How To Soundproof A Hollow Door

For anyone who isn’t conversant with the term “Hollow”, it simply means to have a space in between an object, so for a door to be referred to as “hollow”, it means there is a gap between the door which makes it very easy for sound to pass through. Such doors are usually used in bedrooms and other rooms in a home to save cost and can be easily identified by the empty noise they make when you tap on them. There are many reasons why you may want to soundproof a hollow door, and if you don’t know how to soundproof a hollow door, this article will help you in the process. 

The key to soundproofing a hollow door is to increase the mass of the door. The heavier or thicker a door, the more soundproof it becomes. I’ll be outlining some of these steps shortly as they are a variety of them. 

Also read: Are marriott hotel room soundproof?

How to soundproof a hollow interior door 

Since hollow doors are mostly used indoors, it becomes easy for sound to be transmitted from one room to another through the doors. It’s probably the reason why you can hear everything from your next-door neighbor as though your door were wide open. 

As promised earlier, the following steps will help you soundproof a hollow interior door effectively. 

The use of acoustic foam panels 

Acoustic foam panels like this one (click here to view) is the first place to start if you want to soundproof a hollow door. However, what you should know is that acoustic foam panels are more sound absorbers than sound blockers. 

This simply means that acoustic foam panels will do a good job in preventing your business from leaving your room, but not so much in stopping other people’s business from coming in. Regardless, the mass of your door is increased in the process which is a good thing. 

Acoustic foam can be used for various soundproofing projects, so you definitely won’t be at a loss if you have leftovers after placing them on your door. If you are the handy type, you can decide to install the foam inside the hollow door to feel up the space, thereby improving the thickness of the door. However, you would have to remove the hinges from the door, take the door apart, place the acoustic foam in between, and put it back together. 

This would generally require a certain level of expertise on your part, so it’s always better to simply place them on the door. 

The use of soundproof blankets

A soundproof blanket is another cheap effective alternative you can use to soundproof a hollow door. You can decide to use them permanently or temporarily depending on what suits you best. 

There are several options for soundproofing blankets out there, but the US cargo control soundproof blanket (click here to view) comes highly recommended in terms of both sound blocking and sound absorption needs, with many home studio owners using them in their home studios and getting a pleasant experience. 

Simply use hooks and hang them on your hollow door, then watch out for the positive influence the US cargo soundproof blanket brings. 

Soundproof a hollow door frame 

It is almost certain that your doorframe has some gap that can easily allow noise to pass through, and if nothing is done about it, it would persistently become a problem. 

You can tackle this problem by using door seals that perfectly fit the space on your doorframe. This door seal in particular (click here to view) will not only seal the gap but also block out the noise that usually passes through it. 

The installation of this product is a straightforward process and would require you to strictly follow the instruction manual to get the best result from them. 

Also read: Do thick doors reduce noise?

How to soundproof a Hollow bedroom door 

In the case of soundproofing a hollow bedroom door, you can use any of the above solutions stated above, plus some of the solutions stated below. 

Using draft stoppers

Draft stoppers (click here to view) are not only used to prevent insects or small animals from creeping into the house from underneath your door but they are also used to block out noise that finds its way into your room from the same location. 

Unlike what some might think, draft stoppers are not only used for entrance doors but for internal doors as well. They cost less than $20 and are known to last for a very long time. Depending on your decor, you may choose to go with a color that matches what you already have. 

The use of soundproof curtains 

The use of soundproof curtains is another effective way to not only increase the mass on your door but also absorb sound in your room. Because it’s your bedroom, you don’t need to worry about using soundproof curtains (click here to view) on your bedroom door, even if the curtains are meant for the windows. 

Simply hang them above your door and ensure it touches the bottom, but not to the point where it leaves you at the risk of tripping since you are likely to walk through often. You can prevent tripping hazards by using drapes at the door for easy access, especially when you are leaving the room. 

Adding rugs to your door

It’s no news that when sound hits a hard surface, it bounces off, and for hollow doors, it penetrates it. This effect can be reduced if you’ll consider adding rugs to both sides of the hollow door. 

You don’t have to purchase a new rug for this, as an old area rug will get the job done. 

If you are someone who isn’t particular about your hollow door’s appearance, simply cut the available rug into two parts as allowed by your hollow door dimension, then stick them to both sides of the hollow door to both absorb and block sound from both directions. 

How can you tell your door is hollow? 

The first test you can carry out on a potential hollow door is the noise it generates when you ‘knock’ on it. 

This sound is usually loud to suggest to you that there’s space between the boards used in making the door. However, you should note that this does not apply to all hollow doors out there. 

Regardless, hollow doors are generally light when carried, and you can easily tell, especially if you have lifted a thick door before. The difference is glaring, to say the least. 

Can You Fill a Hollow Door With Foam? 

Absolutely! You can fill a hollow door with foam to help you increase its thickness. 

However, I wouldn’t recommend anyone who isn’t handy with tools to go about this as it could be a very technical process. My candid advice would be to seek the help of a professional to properly get the job done. 

Are solid doors more soundproof? 

Generally, when it comes to soundproofing, the thicker the material in question, the more soundproof it is, and vice-versa. This same rule applies to doors as well. 

Solid doors are more soundproof and would do a better job blocking out sound or noise from entering a room than hollow doors. I know hollow doors are usually quite cheap, especially when compared to solid doors, however, if soundproofing is the end game to your purchase, I’ll strongly advise you to go for solid doors as they would do a better job. 

FAQs 

Do Hollow Doors Block Sound? 

Hollow doors are characteristically lightweight, and as such, they are very poor when it comes to blocking out sound. Because of how easy they are to get, hollow doors are mostly used indoors for bedrooms and closets, as well as bathrooms. However, I’ll suggest you use solid doors for your bedroom, especially if the area or home is a noisy one. The design of hollow doors makes it easy for sound to pass through. 

How do you make a hollow door look nice? 

If you’re going for looks in a door, many hollow doors should have you covered due to the various designs they come in. However, if you want a personal touch, you can go for other methods which include the use of stickers, depending on what catches your fancy. If you are a sports fan, there are lots of stickers having a photo of your favorite athlete, and the same goes for other things you might be fond of as well. 

How to make cheap hollow doors look expensive? 

It all boils down to the packaging as the appearance of a door—be it hollow or solid—will determine how attractive it will be, which could also alter its price. You can start by using beard boards on the surface of a hollow door. They do a very good job of giving it a rich taste. Another option is to watch video tutorials on YouTube on how to paint a plain hollow door to give it a panel look. 

Conclusion–How to Soundproof A Hollow Door

With the several hacks mentioned above, you shouldn’t have a problem soundproofing your hollow doors in the future. If you feel we left anything out, kindly let us know in the comment section. We will be looking forward to hearing from you. Cheers.