4 Ways to Soundproof French Glass Doors (Effective)


French doors are a beautiful addition to any room. But many people find that they let in a lot of noise. The good news is that there are several effective options for soundproofing your French doors.

Some of them take some time and investment, but many others are simple solutions that anyone can do independently. If the noise coming into your home is irritating you, you may want to consider one of these methods of soundproofing your French doors. 

Why French Doors Let Sound In

French glass doors are large doors fitted with glass, usually leading out to a patio or garden. Although they are visually beautiful and let in a lot of light, they can also let in excess of sound. Most French doors are made of single-pane glass, which is relatively thin. What is more, the glass’s large size and the surface area mean that there are longer gaps around the door. These, too, let soundwaves in more easily. 

 

The difficulty with soundproofing French doors is effectively dampening sound without ruining the aesthetics. Here are some simple ways to cut back on the noise without affecting how the space looks. 

The Methods

Soundproof Curtains 

Soundproof curtains are one of the best and simplest ways to soundproof French doors.

You can find these curtains almost anywhere for an affordable price, I recommend the Amazon basics soundproof curtains, they are really decent for the price.

The key is to make sure that the curtains cover your French doors from top to bottom. This will ensure complete insulation from sounds — both inside and outside. 

Soundproof curtains are thick and heavy, so they can also block out some light. To combat this, consider buying ones in a lighter color. This will help you insulate against sound without blocking out light and plunging your house into darkness. 

There are several types of soundproof curtains, so make sure to buy the right ones. Double-check that they are the correct size and style before you buy. Some people also buy two panels for their French doors instead of one. This ensures that you have double protection and full coverage. 

Soundproof curtains are not 100 percent effective. You will still have some noise audible through the door. They dampen sound rather than altogether cancel it.

But well-installed, good-quality soundproof curtains have been shown to reduce noise levels by up to 75 percent. If you are bothered by noise from your street or yard, they can be a very effective solution. 

Filling Gaps 

One of the reasons why French doors let sounds out is that they may have gaps around the edges. Not only does this let sound in and out, but it may also compromise your home’s energy usage by allowing hot and cold air out. There are several ways to address this. 

One way to fill the gaps around your French doors is to use a special sealant: Acoustical caulk.  As the name implies, the sealant fills the gaps around a door or window to help provide extra insulation. 

Be sure that you buy an acoustic sealant, which is made specifically to help block out sound. This sort of sealant is similar to caulk and is a permanent fixture around your doors. 

If you prefer another method, you can also install weather stripping around your doors. This uses the same basic principle to patch the gaps and keep sound and air from moving through them. The critical difference is that weatherstripping is an adhesive rather than a caulk, usually made of foam or rubber. 

All you have to do is peel off the backing and stick the adhesive side around your windows. Weatherstripping kits can be found online and are very affordable. 

Moving Blankets 

Moving blankets are to protect furniture and other items, especially in storage. But they have another effective use: they are excellent at deadening soundwaves. 

When moving blankets cover furniture and other surfaces, they reduce the number of hard surfaces for sound waves to encounter. Some people install them directly on the walls. However, you probably won’t want to do that in your home since it drastically changes the look of the space. 

There are plenty of other ways to use moving blankets, though. You can put them over furniture or on shelves. Some people even find ways to install them in ceilings or alcoves to muffle the sound.

If you are less concerned about the look around your French glass doors, you can even lay a moving blanket on the floor in front of them. This might not be as aesthetically pleasing, but it is an effective way to cut back on noise levels. 

Make sure that you buy the right type of moving blankets. The most effective kind is thick polyester and usually has stitches in a chevron pattern for long-term durability. You may need to replace them when they become frayed, as they can lose effectiveness over time.

Soundproof Door Sweeps

You have probably seen a door sweep in someone’s house. Maybe you even have one on one of your doors. They are usually used to keep drafts and insects from coming in from outside. But they are also an extremely effective way to soundproof a door. 

It might seem unbelievable that the small gaps around your door let so much noise in and out. But believe it or not, an effective door sweep can reduce the noise coming into your home as much as five times.

There are many different types of door sweeps, I recommend this door weather stripping and door sweep, made especially to reduce noise.

You can even make one yourself if you need a quick and straightforward solution. However, the most effective ones are reinforced rubber. This ensures that the door sweep stays in place without slipping and effectively blocks noise from entering your home.

Reinforced Glass 

french doors with reinforced glass

Most French glass doors are thin single-pane glass. If your days (or worse, your nights) are disrupted by the noise coming into your home, you may want to consider renovating. 

Renovation is a costly and time-consuming option that requires a professional contractor. However, it might be worth it for you. If you have tried multiple other soundproofing methods and none of them have worked for you, it could be a good option. 

 

One of the upsides of renovating your French doors is that you can enjoy a quieter home without ruining the look of your windows. Having a double-glazed French door installed might be the single best way of dampening sound waves from coming into your home. The downside, of course, is that it is the most expensive and time-consuming option.

Conclusion

French glass doors are a beautiful feature in a home, keeping rooms beautifully bright. There is a reason why real estate agents consider them a selling point! But they can become a hassle if they are keeping your home from being peaceful by letting in outside noise.

The good news is that there are many options for soundproofing French glass doors. These include both simple DIY options and ones that require the work of a professional. If you have a comment or question about soundproofing French doors, please leave it below!

 

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