Soundproofing your apartment door can be done in a variety of ways. If you are concerned with the sound coming into and out of your home, it is important to know that there are many different ways to go about this.
Some people choose to place a heavy carpet to their doorway, while others may want to invest in sound-absorbing panels. The materials used are entirely up to you!
In order to create more and better ideas, you must separate creation from evaluation, coming up with lots of ideas first, then judging their worth later.
Sealing Cracks and Gaps
You can seal any cracks and gaps in the door. First, you’ll need to locate the crack and gaps, but this could be hard and tricky sometimes.
Waiting till nightfall and a darkened room is the best option. Next, add some lighting to the door’s other side. These are the cracks and crevices you need to seal if there are any light leaks. There are numerous techniques to seal any holes or cracks you detect in your door.
Applying a sealer properly to the door frame will yield the greatest results. Remember to do this on both sides of the door!
Use airtight sealants alone, as they work best for this application. It’s also important to remember that these sealants can be painted, so you can do so either before or after using them.
For the small gaps and cracks use Red Devil Foam & Fill Small Gaps & Cracks, if they are any larger defects we suggest you use Loctite TITE FOAM Insulating Foam Sealant.
Soundproof Blanket
The best soundproof blankets are usually made of fiberglass, which is a much better insulator than foam and will prevent sound from traveling through doors into your apartment.
Soundproof blankets can also be very thick and heavy and are suitable for use in high-noise environments. For light, to medium-noise residential areas, normal fiberglass soundproofing will suffice, although if the area is particularly noisy then a thicker and heavier blanket must be used.
The best way to attach your blanket is by hanging it on the door with special hooks. The blanket should be as close to the door as possible and, where applicable, hang it from both sides of the door.
Blankets can also be fixed directly onto your door using screws if necessary. This way you won’t be able to remove the blanket easily as if it was hung on the hooks.
Remember that thicker and heavier blankets like Audimute Sound Absorption Sheet will offer the most significant decrease in noise.
Weatherstrip Tape
Do you think that adding weatherstrip tape on top of your door could be beneficial?
Yes, that’s right! You can use weatherstrip tape on your door to soundproof it. This tape is made to seal your garage door from natural elements.
Since it contains fiberglass, it can also do the same thing for your apartment door and as a bonus soundproof it.
This will create a seal that decreases the amount of outside noise, such as voices and noises from your hallway or neighbors. Having this feature is very beneficial if you live in an apartment complex where there are tons of kids running around every day!
Before you go out and buy weatherstrip tape, make sure that you have a clear understanding of what type of weather-resistant tape to buy. Is there sound insulation? Is it waterproof or water-resistant? For the best results, we suggest you check Duck Brand Self Adhesive Foam Weatherstrip Tape.
When installing the weatherstrip tape, make sure to compress it well in order to create a tight seal between the tape and the door.
Install a Door Sweep
Another way to soundproof a door is to install a door sweep. A door sweep is a type of weatherstripping that attaches to the bottom of the exterior door, where the threshold is.
It works by trapping air from outside to the inside of the house in order to create an even “air seal” around the perimeter of the doorway. This prevents noise from traveling through and spoiling your peace and quiet.
A door sweep like Suptikes 2 Pack Door Draft Stopper can be easily installed using a few basic tools, in about five minutes or less. All you’ll need is a tape measure and scissors.
Firstly, measure the width of your door sweep. Once you have taken the measurement, remove the backing from the adhesive and stick it onto your door. If it is cold outside, use a hairdryer to preheat the door sweep. Do this for a brief period before trying to attach it so that it will adhere properly.
Door Gasket
If you are willing to spend more money to soundproof your door, you can get a door gasket. This will stop the noise from coming through the door and make it quieter for you inside your apartment.
The door gasket works like weatherstrip tape but is mostly installed at the headers and the jambs of the door. They act as a barrier to stop sound, light, and moisture from coming through the door.
You have to install these right for them to work properly so take time to read the instructions on how to install a door gasket before you do anything.
Put a Rug
Rugs will make your floor quieter. This is because they stop the sound from moving through it. By putting a thick rug at your doorway, you are reducing the amount of sound going into your apartment. This will be very effective against noises that occur in your hallway, like those from neighbors or the elevator.
An extra thick rug like one from the Hudson Shag Collection, will not only help in soundproofing your doorstep but will bring a unique coziness to your home.
As you might already know, combining any other type of door soundproofing with such a rug will make them a lot more effective. Be aware that the thicker the rug, the better soundproofing performance it will be able to deliver for your home.
Install Foam Panels
You could soundproof your apartment door by putting special sound-absorbing foam panels on it. This is a cheap and easy way to soundproof the apartment door and a good solution when you don’t want to spend extra money on a fiberglass soundproofing blanket.
It is good to mention that foam panels come in different sizes, colors, and shapes. There are even some that come pre-cut so you can easily install them.
The best way to install the sound-absorbing panels is by using command strips. This way, you won’t make any holes in your door when installing it.
Noise-Reducing Curtains
Yes, that’s right. Sound-reducing curtains. They are not a new invention, they have been around for quite some time now and they work wonders!
Noise-reducing curtains are the perfect way to soundproof your door. These curtains will reduce the noise and make it so you can’t hear outside as much. Even if they are invented for windows soundproofing, they can still work well on doors.
First off, don’t think “oh yeah I’ll get some cheap ones from the local store”, no, you must get a high-quality soundproof curtain. They are manufactured in a wide range of qualities and then you have to decide what kind (or thickness) you want if it’s blackout or soundproofing only…
It is recommended to get high-quality curtains like NICETOWN Microfiber Noise Reducing Thermal Insulated because they will last longer than the cheap ones, and also the difference in price between low and high quality doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
However, as mentioned before, they aren’t just for window soundproofing! They are effective in reducing noise on doors, for thermal insulation, and also in blocking light.
Mass loaded vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl is normally used in high traffic areas because it has a very high NRC rating, meaning that the material will be able to absorb more noise than almost any other material would without affecting its integrity. This makes it ideal for use indoors, making sure that no unwanted noise leaks through.
It is one of the best soundproofing materials on the market because it has a high mass to surface area ratio which gives it excellent sound absorption qualities.
You can put it on the door, and it will make the noise quieter and will stop some sound from getting through. If needed, you can use more than just one layer for more soundproofing. Mass-loaded vinyl is very easy to install, so you can do it yourself and don’t have to pay any money for a professional.
However, mass-loaded vinyl is not cheap at all, which could be a problem for some people.
Get a New Solid Door
Buying and installing a new solid door! This solution may be more expensive than what someone initially intends to spend on soundproofing their apartment, but it is the most effective.
All the other methods and materials that will be discussed in this article are designed to lessen sound, but solid doors are designed to almost completely block it. The main reason that a solid door is more effective at soundproofing than others, has more to do with physics than anything else.
Because solid doors are thick and heavy, they can easily withstand changes in air pressure brought on by external factors and cause sound waves to reflect off of them. The sound can simply pass straight through a hollow door if it is constructed of cheap material.
It’s usually a good idea to consult a professional installer before you start your job because properly installing an apartment door is essential to minimize damaging noise.
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to reduce the amount of noise coming from your apartment door, there are many different ways that can be used. Whether it’s sound-absorbing panels or mass-loaded vinyl, these materials should provide some benefit for reducing excessive noise pollution in a home.
If none of these methods seem like they will work for what you need, then installing a new solid door is highly recommended because this method will be able to block out all unwanted sounds and keep them away from your living space.