Want to learn how to soundproof a hollow door? Hollow doors are common everywhere and most of the interior doors we use today are hollow.
Fortunately, they are great for cost-saving, but the downside is that they often leak unwanted noise.
Luckily, different methods will allow you to significantly reduce unwanted noise coming through the hollow door.
Let’s get started.
DIY Hacks on How to Soundproof a Hollow Door
Below are some of the best and recommended methods on how to soundproof a hollow door.
These hacks are inexpensive and highly effective in blocking yard noise coming through the door, or fridge noise in the kitchen leaking through the door.
1. Seal All the Cracks on the Door
The first step to soundproofing a door is sealing all the cracks and gaps on the door.
Never underestimate the power of a crack or gaps on your door, no matter their sizes, as they have the most capability of letting in noise from the outside.
Inspect the door frame as this is the area where the cracks are likely to be.
Once you have found them, you need to consider a product you can use to sell them, such as weather-stripping tape.
The tape is self-adhesive, which means you don’t have to purchase an adhesive to attach the tape to the door.
Before installing the tape, you need to clean the area around the cracks to remove dirt and debris.
You should also allow the area to dry up first if you used water to clean it; otherwise, the tape won’t stick properly.
Once you have installed the tape, give it some time before closing or opening the door.
It would help if you used a door sweep or a door stopper for the gaps beneath the door and the floor.
Besides acting as a soundproofing product, these products are also thermal insulated.
Remember, a hollow door allows noise to get into a room by gaps, and cracks easily intensifies the noise.
2. Add Mass to the Door
Adding mass to the door is a great idea when it comes to soundproofing a hollow door.
An excellent product to use is mass loaded vinyl because it is strong, and you can easily install it without a professional’s help.
Vinyl is highly effective at minimizing the noise coming through the hollow door thanks to its soundproofing properties.
The first step to installing mass loaded vinyl foam is purchasing it.
Since they are not self-adhesive, you will need to purchase nails, glue, or other means of attaching them to the door.
If you intend to use glue, purchase green glue since it’s highly effective and it’s also a soundproofing product.
You can also use soundproof foams to add mass to the door as they are much cheaper than vinyl, and they work the same way.
The foams are self-adhesive, which means you won’t spend extra money purchasing an adhesive to stick the foam to the door.
- The first step to installing the mass to the door is removing the door from its frame, then placing it on a flat surface, preferably the floor.
- Remove one panel of the hollow door using a knife.
- Apply the green glue to one part of the mass-loaded vinyl, then attach it to the door.
- If you intend to use soundproof foams, you don’t have to apply the glue as it already has an adhesive.
- Once you have applied, place the removed panel on the door on top of the mass-loaded vinyl, then allow the glue to dry.
- Before attaching the door to its frame, replace the weak hinges with stronger ones since the door will be heavier.
After hanging the door, you will notice a major difference in the noise coming through the door.
3. Use Soundproof Curtains
You can also use soundproof curtains on your door as a way of soundproofing it.
The curtains are made of acoustic properties that absorb noise and reduce noise getting into a room.
When purchasing these curtains, ensure you go for thick and dense ones because they have a better chance of minimizing noise.
Most soundproof curtains also have blackout properties, which minimize the amount of light coming into a room.
So if you prefer a darker room to help you focus, choose blackout curtains.
Another advantage of soundproof curtains is that they are visually appealing, so besides reducing noise, you can improve your home’s appearance.
When installing the curtains, ensure you cover from a couple of inches to the door from each side to increase the chances of noise reduction.
4. Use Fiberglass Panels
Fiberglass panels are also an excellent example of noise reduction.
The panels are similar to curtains and acoustic foams and are attached similarly.
The panels are good at absorbing, blocking, and reflecting noise coming in through the door.
5. Use a Door Rug
A door rug absorbs noise and vibrations coming in through the door.
Place the rug near the doorway to dampen the noise.
The rugs not only absorb the noise but also adds to the visual appeal of the home.
When purchasing the rugs, ensure you go for the ones that are thick and heavy.
Ensure you also place them on both sides of the door to increase their efficiency.
Placing the rugs on each side ensures the noise bounces off instead of coming in through the door.
6. Use Soundproof Blankets
Soundproof blankets are also good at absorbing and minimizing noise coming into your home.
The blankets are made of soundproofing properties that absorb any noise, including vibrations from the outside.
However, unlike soundproof curtains, the blankets are not aesthetically pleasing, which may not make your room attractive.
When installing the blanket, ensure you cover the whole door from top to bottom to increase the chances of noise reduction.
When hanging the blankets, use Velcro but ensure it goes well with the blanket’s material to avoid damaging the fibers.
7. Fill the Door with Insulation Foam
You can also fill the hollow door with an insulation foam (such as acoustic foam panels) as a way to soundproof it.
- To start, make small holes on the edges of the hollow door,
- Then spray the foam inside of these holes and allow it to fill up through expansion.
- Cover the holes using tapes as soon as you have filled them up to prevent the foam from releasing outwards.
8. Install Solid Core Door
If everything else fails or feels soundproofing, the door is too much, consider changing the door to something much stronger.
A solid door has a higher chance of minimizing noise from getting into your room.
You can change the door yourself or have a professional do it for you.
Remember, a solid door contains soundproofing materials that make it highly effective at blocking noise.
On How to Soundproof a Hollow Door
A hollow door can be quite a nuisance in letting noise through.
Above are some of the best methods on how to soundproof a hollow door.
For best results, I would recommend that you combine different methods to achieve good results.
Alternatively, you can opt for a solid core door that would otherwise be expensive.
Any other hack that you have tried and not listed on this guide? Let me know.