In this post, I’ll walk you through 11 cost-effective ways that I’ve used to soundproof doors for my apartment as well as other soundproofing projects.

Moreover, I’ll also throw some light on costs to help get an idea of the budget that you need to allocate for the project- soundproofing a door.

I’ve mentioned quite a few times on this blog that my father bought an apartment in the vicinity of an airport, and things started worsening until he found the solution in the form of soundproofing.

Trust me, soundproofing the doors of your apartment in the correct way can help you to achieve the epitome of silence.

Of course, you can’t ignore the windows:)

I’ve been working as a soundproof consultant for over a decade now, and during this course of time, I’ve found that most house owners are ready to spend a good chunk of money on soundproofing projects irrespective of what they earn.

In order to achieve a quiet ambiance, house owners spend time, money, and energy.

But, do we REALLY need a hell lot of money to soundproof a door?

Well, I don’t think so.

I’ve been a part of megaprojects where companies used to spend thousands of dollars on soundproofing projects.

At the same time, I was also part of individual projects where the house owners requested to soundproof the door in the cheapest way.

So, I think I’m the correct person to help you guide with the soundproofing door project.

To negate the confusion that surrounds the soundproofing door projects, I’ve decided to help you with a detailed costing at the end of this post, so that you can plan accordingly.

Before we dive deep into the process, let’s figure out why soundproofing a door is so important for any soundproof project; big or small.

 When it comes to soundproofing a room or an apartment, it goes without saying that windows & doors are two important passages to the external world. 

So, closing all the holes, gaps, and cracks can prevent the movement of air from the room to the outside world and vice-versa.

As a result, you’ll find a tangible decrease in the external as well as airborne noises.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen clients ignoring the doorways when it comes to soundproofing.

  To be honest, none of the soundproofing projects can see a ray of hope if the doorways are ignored. 

Rather than ignoring doorways for soundproofing or pushing it to the last, I would highly recommend considering the soundproofing door project on a priority basis.

The good news is that it isn’t expensive at all.

If done right, you can completely soundproof your door in quite a few amounts.

If you’re inquisitive about the amount spent in soundproofing a door, then I would request you to stay with me till the end.

I’ll give you a budget that you can consider as a benchmark for the soundproof door project.

At times, I work from home, so I decided to soundproof my home office.

Unlike many of my clients, I was well aware of the fact that doors and windows are the two most important areas to consider.

I paid special attention to soundproofing my office doors & windows.

If you’re the one who works from home, then you must be well aware of the importance of a quiet working environment.

I don’t know about others but I get distracted with unwanted noise, and it has happened in the past that the distraction had cost me an entire day.

As a professional no one wants a day with no productivity, right?

Compared to doors, windows are easy to soundproof, so I started with it, and once done I found a tangible difference.

Nonetheless, soon I realized that the soundproofing door was the need of the hour.

Especially I used to get distracted by the footsteps of the ones roaming in the hallway.

So, without wasting any time, I started soundproofing a door project.

Since I had prior experience it didn’t take much time to complete the project.

Trust me, I got an amazing result.

I was more than happy with the outcome of this small yet important project because the end result far exceeded my expectations.

Well, to a great extent, I give the credit of my success to the mistakes that I made while I was soundproofing my office windows.

I learned from those mistakes and didn’t repeat them in the “soundproof door” project.

This article is gonna be the gist of my experience as a soundproof consultant. 

Some were highly successful while the rest weren’t as per my expectation.

I’ve tried to share all my learnings in this blog post.

Remember, all the soundproofing projects are different, so you need to be careful while you’re executing the project.

How to soundproof a room cheaply?

I can assure you that the steps mentioned in this post are cost-effective.

Though some steps may require some capital still rest of them will require a very small investment that anyone can afford.

The best way to get the maximum out of this post is to go through all the methods and then decide on what will work best for you.

And, embark on the door soundproofing project to make your home a quieter place to live.

How To Soundproof A Door Cheaply

Moving further, I’ll walk you through the various aspects of soundproofing a door in the most cost-effective ways. All the methods that we’re gonna discuss have been implemented on various door soundproof projects in the past by our technology team. We’ve only considered the methods that have given us tangible results in the past. So, without a single element of doubt, you can go ahead and execute these steps.

