In this article, I will show you different ways on how to soundproof a door with household items.
If you’re on a budget or probably don’t want to interfere with your rented unit’s structural integrity, then using household items to reduce noise coming through the door is the only viable option.
However, it’s important to note that using household items won’t fully soundproof the door.
Fortunately, you will be able to reduce outside unwanted noise to manageable levels.
DIY Hacks on How to Soundproof A Door with Household Items
Below are some of the tested and proven methods that will help reduce noise coming through the door.
It’s important to note that you can also implement these hacks when soundproofing a hollow door.
They include:
1. Use Carpet and Rugs
Carpets and rugs are a cheap means of soundproofing your door since they are readily available at home.
You can use the carpets and rugs in different ways, adding mass to the door.
What you need to do is attach them to the door using glue or nails.
If you intend to use glue, make sure you go for the best such as green glue.
Besides being an adhesive, the glue has soundproofing properties, so ass you add mass, you will also minimize the room’s noise.
It would be best if you use carpets since they are made of heavier materials compared to rugs.
The carpet materials also help in the absorption of sound waves from the outside, so the noise reaching your ears will be much less.
The shaggier the carpet is, the better chance it has at minimizing noise.
The other way you can use the carpet on the door is by placing it on both sides of the doorway.
Placing the carpets on both sides of the door ensures each side’s vibrational noise is absorbed effectively before reaching inside the house.
If you have carpet underlay at home, you can place them below the carpet such that it is between the floor and the carpet.
You can also attach the carpet underlay on your door using an adhesive as a way to add mass to the door.
2. Make Use of Your Furniture
In our previous article on soundproofing a dorm room, we mentioned how rearranging furniture is important.
You can also use the available furniture to your advantage.
All you have to do is switch the positions of the furniture in the house.
If the door that is letting in the noise is the one you don’t use, you can place heavy furniture such as couches or wardrobe against it.
You can also place your bookshelf against the door then fill it with books to increase the chances of blocking the noise.
Using furniture as a means of noise reduction is that you need to move them, and doing it alone can be difficult.
This method only works well on the unused door; for a used door, you should consider other soundproofing means.
3. Hang Curtains on the Door
Use available curtains in your home to soundproof the door by hanging them on the door.
You can also hang drapes on your door as they are not only for the window.
What you need to do is install curtains rods above the door’s frame then hang the drapes.
When hanging the curtains, ensure you choose the one that is long enough to touch the floor to increase its efficiency at noise reduction.
If you have thicker curtains, that will be better for the door since a thicker fabric can absorb and deaden noise.
However, don’t worry if you don’t have thicker curtains as the regular ones can work just fine.
4. Paint the Door
Another way you can soundproof your door is by painting it using soundproof paint.
You are probably wondering how the painting will change the amount of noise coming into the house.
The paint adds to the thickness of the door, which increases the chances of noise reduction.
When applying the paint, ensure you apply several layers to the door to make it thicker.
Keep in mind that painting your door not only decreases noise coming in but also adds to the visual appeal of your home.
Also, painting the door is a good way of protecting it against damaging environmental conditions.
If you happen to have soundproofing paint in your home, you don’t need the regular paint.
Soundproofing paint contains acoustic properties that help in noise reduction.
5. Use Green Glue
If you have green glue left over after a construction project in your home, you can use it to seal cracks on the door.
Green glue is an adhesive but also a soundproofing product that is effective at minimizing noise.
Inspect the door for any crack that might be letting in noise.
Ensure you focus between the door and the frame, as this is a notorious place for cracks and gaps.
Once you have found the cracks, you need to clean them properly by removing dirt, debris, or any other thing that could interfere with the glue.
If you clean these areas with water, ensure you let it dry first before applying the glue.
Once you have applied a good amount of the glue, let it dry first before opening or closing the door.
If you don’t have the glue, you can ask your neighbor for some or use a bathroom sealant as it works in the same way.
6. Green Glue Alternatives
If you don’t have glue or a sealant, you can use regular tape to seal the cracks.
A tape is an easy and cheap means of noise reduction, which, when appropriately applied, the tape will reduce noise significantly.
When choosing a tape, ensure you go for the thickest as it effectively reduces noise.
You can also add wallpaper on the door then attach it with the tape if you don’t want your door to have a funny look.
You can use interior door sweeps to seal the gap between the door frame and the floor.
7. Use the Old Blankets
Don’t underestimate the importance of the old blankets in your home.
Use these blankets to cover the door as a way of adding thickness to it.
If you have moving blankets, the better but the regular blankets will work just fine.
Hang the blankets on the door and ensure it covers the whole door until the floor.
If the blankets are thick, the better.
Keep in mind that blankets are not the best at noise reduction, but you will definitely notice the difference in noise coming through it.
7. Use Mattresses and Pillows
If you have extra mattresses and pillows in the house, you can use them on your door to minimize the noise.
Place them against the door as a way to add mass to it.
Using mattress and pillows is a quick means of noise reduction, especially at night when you have no other option.
Make sure you use place something heavy against the mattress when you place the mattresses on the door.
On How to Soundproof A Door with Household Items
If you’re on a budget, it’s understandable that using the household option is the last resort.
Above are the best methods on how to soundproof a door with household items. They are also effective when soundproofing your drum room door.
It only takes a little creativity and a few hours of your time to reduce noise coming through the door.
For the best result, I would recommend combining multiple hacks simultaneously.