How to Soundproof a Pocket Door - 5 Easy Ways!

 

How to Soundproof a Pocket Door - 5 Easy Ways!

 

 

Pocket doors are lightweight, simple to install, and inexpensive, and they may be installed by anyone. You must buy a door from the market, acquire some hardware, and install it.

Super simple! They have so many advantages that most individuals now choose pocket doors.

According to Global Market Insights, the "Pocket Door Market size crossed USD 7.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to rise at a CAGR of more than 5.8% from 2021 to 2027."

The industry's total supply is expected to reach 56.26 million units by 2027. Isn't there a plethora of advantages? But hold on!

Pocket doors have numerous advantages. The most significant disadvantage is that they are not soundproof.

Assume you're having a private conversation with someone in another room who can hear you. It would be quite uncomfortable.

However, don't let a single concern prevent you from taking use of the other benefits.

In this essay, I'll show you the 5 best ways to soundproof pocket doors. You will be able to DIY it after reading this guide. It's simple!

Section I: Table of Contents
What Is A Pocket Door?
Pocket doors are sliding doors if you are unfamiliar with them. When the door is open, it slips into the wall and out of sight. Instead of hinges, the door moves on rollers with either a top or bottom track.

Some pocket doors include two doors on each side, which allows them to close a larger area at once.

These doors are typically difficult to soundproof because they cover a vast area and it is difficult to seal all gaps. It would be beneficial if you could get expert guidance on soundproofing double-closing pocket doors.
What Method Do Most People Prefer?
This article does include the recommended practises, but these are a few of the most frequent methods that people are currently using to soundproof pocket doors.

Strengthen the door panel.
Make use of a soundproofing rubber.
Make use of a door gasket.
Make use of an automatic door bottom.
It appears to be somewhat technical, and each of these solutions has its own set of problems. Following these five strategies will make it much easier.

5 Best Methods for Soundproofing Pocket Doors
We examined the internet and consulted experts to determine the best techniques to soundproof pocket doors.

These strategies are the result of substantial research, and employing them will yield the finest outcomes. Let us begin with the procedure.

1. Increase the weight of the door.
Did you know that there are two types of pocket doors: hollow core and solid core? We recommend that you get a solid core pocket door because they are heavier and better at soundproofing.
They may be more expensive, but they will undoubtedly address the problem.

Options for increasing the density of the door

1. Purchase a thicker door.
2. Using excess wood

3. Making use of mass-loaded vinyl

4. a lot of paint

1. To make the door heavier, you must get a denser door. A sturdy core pocket door is required.

Examine it thoroughly by weighing it, using a metal instrument to slowly hit on the doors to study the sound in several spots, and always go for a decent brand.
It may become costly, but remember that it is a one-time investment that is well worth it.
2. If money is an issue, you can add extra wood to the door to make it heavier.

It's simple; you only need to buy some ready-made wooden sheets from the market and nail them to your door.
Laminate it for a more professional look. This approach is less expensive and works in the same way.

3. The majority of people choose to use MLV (Mass Loaded Vinyl). It's a liquid glue that produces a film on your doors that hardens when dry.

You've probably seen it in 5-minute craft videos. Similarly, you may apply it on your doors; it fills all the holes and eventually densifies the door, helping to soundproof pocket doors.

4. After you've finished using your best soundproofing method, apply soundproof paint to the door.
These paints are often thick and can be purchased in any local shop or online. The paint adds another layer to the door, making it denser.

Making a door denser takes some effort, but it's well worth it.
2. Fill all gaps and holes.
Of course, the open areas and holes in the door are another major source of sound transmission.

Whatever you do, you will never be able to close the door in the wall. You'll need to add some extra materials to soundproof and finish your door professionally.

Options for sealing gaps

1. Cover the sides with soundproofing rubber.

2. Weatherstripping
3. Plug all holes

4. High-quality hardware and meticulous attention to detail
1. A soundproofing rubber is a specially designed material that easily adheres to the sides of the door and the wall.

It properly closes all spaces, preventing even air from passing through. As a result, it is one of the best choices for soundproof pocket doors.

2. Weatherstrips are used by professionals because they are simple to install. You can get it in a hardware store or order it online.

It works just as it sounds. It's a strip that must be peeled from one side and adhered to vacant spots. It is easy to use and produces outstanding results.

3. If you bought the door from the store, there will be no holes, but if you made it yourself, make sure you seal all holes as they are the main source of passing sounds.

You can use wood, mass loaded vinyl, or any other material that you believe will be adequate for sealing.

4. A single space or hole may destroy your entire project, so double-check to ensure the greatest results.
Also, use high-quality branded hardware because you will be using that door on a regular basis and it will be subjected to normal wear and tear. Poor grade material deteriorates quickly, rendering all of your efforts futile.

It is one of the most effective solutions for all types of pocket doors.

3. Tape the top and bottom together.
Always ensure that the door is tightly fitted to the top, as this will allow air and sound to travel through. You'll never notice it or figure out what's wrong. Furthermore, space is difficult to fill with any material.

