the door to reduce outside noise.
   • This is a particularly good option for tenants who are not allowed to completely change the surface of the door or the hinges and locks.
   • After installing the curtains, test the opening and closing of the door several times to see if they affect the operation of the door. Try to open the door quickly to see how the curtains affect the door if there is an emergency and you have to leave.
2. Paint the door with sound-absorbing paint. Ask a hardware store for sound-absorbing interior paint. Choose one that matches the existing color of your doors in terms of color. Follow the directions on the can for applying it. It will be very similar to standard paint, but could be a bit thicker.
   • A coating of sound-absorbing paint can reduce external noise by nearly 30 percent. The paint also ensures that sounds from the inside can no longer come out.
   • Remove the door from the hinges and paint outside to apply multiple coats.
3. Install foam tiles. Buy interlocking soundproof tiles from a hardware store or music store. Depending on the tiles, you will need to attach them to your door using screws, staples or glue. Make sure they are tight or they may fall off due to the movement of the door. Acoustic tiles come in different noise reduction levels, so choose the highest for the best sound insulation.
   • Another option is to purchase and attach rubber floor tiles to the back of your door. They may be easier to find, but they do not provide effective noise reduction.
   • If you live in a rental property, use self-adhesive Velcro on the back of the foam tiles and on the wall.
4. Hang a mass loaded vinyl (MLV) barrier. This is a thick roll of vinyl sold by music or acoustics stores. Measure your door and cut the vinyl to size with a utility knife. Attach the vinyl to the door using construction adhesive, which can be purchased at any hardware store. Wait for the glue to dry and your door is soundproof.
   • MLV is excellent in terms of noise reduction, but it comes with a price tag. You will probably have to spend at least $ 2 per square foot on low quality MLV. Costs rise for thicker barriers.
   • MLV is available in thicknesses from 1.5 to 6.3 mm. The thicker rolls are more expensive and heavier to hang from doors. However, they provide the best protection.

Method 2 of 3: Plug holes in the door

1. Check for holes with a flashlight. Turn off all lights in both rooms around the door. Ask a friend to stand on the other side of the door when you close the door. Let them shine a flashlight around the edges of the door and across the surface. Make note of where a lot of light is coming through, as this is also where the sound can pass.
   • Don't expect to be able to block out all the light or fill every hole in the door. Instead, focus on a few clear openings and see how that improves sound insulation.
2. Seal holes. Use a caulking gun and fill it up with fresh wood sealant. Look around the door frame for small cracks or holes. If you see one, place the end of the syringe against it and squeeze the sealant into it. Wipe off any excess with a putty knife. The sealant will help absorb the sound and prevent it from being heard through the door.
   • Use clear silicone around windows in your door. This will help reduce noise and keep cold air from entering.
3. Install a weatherstrip. Make sure the weatherstrip between your door and the floor is sturdy and covers the entire area. You need a weatherstrip that is not torn. He just needs to wipe the floor lightly when the door opens and closes. To replace it, first remove the old strip. Then you install a new one by just screwing it into the bottom of the door.
   • Another option is an automatic door bottom. This appliance lowers when the door closes and rises when it opens. It uses a spring for these movements, so many people hire a professional for the installation.
4. Place a rug in the hallway. If the door opens on a tile or wood floor, the sound will likely bounce off this area and enter the room. Limit this by placing a rug or mat in front of the door. This will help dampen and absorb the sound coming from under the door.
5. Replace the glass with triple glass. Glass is notorious for transferring sounds from one room to another. If your door has large windows, they probably aren't suitable for soundproofing. To minimize the noise, have the windows replaced by a professional and have thick, triple glazing in them.
   • Know that triple glazing may not have the same clarity as you are used to. Ask your installer what the glass will look like in your door before agreeing to anything.
6. Only hang doors that are not hollow. Most interior doors are made of light wood or chipboard. They are usually partially or completely hollow on the inside. This means that they transmit sound very easily. If you are interested in soundproofing, it is worth investing in solid or solid wood doors.

Method 3 of 3: Apply weather strips around the door

1. Remove old strips. You will find draft strips on most exterior doors, where the door meets the frame. These can enclose the entire frame or only part of it. Use a putty knife to remove the old plastic strips. For metal strips, you usually have to unscrew the pieces before you can remove them from the door.
   • Before removing all old weatherstripping, you should have a plan to replace them. Without strips, not only outside noise, but also dirt can enter the house.
2. Choose new metal or plastic strips. As a rule, metal strips are more expensive, but they will last more than 30 years. However, it also takes more effort to install it. Plastic strips, on the other hand, are cheaper and often come with a self-adhesive strip on the back for easy installation.
   • Draft strips usually come in a variety of colors, so you can choose something that matches your frame.
   • You can also use compression strips as an effective way to soundproof your door.
3. Install the new strips. Read the instructions carefully. Measure the frame in advance. Cut the strips into pieces of the correct length. Place the new strip against the wood and attach it with the glue or small screws or nails on the back. Make sure to keep the strips flat against the wood as you install them.
   • You can cut plastic strips with a knife. You need pliers to cut the metal.
   • Metal strips often have holes to indicate where to screw or nail them into the wooden frame of the door.
4. Test the strips to see if they fit properly. Once you have installed the strips, close the door completely to see if you feel any resistance. The door should close smoothly and completely. If you notice problems, open the door again. Inspect the strips for stains or scratches. Look closely at the damaged areas to make sure they are flush against the door frame.

Tips

• Once you have completed a few noise reduction steps, test the result using a decibel meter or a decibel meter application on your phone. This device will tell you exactly how much noise is coming past your door. Ideally, the meter will only indicate a value of 10 to 20 decibels.
• Try to be as patient as possible with soundproofing. You may have to try several options before you find the best solution.
• If you are soundproofing a steel door, spray a rubber underlayment for cars on both sides. You can then paint it over with lacquer paint.

Warnings

• If you're renting, make sure to discuss permanent changes with the landlord before getting started. This can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.