Why You Need to Soundproof Your Doors and Windows

It is universally known that if you don't want to be heard you go into a room and shut the door behind you or close your windows. Whether you are talking on the phone or having a meeting, a door or window being shut is usually in the hope that nothing disturbs the conversation or that the conversation doesn’t disturb others, and that it remains confidential. The same is true if you have a home theatre, a studio, or a home office. 

Unfortunately, you may not realize that the door or window you have closed is actually allowing sound to escape or enter a room. While soundproofing windows and doors is harder to do because they are needed for ventilation, there are simple ways to solve this problem. 

Find the Gaps

Sound Waves move through air, so if you can see visible gaps around your door or door frame, you can be sure that sound will travel through those spaces.

You would need to seal these gaps around your door or window frame by simply applying weather-proofing tape or foam tape, alternatively an acoustic sealant. These can be bought at your local hardware stores.

However, you don’t want to apply the tape at the bottom of the door as it may jam your door. We recommend using a door sweep or door sealer.

Treat the Actual Door

Just because the gaps are covered, doesn’t mean the job is done. Be sure to cover your door with your soundproofing or acoustic panels to optimize your sound treatment. Best to understand the difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment before choosing an option. 

It is also important to be sure of the type of door you have. Give a few taps on the edges and on the center of the door to hear if it is hollow. If it is hollow, it can cause acoustic interruptions. There are many drastic and simple ways of treating a hollow door, with the most drastic way being to replace the hollow door with a solid one, and the least drastic way being to install mass-loaded vinyl on the surface of the door as this will increase the density of the actual door.

Glass Doors and Windows

These are some of the hardest parts of a room to soundproof because glass reflects soundwaves, and it has a low mass, giving it the same sound effect as a hollow door.

One way of treating window and glass spaces around your room would be to install door panels that would cover the inside of your window and when shut, they form a tight seal, reducing the gaps around a window and enhancing the overall sound quality, and further enhancing the soundproofing properties.

Thick curtains are another alternative that can serve as dual functionality for soundproofing purposes, as well as to block out light if you are installing it in your home theatre. These curtains are a great solution for large window spaces, such as sliding doors, or roof-to-floor windows where installing vinyl or multiple smaller panels are just not feasible.

While there are many methods that can be used to enhance the sound quality in a room with large doors and windows, it may be best to use a combination of methods to achieve an optimal solution.

If you still find yourself stuck between a window and a door with sound spilling through every crack, contact us at Hush Echo for advice on all your acoustic needs.