Seal Gaps, Cracks, And Holes

I don’t know how and why people overlook this step.

It may sound simple and easy but it has a great impact on the end result when it comes to soundproofing a door.

Many a time, it has been found that gaps, holes, and cracks are the main culprits in letting sound through the door.

In my previous “soundproof office door” projects, I hardly found any door that didn’t have holes or cracks.

The easiest and most cost-effective way to get rid of these holes, gaps, and cracks is to seal them.

The only problem that you’ll face in sealing these holes is to locate them.

There may be some holes that may not be visible to your naked eye.

So, to locate these small culprits, you need to switch off the lights in your room and ask someone to hold a torch on the other side.

Remember, to keep the door closed.

The light emitted by the torch will make the gaps & cracks visible as they will let some light through.

Once you’ve figured out all the gaps, holes, and cracks, I would recommend you mark the location with a marker.

Now, you’ve to select a good insulating sealant for sealing the gaps.

My suggestion would be to search for a sealant that is airtight.

To make for a great sound deadening the insulating sealant must be able to completely seal the gaps.

Another thing that you need to look for in a sealant is that it should be paintable so that you can paint the sealant in the same color as of your doors.

 You may face some problems if the gaps are too small to be filled, high-quality sealant like Great Stuff Big Gap filler may not work for you. 

So, what’s the solution?

I would suggest Red Devil Small Gap Foam (Check the Current Price On Amazon) for gaps of less than 1 inch.

For the optimum result, I would recommend you to seal even the smallest of the gaps.

By doing so, you’ll definitely achieve success in your soundproof door project.

Personally, I’ve noticed a tangible difference once I’ve closed all the gaps, crakes, and holes in the vicinity of the door.

Weatherstripping Tape For Soundproofing Door

Before I foray into the soundproofing domain, I had seen weatherstripping being used only at the bottom of the garage doors.

But, working as a soundproof consultant helped me to know the other side of weatherstripping.

Yes, you guessed it RIGHT.

Weatherstripping is one of the best ways to dampen sound. 

And, at the same time, it is also a cost-effective solution for soundproofing doors.

In layman’s terms, weatherstripping is a synonym for soundproof door tape.

They perform exceptionally well against unwanted noise in the project such as “soundproof wooden door”.

These soundproof door tapes are good at absorbing unwanted noise.

You can also use them for a soundproofing door frame.

These tapes are made of sound-absorbing materials such as fiberglass.

The installation process is quite easy as they come with a self-adhesive layer.

There has been a steady increase in the demand for weatherstripping.

Without any doubt, the market is flooded with self-adhesive, and every next day some or other brand is launching a similar product.

I would suggest trying this self-adhesive weatherstripping tape (Check the Current Price On Amazon) on your door.

The performance of the weatherstripping can degrade if you don’t give proper compression while setting it up.

A high compression ensures that an airtight seal is formed between the door and the tape, and as a result, you can expect the sound to dampen effectively.

Remember, if the seal is not airtight then the outcome will not be as per your expectation.

So, perform this step carefully.

Use Soundproof Door Gasket

You can consider soundproof door gaskets as an upgraded version of soundproof door tapes.

As compared to weatherstripping tape, door gaskets are a bit costly.

Similar to weatherstripping tape, the door gasket is also used to seal the gaps at the header of the door as well as at the jambs.

Are you looking for a cost-effective soundproof door gasket?

Well, if that is the case, then you could try this amazing product. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)

Install A Soundproof Blanket

Do you want to reinforce the steps that you have already taken to the soundproof door?

Well, then I would vouch for soundproof blankets.

Soundproof blankets aka “moving blankets” are made of fiberglass, a well-known sound-absorbing material, and if installed correctly it can absorb the majority of the sound waves.

Are you wondering about the installation of these heavy soundproof blankets?

The fact is there is nothing much to do when it comes to the installation of these sound-canceling blankets.

All you need to do is hang them onto hooks at the back of your door.

If the acoustic blanket is quite heavy then it is better to ask for helping hands.

 Personally, I see these noise-deadening blankets as a temporary solution to combat the noise. 

Hang it when you need it and later remove it.

These sound-dampening blankets can perform surprisingly well as a complementary soundproofing material when it comes to soundproof doors.

