As new options for interior door materials have begun to emerge over the years, the demand for sound control has risen as well. For those prioritize a quiet, private home, it is important to understand the system used to compare soundproofing qualities in different types of interior doors. products. Read on to learn more about sound ratings and the interior soundproof door, as well as for some handy tips on how to improve the sound ratings of existing interior doors.
About Interior Door Sound STC Ratings
The STC ratings are the most used and widely recognized means of comparing acoustic performance of home construction products. This rating measures the amount of of sound loss through any given door. The higher the STC number, the less sound will pass through the door. This rating mostly depends on the door's materials. However, there are also some small additions that can be made to improve sound suppression.
Generally, a less soundproof door, such as a hollow core door, is given 20 for an STC rating, which means that most conversation-level speech will still be heard when the door is closed. With a thicker interior door, such as a solid core interior door, STC ratings of 35 are standard. For a truly soundproof door however, homeowners should look for an STC rating of between 55 and 60. A solid wood door tends to be the most soundproof door for your home's interior.
Suggestions for a Soundproof Door
Most interior doors are made with a cost-efficient hollow core. Again, because of their hollow core construction, these doors' sound qualities and design are similar to those of a drum, which makes them ineffective at blocking sounds.
On the other hand, the sturdier solid core composite and solid wood interior doors serve a much better template for the interior soundproof door. Despite the fact that these higher grade materials are also more expensive, they will keep your home quieter and give your rooms' more privacy.
A doorway is one of the largest openings in most interior walls. Consequently, one of the most simple and effective ways to easily block noise from moving from one room to the next is to soundproof a door's edges. By installing and adding weatherstripping, you can very quickly and simply boost your doors' STC ratings, even if you aren't planning a full remodeling or building project. According to the NWWDA, if a homeowner replaces a hollow core door with a solid core door and weatherstrips the door's perimeter, the resulting product would most likely have a high STC rating of 34 to 36.
Bottom Line: A Soundproof Door for Privacy and Quiet
A soundproof door is a vital part of keeping a quiet and private-feeling home. Whether you're building from scratch, remodeling, or just looking to touch up where you can, be sure choose thicker door material or weatherstripping to create a soundproof door.
