DIY Sound-proof wall & door?

AlexLakis · 25th February 2007

Slightly off topic from gear, but...Does anybody have any experience building a sound-proof wall and/or door?

I know heavier is better. I've read a bit about decoupling the wood to avoid vibration. I know the stripping around the door is important...I've found a couple of schematics on the net, but I'm not sure if they're the best way to go, both sound and cost-wise.

Just wondering if anybody has any hands on experience, and would like to share how they dit it and how it turned out!

Thanks!

(Mods, feel free to move this thread if this is in an inappropriate spot, wasn't sure where to post something like this, and I'd like the Slutz' opinions...)

stevep · 25th February 2007

Hi Alex,

Double doors with a sound lock is the way to go, You dont have to spend 5000$ on one door ,, unless you want to.. Solid core (2" thick or close) exterior doors work well and come pre hung with threshholds and weather stripping, you will want to add more weather stripping seal your self and beef up the threshhold

130-150$ at Lowe's but usually need to be ordered

Another way to go is a self sealing threshhold that drops down when you close the door.... not cheep $$$$ but can be worth it in the long run

Also saw a friend use refrigerator gasket all around his doors.

the sound lock is the key here and needs to be very adsorbent, make it as big as you can.

Remember that your soundproofing is only as good as the weakest link.... So it doesn't pay to add a Vault door to a wall that is not as soundproof as the vault door... you get it.....

Hope this helps

AlexLakis · 25th February 2007

Hey, Steve, thanks for the response!

I'm doing the double wall, double door thing in between the control room and tracking area.

The main issue for me is the heating unit for the house is in this area, right on the other side of the wall/door I'll need to construct for the control room. And that sucker is loud and "vibratey."

So, I'm thinking a thick, solid oak door with copious amounts of weather stripping. The actual wall...I'm not sure to do for it yet. Drywall with slate inside? Should I bother with the decoupling business, and if so, how should I impliment it? Hmm...

Gonna check out the link on your signature now! Thanks for the help!

85db · 5th November 2007

So the door jam must extend underneath the door, just like on the exterior doors, correct?

25th February 2007	#1
AlexLakis Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2005 Location: Annapolis, MD/Los Angeles, CA Posts: 3,631 Thread Starter	DIY Sound-proof wall & door? Slightly off topic from gear, but...Does anybody have any experience building a sound-proof wall and/or door? I know heavier is better. I've read a bit about decoupling the wood to avoid vibration. I know the stripping around the door is important...I've found a couple of schematics on the net, but I'm not sure if they're the best way to go, both sound and cost-wise. Just wondering if anybody has any hands on experience, and would like to share how they dit it and how it turned out! Thanks! (Mods, feel free to move this thread if this is in an inappropriate spot, wasn't sure where to post something like this, and I'd like the Slutz' opinions...)

25th February 2007	#2
stevep Lives for Jesus Joined: Oct 2005 Location: orange county ca. Posts: 2,935	Hi Alex, Double doors with a sound lock is the way to go, You dont have to spend 5000$ on one door ,, unless you want to.. Solid core (2" thick or close) exterior doors work well and come pre hung with threshholds and weather stripping, you will want to add more weather stripping seal your self and beef up the threshhold 130-150$ at Lowe's but usually need to be ordered Another way to go is a self sealing threshhold that drops down when you close the door.... not cheep $$$$ but can be worth it in the long run Also saw a friend use refrigerator gasket all around his doors. the sound lock is the key here and needs to be very adsorbent, make it as big as you can. Remember that your soundproofing is only as good as the weakest link.... So it doesn't pay to add a Vault door to a wall that is not as soundproof as the vault door... you get it..... Hope this helps __________________ Steve Perkins Steve Perkins Fishing.com Creation Recording Studios .com Take a Kid Fishing Outreach John 3:16

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5th November 2007	#4
85db Gear Head Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 41	So the door jam must extend underneath the door, just like on the exterior doors, correct?