On the downside, these heavyweight soundproof blankets lack aesthetic appeal.

Unlike soundproof curtains, these blankets don’t have an elegant look and feel.

These sound-deadening blankets don’t score well on the parameter such as visually appealing, so I would recommend you use them for the doors which don’t need any sort of decoration.

For example, recently I used this acoustic blanket (Check the Current Price On Amazon) for the soundproofing laundry room.

Use a Soundproof Door Sweep

Till now, we’ve discussed the various ways of sealing the gaps, cracks, and holes.

But, what about the biggest gap?

I know you may be wondering what I’m blabbering, right?

Well, from the biggest gap, I mean the space between the bottom of the door and the floor.

Even before you put a query in front of me, let me tell you the door gasket and the weatherstripping tape will not help you deal with such cracks.

So, what’s the solution?

According to me, the best solution could be to install a soundproof door sweep.

The project “soundproofing door” can’t be successful without sealing the space between the bottom of the door and the floor.

But, at the same time, you need to be patient while installing the soundproof door sweep. 

It may take a couple of hours.

Sound-dampening door sweeps are nothing but products made of sound-absorbing materials.

Its function is quite simple.

After the installation is completed, it will seal the gap when the door is closed.

There are some great door sweeps available on the market at an affordable price.

I would recommend you try this door sweep. (Check the Current Price On Amazon) The USP of this product is the triplefin that makes it sturdy & durable.

I’ve been using it for various soundproof door projects for quite a few time now.

In simple words, it has never disappointed me.

As compared to the weatherstripping tapes, the installation is tedious.

Most of the time is consumed in drilling and screwing the sweep’s fastener into the door.

Once you’ve installed the door sweep, you’ll come to know that it comes with several other advantages as well.

It goes without saying that besides blocking out sound, the sweeps keep away insects and dust.

You may be astonished to know that the door sweep will lead to a reduced electricity bill.

Can anyone tell me, how?

Well, if you’re using an air conditioner in your room, then the door sweep will prevent the cold air from going out, and as a result, the AC will consume less electricity to keep the room cool.

Place a Rug

Placing a rug near the door is one of the best ways to dampen the noise from the other side.

I personally recommend Rug because it has great visual appeal.

 Unlike soundproof blankets, these rugs are extremely eye-catching with the ability to dampen unwanted noise. 

Rugs help a lot in reducing reverbs, vibrations, and echoes.

Nonetheless, rugs may not be as efficient as other sound dampening methods but by using some tricks you can definitely enhance the efficiency of rugs.

Trust me, I’ve tried this innovative trick and I noticed that the noise bouncing off the doorways greatly reduced.

When it comes to sound dampening, weatherstripping tapes, and door sweeps definitely perform better than rugs.

I’ve tried a couple of rugs and then narrowed it down to one that I still use for various soundproofing projects.

The one that I found to perform well against the echoes is Safavieh Hudson Shag Collection. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)

If you’ve been an active member of a soundproofing domain, then I’m sure, you would have definitely heard about this rug.

It comes in a variety of colors and designs. As a result, it will suffice the decor of your room.

Well, there is nothing as such when it comes to the installation of a rug.

You don’t have to do anything, simply place it in the areas where you wanna combat the echoes and bounce off the sound waves.

To sum up, I recommend you to use the rug as reinforcement for other methods.

To be honest, rugs alone can’t be enough to combat noise.

Install Noise Canceling Curtains

Curtains are commonly used on windows, but how many of you have ever used them on doorways?

Well, in some parts of the world, curtains and drapes are equally used on the doorways.

Soundproof curtains are definitely one of the cost-effective ways to dampen unwanted noise.

These acoustic curtains are made of sound-absorbing materials that absorb the sound waves in the layers.

At the same time, noise-canceling curtains also contribute to sound blocking.

So, these sound-deadening curtains can help you to get rid of both external noises as well as airborne noise.

The installation process is quite easy. 

Always buy acoustic curtains that have grommets embedded in them.

I wouldn’t advise you not to buy the noise-canceling curtains that don’t have grommets embedded.

Remember, installation of the grommet is a tedious process and it may consume a lot of your time.

If you’re not getting it right, then I would suggest, you should read an in-depth article on the best noise-canceling curtains.

