Interior doors are one of the biggest culprits when it comes to unwanted noise, because these doors are usually of the hollow core variety.
One of the first things that comes to mind when I see a set of sliding barn doors inside a house is how much noise is traveling through them. While I was staying at my friend’s house, I noticed that he had barn doors all over his apartment, and it was extremely noisy.
I talked with my friend about the situation, and through that conversation, I learned quite a few things about barn doors. In this article, I’ll explain a few ways in which you can reduce unwanted noise from passing through your barn doors without spending a lot of money.
How to Soundproof Barn Doors
1. Seal All Gaps and Cracks
First, I recommend that you make sure all gaps and cracks are properly sealed. You can start by inspecting the doors for small gaps, because even the smallest holes will let some sound through, and this may result in a fair amount of noise.
After you’ve found any gaps, you can easily seal them by using a weatherstripping door kit. Weatherstrips are the best option, because they’re easy to install and affordable (check out the current price online).
To start the installation process, measure the doors and cut the strips in accordance with the measurements. Following that, you can go on and seal all the gaps.
Once you’re finished, there’s a harder job to come: You’ll need to soundproof the space between the doors and the floor. For this, I recommend using a door sweep, as this is an inexpensive yet effective way to block most of the sound that’s coming from the room on the opposite side of the doors.
2. Add Moving Blankets
Another effective way to soundproof your barn doors is to install moving blankets, which are well-known for their sound-absorbing capabilities. They’re extremely thick blankets that can easily absorb sounds and dramatically decrease the noise level in a particular room.
Hanging these on your barn doors may solve your noise problem completely. If you’re interested in this method, I suggest that you use these thick moving blankets, as they’re one of the most effective and affordable options on the market.
Often, just one of these blankets will get the job done, but if you’re still hearing unwanted noise, you can simply add more layers to the door until you’re satisfied.
3. Hang Sound-Absorbing Curtains
Perhaps surprisingly, curtains can be quite effective soundproofing tools, and if you decide to use them, you’ll have a variety of designs and colors to choose from. It’s important to note that hanging curtains won’t completely soundproof your barn doors, but it’ll cause a significant drop in the noise level.
The first thing you’ll need to do is install a curtain rod on the wall, or even on the ceiling above the doors. For the best results possible, make sure the curtains are large enough to completely cover the doors.
4. Install Acoustic Panels
Attaching acoustic panels to your barn doors is another effective option. There are two types of acoustic panels: fiberglass panels and foam panels. Foam panels are superb for reducing the amount of echo, while fiberglass panels are much more efficient at blocking noise.
If you want to stick to one type, I recommend that you use fiberglass panels, but you could also use fiberglass and foam panels alongside each other, in order to reduce the echo and block the noise. Fiberglass panels are a bit more expensive, but generally, they’re much more effective.
Installing these panels is quite simple. If the panels you choose aren’t self-adhesive ones, you can use green glue or hanging strips like these ones to help you out. If you use the strips, just attach one or two to the back of each panel and then stick each one to the door.
You must remember to accurately measure the doors before purchasing any panels. It’s also a good idea to buy panels that are a bit larger than necessary, as you can always cut them down, but you can’t make them any bigger.
5. Purchase a Solid Wood Door
If you have some extra cash to spend, I recommend that you get yourself a solid wood door. These days, most sliding doors are made of glass and hollow wood, because these materials are cheaper than solid wood. I don’t have a problem with the price, but when it comes to unwanted noise, the problem is the thickness of the doors.
On a related note, the only downside to getting a solid wood door is the price, since they usually cost around $350 each. Those on a budget might choose to buy other soundproofing materials, such as thick moving blankets, for far less money.
6. Hire an Expert
If you aren’t a handyman, or you don’t have the time to soundproof your barn doors, then you can hire a soundproofing expert. Of course, this will cost some money, but you’ll also know for sure that the job will be done correctly.
7. Get Some High-Quality Hardware
If your barn doors are noisy, you should make sure they’ve been properly installed. Poor installation can lead to small cracks or even wider gaps, which will eventually make the noise situation worse and worse.
If you need to reinstall your doors, we recommend that you get some high-quality hardware, as this will make a huge impact on the performance of the doors. By adding high-quality, sturdy hardware, you’ll help ensure that your doors will stay still and refrain from rattling.
Conclusion
Soundproofing barn doors can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you don’t have much experience with this sort of project. Hopefully, however, this guide has given you the information you’ll need to soundproof your doors and rid at least part of your home of unnecessary noise.
If this guide has helped you, you may also be interested in our guide to soundproofing a home gym. Any questions you might have can be left in the comment section down below.
image: pxfuel