Because a pocket door is a sliding door, you must always provide some space for the rollers. To get a soundproof pocket door, you must first cover the spaces from the top and bottom.

Bottom Sealing Options

1. Adjust it to fit
2. Carpet for the floor
3. sweep the door

1. Using good quality hardware and making the door fit from top to bottom takes care of the most of the labour, so you don't need to use any further extensions. So, make it fit and get expert counsel if necessary.

2. Use doormats or carpets at the bottom to cover up any gaps. Use a heavy material as a thin carpet to allow air and sound to move through.

At the same time, make sure your carpet or doormat isn't blocking the wheels, or you'll have trouble opening and closing the door every day.
3. Using a door sweep can also be a fantastic way to block the bottom space because there is no barrier or hindrance like carpets or doormats.

We recommend a broom-style door sweep since they are simple to install, do not stick at the bottom, and do not make unpleasant noises when sliding.

Closing the area from the bottom is critical for soundproofing pocket doors since you can't see it, but it has a big influence.

4. Use Curtains to Reduce Noise
Using curtains is not a guaranteed thing, and it is only a temporary fix, but it does help a lot. This strategy is especially useful when recording video or audio and desire Pindrop silence.

However, simply placing curtains is insufficient; ensure that you do it correctly.

How should curtains be used for soundproofing?
1. Use the heaviest drapes possible.

2. Attach to both sides of the door.

3. Use only one curtain

4. Stretch them out

1. When choosing a curtain, don't skimp on quality. If you want the finest experience, you should get the heaviest curtains on the market.

The thin bedsheet-like curtains are useless and will never help to suppress any noise.
2. First, place the curtain on one side and compare the results. Install drapes on both sides of the doors if you believe this is insufficient and want additional silence. We tried it on our own and it works.

3. Using twin curtains on both sides results in a space. Whatever you do, tying ropes or attaching both curtains will never be able to close that gap.

It's always best to use a single hefty curtain, and there's no need to worry about noise.

4. Leaving the curtains open allows air and sound to pass through. That is not what we desire.

When you desire a soundproof room, hang three to five hooks on opposite ends of the walls and hang the curtains from those hooks. To notice a significant improvement, repeat the technique on both ends.

It's the simplest and most cost-effective way to soundproof pocket doors, because curtains are a one-time expenditure.

5. High-Quality Hardware and Expert Advice
We are concentrating on high-quality hardware because it is the most important aspect. You will open and close the door several times throughout the day.
Poor quality materials will eventually cause the door to develop gaps, and your efforts will be in useless.

Branded products may appear to be more expensive, but they are worth the cost.

You should seek professional assistance.

1. Consult a carpenter

2. Do your research thoroughly.

3. Do not be afraid to spend money.

1. Carpenters do this work on a daily basis and are well-versed in soundproofing and installing pocket doors. You can either hire a skilled carpenter or seek their guidance.

On a video call, multiple applications provide professional guidance. You can also use those services.

2. Conduct Internet research, watch YouTube videos, read other publications, and join a few organisations to talk to soundproofing experts.

If you're doing it for the first time, it's critical to seek outside assistance; otherwise, you'll make mistakes and waste your time and money.

3. Do not be afraid to invest money on research. It doesn't cost much, and if you're inexperienced, doing it yourself without doing any research will almost certainly result in a sloppy job.

So, before you begin installing the door, make sure you have adequate guidance.

This was the final step in soundproofing pocket doors. It's also a crucial one because most people don't think about getting aid from others and end up making mistakes.

Conclusion on How to Soundproof a Pocket Door
There are numerous ways and alternatives for soundproofing available. The goal of this post was to make you aware of your alternatives and assist you in the best way possible.
Finally, we don't want you to be perplexed. So, by following these basic methods, you can work on any type of pocket door.

Before you begin installing the door, do your homework.
Fill any holes and empty spaces from the top, bottom, and sides of the wall if it is already installed.
If your door isn't thick enough, use vinyl or extra wood to make it denser.
For the greatest experience, use heavy curtains.
Using these basic strategies will provide you with the ideal experience; they are simple and effective.

You are not installing the door for one-time use, and it will undoubtedly require an expenditure. Make certain you do it correctly.

What are your thoughts? Which method is your favourite?

FAQ: How to Soundproof a Pocket Door
We discovered people searching for similar topics on the Internet, so we gathered their responses to create a short solution.

Q1. Can Pocket Doors Help With Soundproofing?
Ans. No, even after trying every approach, pocket doors do not block many sounds; asking a professional, you would hardly notice any changes. If you use them at home, that's fine, but we don't encourage using them in offices or sensitive spaces like recording studios.

Q2. Which Material Is Best For Sound Absorption?
Ans. Because they are specifically developed for this purpose, soundproofing rubbers or weather strips work best for soundproofing. They are also simple to install and may be done by anyone.

Q3. Can I buy a soundproof pocket door off the shelf?
Ans. Some manufacturers sell soundproof pocket doors, however there is always the possibility of failure. Those doors are typically solid core and rarely deliver the claimed results. When installing, you must always take measures.