The article covers all the aspects of acoustic curtains.

While installing the soundproof curtains, you need to keep in mind that these curtains are quite heavy and you may need some helping hands.

Another thing that you need to look for is the curtain rods.

Before hanging the curtain from the rod, I would advise you to check the hanging capability of the curtain rod.

In some of my soundproofing door projects, the rod wasn’t able to hold the weight of the heavyweight soundproof curtains, and I had to replace the rod.

First and foremost, you’ll need to install curtain rods above the door frame.

Though it may take some time still it is considered as the backbone of the installation process.

After the curtain rod is installed, you need to simply hang the acoustic drapes.

There isn’t anything different.

The installation process is almost similar to installing the curtain on the window.

There are some additional benefits of installing soundproof drapes.

Can you GUESS?

Most of the high-end soundproof curtains fall under the category of blackout curtains. What does it mean?

Blackout curtains prevent the sunlight and UV rays from entering your room.

You’ll be astonished to know that the installation of a couple of acoustic drapes may lead to a reduction in your electricity bill.

Wondering, why?

Well, these noise-canceling curtains act as a thermal insulator and keep the room cold in a hot and humid environment and vice-versa.

Unlike soundproof blankets, these curtains come in a variety of designs and colors. 

Choose the one that will sync with the decor of your room.

Dampen The Noise On The Other Side

A lot of people get confused with the doorway as a source of the noise.

Well, it’s a path of the noise and NOT at all the source of the noise.

For optimum results, it is very important to dampen the sound on the other side of the doorway.

As discussed earlier, rugs can be used to dampen the sound on the other side.

Bookshelves or even heavy canvas paintings can be used to dampen the unwanted noise on the other side.

Another thing that you can do is to identify the source of the noise and work towards dampening it as much as possible.

For example, if the other side of your room is a hallway then you can hang a couple of canvas paintings in the hallway.

Try Sound-Absorbing Foam Panels

If you’re the one who finds fiberglass blankets an expensive option, then I would recommend you give sound-absorbing panels a shot.

The sound-absorbing foam panels increase the air resistance which in turn reduces the amplitude of the sound waves.

In layman’s language, sound-absorbing panels convert the sound energy into heat energy with the help of air resistance.

Therefore, you’ll find a drastic decrease in the percentage of sound waves passing through the foam panels.

The installation process is simple and easy to go.

All you need to do is to hang the foam panel on your door.

Never use nails to hang the foam panels on your door because there is a high probability that these panels can damage your door.

Rather I would suggest, you try these command strips. (Check the Current Price On Amazon)

These strips are safe as well as simple to use.

On the downside, these panels aren’t visually appealing so you may use them in the rooms that aren’t frequently used.

If you’ve decided to use panels for a soundproofing door, then it’s better to try acoustic panels.

They not only perform better as compared to foam panels but are also visually appealing.

Moreover, you can install them on any door of your apartment.

Use Mass Loaded Vinyl

Mass Loaded Vinyl aka MLV is one of the best sound dampening materials when it comes to combating noise that is transmitted through the air.

I personally installed MLV in my home office because I used to get distracted by the unwanted noise from the hallway.

In the case of mass-loaded vinyl, installation isn’t the problem.

Simply buy the MLV and cut it as per the requirement (door size)

Then, all you have to do is to attach it to your door.

Depending upon your preferences, you can choose from adhesives and staples to attach the MLV to your doorway.

The only downside of using MLV as a soundproofing door option is the cost.

Yup, you heard it RIGHT.

MLV is quite costly and it will increase the cost of your soundproof door project significantly.

As a soundproof consultant, I explain the benefits as well as the costs involved in using MLV for the project to my clients.

It helps me to avoid any future conflict.

You may be aware of the fact that the market is flooded with cheap soundproofing MLVs.

For god’s sake, never use these non-branded MLVs.

I had a horrible experience with cheap MLV.

It cost me a soundproof door project.

So, be careful in the selection of the mass-loaded vinyl.

Some of my clients had a problem with the color of the MLV.

Since the color is black they didn’t prefer to hang it on the doorway.

Buy A New Solid Door

First and foremost, you need to check the doorway.

If the door that you want to soundproof is made of solid wood, then there isn’t any need to replace it.

