Soundproof an Interior Door (With 4 easy ways)

So, are you thinking about soundproofing an interior door and do not really know where to start? Well, it is necessary to first understand that interior doors are usually constructed with a hollow core and are very light compared to an exterior door that are heavier and more massive.

That being said, it is a lot easier for noise to pass through an interior door and will ultimately require more intense soundproofing. I had mostly interior doors around my home, and I could hear sounds from other rooms, and it sounded like there were no doors at all.

Replacing doors in my home would cost me a pretty penny, so soundproofing what I already have is a smarter and more cost-effective alternative.

I found a couple of feasible alternatives to share with you that will save you a lot of headaches. In this article, I will share with you some soundproofing secrets for interior doors and hopefully solve your sound woes in the most effective manner.

Let’s get to it.

1.  Use Soundproofing Blankets

Yes, soundproofing blankets. On the doors. Like, no joke. Also known as moving blankets, they are a rather reasonable solution to the noise. Some people refer to them as acoustic blankets as they are well known for doing a good job absorbing sound.

Simply put, they are super duper thick and heavy blankets that are designed for the sole purpose of absorbing any sound that may be on its way to my room.

Have a sliding door? These might completely solve the problem or maybe cut the noise in half.

Logically, the more layers of blanket there are, the better the insulation will be. In conclusion, adding an extra layer of fortification will significantly decrease excess noise. Usually, one layer of acoustic blankets will help, but if the noise is still present, by all means add more.

Acoustic blankets, or moving blankets, are pretty freakin’ big, and luckily, they belong to a pretty suitable price range. You definitely can find some you like for around $30-$40.

The design is not the most pleasant on the eyes, but that does not mean that there are not more beautiful ones to be sought out. I hope to not only benefit from noise insulation but improve the overall appearance of my room.

Nonetheless, they will still be used as a solid solution for a potential thermal leak, which could save you hundreds in the long run.

2. Cover the Gaps and Plug the Holes

I am fully aware that spaces left open and uncovered can release enough noise to ruin your focus or sleep. Now, think about what happens with interior doors and possibly even bigger uncovered gaps.

Interior doors are different from regular doors, so by default, gaps are more prevalent in them. Therefore, the same methods used with regular doors cannot be used with interior doors. Do not lose hope yet there are a few tricks that may work surprisingly well.

For instance, small gaps in the frame of the door can be covered using weatherstripping tape. The hardest part will be soundproofing the space between the door and the floor.

I understand that some people have sliding doors, and some of these methods just may not work with doors that need to slide. But, if the gap in the space between the floor and door is larger than it should be, then an adjustable door sweep can be used.

However, I am not really in favor of using door sweeps for interior doors. But, in a circumstance that would prompt me to go with a door sweep, I would shoot for one that is the most multi-faceted. Something that is easy to install myself and preferably self-adhesive.

If I wanted to reduce thermal leak, prevent bugs and other nasty creepy crawlies from infesting my room and, reduce noise, the door sweep is the way to go. The only real downside that I can think of is the door sweep making the sliding kind of difficult.

3. Buy Some Soundproofing Curtains and Hang Them

Curtains on the doors? You’re probably thinking that I’m nuts or really just don’t have any fashion sense, but trust me on this one. If I can solve my noise problems with them, well, why not? You can find some sexy soundproofing curtains with some pretty neat colors and designs.

The soundproofing curtains will fight noise like no other, but I will say, they require a bit more up-front effort and will be worth it. They have the thickness that can drastically reduce noise. They are typically used to soundproof windows but will work just as well on doors.

All I have to do is install a curtain rod and buy soundproofing curtains that have eyelets. In order to get the most sound reduction, ensure that the curtains are big enough to cover the entire door. Soundproofing curtains will absolutely diminish any airborne noise.

With that said, this all depends on the level and types of noise. Soundproofing curtains are great for medium and high sound frequencies but are not the greatest with low frequencies.

4. Employ Acoustic Panels

Acoustic panels are usually used in soundproofing for recording and studio purposes. There are foam panels that are effective in reducing echo, and then there are fiberglass panels that block noise.

For soundproofing purposes, I would go with the fiberglass panels. Naturally, I would do both to reduce the echo and block the noise simultaneously. Fiberglass panels do cost a little bit more, but they are an amazing solution to the noise problems brought about by the interior doors.

Fiberglass panels make bedrooms look glamorous. They are prettier than foam panels and are better for vibrating and low-frequency sounds. Fiberglass panels are outstanding thermal insulators, shockproof, and moistureproof.

To be honest, they are not the easiest to install. Often times they will not be self-adhesive, but you will have to stick them to the surface using Green Glue noise proofing glue. Command strips are effective too. Two on the back of each one will do.

They are easier to remove if you use the command strips instead of Green glue. Fiberglass panels are relatively cheap, but please ensure that the doors are measured before ordering. Spend liberally. The panels can always be cut to the perfect size to fit perfectly where they need to be.

Panels are used regularly in the music industry in recording studios and will definitely soundproof your interior doors too.

Final Thoughts

Soundproofing interior doors is not rocket science, but some methods are definitely harder than others and will require some leg work but, is there a dollar sign on peace of mind?

Forget buying new doors and replacing the ones in my house. All the ideas above are affordable and quicker; no more than $60 tops should be spent. These ideas have made my home more peaceful, and hopefully they will make your home more peaceful.