5 Easy Ways to Soundproof Interior Sliding Doors
Soundproofing interior sliding doors may seem difficult at first. These doors open differently than regular interior doors. Therefore installing soundproofing material can seem tricky. It’s important to do it correctly in order to keep the door functional.
There are many soundproofing materials you can use to do this successfully. I’ll focus on the most convenient and affordable materials that are available at large stores like Amazon, Home Depot and Lowe’s. I’ll also explain the correct way to install them.
So without further ado, here are the 5 best ways to soundproof an interior sliding door:
1. Tack moving blankets on the door
By adding mass to the door, you can improve it’s sound absorption capabilities. The easiest way to do this is to tack thick blankets on the door.
I suggest using this thick and heavy moving blanket (link to Amazon) to get the best results. It’s the heaviest one on the market and it has a nice blank & white pattern going on as well. If you want to improve sound absorption further, simply add more layers to the door until you’re satisfied with the results.
2. Hang acoustic panels on the door
Attaching acoustic panels is another way to add mass to the door. There are two types of acoustic panels; foam panels and fiberglass panels. While foam panels are good for reducing echo, fiberglass panels are much more efficient at blocking noise. If you’re interested in this option, I suggest using fiberglass panels. They cost more, but they’re also more effective and look better
To install these panels on the door, you can use hanging strips like Command Strips. Attach 1-2 strips on the back of each panel and hang it on the door.
The other option is to use a spray adhesive like 3M Spray Ahesive on the back of the panel and than stick it to the door.
Both options are fine, but the hanging strips will make it easier to remove the panels if you want to later on. I don’t recommend using hanging strips on regular doors, since they are often opened and closed more strongly. With sliding doors I’m pretty sure they won’t fall off, if you open the door nicely.
Measure the door first to know how many you’ll need before ordering. You’ll want to cover the entire door from one side. If there are some open gaps left because the panels can’t cover the door perfectly (which is usually the case), you can cut the remaining panel(s) to size with a sharp knife and cover the remaining space.
3. Cover the gaps
Any open spaces in the door frame and the door itself need to be sealed if you want to improve noise reduction. For small gaps in the door frame, tape them over with weatherstripping tape.
One significant gap that is found especially in sliding doors is that between the door and the floor. There has to be a small gap so that the door can open properly. But if the gap is larger than is necessary, it should be minimized with an adjustable door sweep.
I don’t recommend using just any door sweep. You’ll want to use one that you can adjust to match the size of the gap you’re dealing with. This silicone door sweep is the most versatile I could find, because it’s self adhesive and it’s installed not on the bottom part of the door (horizontal with the floor), but to the lower part of the door as shown in the pictures. Plus, it doesn’t require any tools for installation, since it’s self-adhesive.
4. Hang noise-blocking curtains in front of the door
This is a very popular solution, especially for sliding glass doors. Because placing panels or blankets on glass doesn’t look very nice, this is a more convenient option for most people. So how do you use noise-blocking curtains? It’s pretty simple.
Step 1: install a curtain rod on the wall above the door.
Step 2: hang noise-blocking curtains on the curtain rod
Step 3: there is none, you’re done!
Make sure that the curtain(s) are wide and long enough to cover the entire door. There are two types of noise-blocking curtains; the one-panel and two-panel curtains. It’s irrelevant which ones you use, as long as they’re big enough to cover the door. The most popular option for sliding doors are these one-panel curtains:
How good is this option at reducing noise? Well, these curtains are pretty heavy and large, providing great sound and thermal insulation.
It’s pretty good against standard airborne noise. I’m talking about medium-to-high sound frequencies. It won’t do much against low frequency vibrations though.
If you have a loud drum set or a washing machine that vibrates all over the place, you’ll want to add mass directly to the door. Or replace it with a thicker wooden door.
5. Get a barn-door style sliding door
A thick door made of solid wood is better than glass or hollow wooden doors for blocking noise. Therefore, investing in a solid-core wood door can definitely help. However, the down side to this option is the price.
This type of door usually costs at least $300 per panel. Since you can buy thick moving blankets for around $30 it’s not a good budget option.
Final Thoughts
All of these 5 tips are great options that you can use. I advise sealing the gaps as the most important thing on the list. Next, it’s really up to you whether you want to use panels, blankets or curtains.
And finally, if none of these options seems good to you, there’s always the option of replacing the door with one that is heavier and better equipped for blocking noise.