However, most of the doors used in apartments nowadays are hollow, so it is a good idea to replace the hollow with the solid ones.

Unfortunately, the hollow doors are a great amplifier of sound.

So, the only option you’re left with is to replace it with solid doors or solid core doors.

Don’t confuse solid doors with solid core doors.

To make it sweet and simple, check out the sound-deadening capabilities of these doors: solid core doors>solid doors>hollow doors.

This is a costly method and you should give it a shot only if, after applying all the aforementioned methods the result is NOT up to the mark.

However, replacing a hollow door with a solid core door/solid door will definitely help you achieve the epitome of silence.

But, the question is, are you READY to invest so much money?

If yes, then NOTHING could suffice to replace hollow doors with solid core doors.

At the same time, installing the door isn’t easy.

You’ll need professional help to perform the task.

Installation of a solid door is a critical step and failing to make it RIGHT can ruin your entire soundproof door project.

On the contrary, if you’re NOT in a position to spend so much on buying a new solid door, then the best thing that you can do is to add mass to the hollow door.

So, how can you add mass to your existing door?

Simply, cut the wood of the size of your door and then attach it to your existing hollow door.

Another thing that you can do is add some drywall to your existing hollow door.

I can only help you with feasible options.

In the end, it is you who have to take the final call.

If you’ve not heard about drywall before then let me tell you, it is nothing but the board made of sound-absorbing materials and is mostly used in interior construction.

Needless to say, drywall reduces the amount of sound that passes through them.

It goes without saying that attaching drywall to your existing hollow door will significantly reduce the sound that will pass through it.

Soundproofing Door Costing

If you’ve got a budget of $100, then a soundproofing door can be accomplished. Well, I’m taking into consideration the lower limit. And, the upper limit depends upon your pocket:)

FAQs

Like my previous posts, I’ll be taking some frequently asked queries from my readers as well as clientele.
In case, you’ve any doubts or queries related to the topic, feel free to ask us in the comment section. Someone from our team will respond back at the earliest.

Is It worth Replacing Hollow Doors With Solid Core Doors?

• Well, it DEPENDS.
• You can replace the hollow doors with the solid/solid core doors depending upon your requirement.
• But, it’s better to first try to implement the soundproof door methods discussed in this article.
• Even after trying a couple of aforementioned methods, if you aren’t getting any results, then you should consider replacing the hollow doors.

Does Solid Door Reduce Noise?

• Definitely, a solid door dampens the noise as compared to the hollow doors.
• There are two types of solid doors: solid core doors and solid wood doors.
• Solid core doors are heavier than solid wood doors and thus have a higher noise cancelation capability.
• There are some high-end solid core doors available on the market that claim to dampen almost 50 percent of the noise.
• I’ve helped you with the needed pieces of information and now the choice is yours.

Wrapping Up Soundproofing Door

• I can assure you that by following the aforementioned steps you can successfully complete your soundproof door projects.
• It goes without saying that soundproofing doors like any other portion of your room can be expensive or cheap.
• Soundproofing doorway is a relative term and the success, as well as the failure of the project, totally depends upon your expectations & the project outcome.
• For example, if you don’t have very specific requirements, then I would recommend you try cheap soundproof doorway solutions.
• At the same time, if you’re looking for a very specific and high-precision outcome, then you need to inculcate a combination of soundproof doorway methods.
• All said and done, the aforementioned steps will definitely help to reduce the tangible amount of noise from your doorway.
• There is no hard and fast rule.
• The trick is simpler than you can ever imagine.
• Just figure out the amount of noise that you want to dampen, and then select a method accordingly without causing any constraint on your finances.
• As per my experience as a soundproof consultant, I would recommend you try at least two of the aforementioned soundproof door methods.
• So, which is your favorite out of the 11 soundproof doorway methods?
  • Do you use some other techniques to soundproof your doorway?
    • Let us know your view about this piece of information in the comment section.
• Last but not least, share this post with the ones who are in need of similar information.
  • After all, sharing is caring.

[Also Read]

• How to Soundproof a Room With Blankets
• Cheap Soundproofing Window Ideas
• How to Soundproof a Sliding Glass Door
• How to Soundproof a Window
• How to Make an Interior Door Soundproof