12 Ways to Soundproof an Apartment Door

Living in an apartment has many advantages, but the amount of noise is not one of them. A building with so many residents is bound to be a bit loud at times, from people doing laundry to doors slamming in the hallways.

Before you decide to pack up all your belongings and hit the road, we have an easy and simple solution for you. Soundproof your front door.

It’ll make a significant difference in blocking out unwanted sounds from noisy neighbors.

I won’t keep you waiting; let’s dive into 12 ways to soundproof your apartment door.

Control the Air Movement

Start by looking at the perimeter of your door for gaps. If you’re having trouble seeing them, turn the lights off in your apartment and see if you can see the lights from the hallway.

The largest gaps will let the most sound in, but even minor ones will cause trouble. Keep this in mind when you’re soundproofing, and you’ll get much better results.

How to Soundproof an Apartment Door

1. Seal Internal Gaps With Insulation Spray (If Possible)

Great Stuff’s insulation spray is the ideal choice for filling the gaps behind door frames. The low-pressure formula won’t bow or bend your frame but expands enough to create an airtight and water-resistant seal.

Once the foam has cured, it’s flexible, so you’re still able to shape it if needed. If you’ve accidentally filled too much of an area, it’s easily removable using a utility knife.

Not only will this spray help with soundproofing, but it’s also insulating. It’ll keep the warm air in during the winter and the cool air in the summer, meaning you save on your energy bills.

Features

• Minimal expanding
• Low-pressure formula
• Water-resistant
• Flexible
• Easily removed if overfilled

We Like

• Expands to fill all gaps
• Great price
• Easy to use

2. Seal All External Gaps With Acoustical Caulk

TMS’s high-quality acoustic caulk can effectively block sound, wind drafts, and smoke from getting into your apartment. It’s specially formulated to meet ASTM-E90, E84, C834, and C919 standards.

This acoustical caulk is latex-based, so you can paint it after if needed. It adheres to most surfaces, including wood, drywall, plaster, concrete, steel, etc. It provides a long-lasting seal that has some flexibility making it a superior choice for sealing gaps in your door frame.

Features

• Made in the USA
• Latex-based
• Specially formulated for sound leak protection
• Adheres to all types of surfaces
• Covers 50LF

We Like

• Good consistency, not too thick or thin
• More affordable than other sealing compounds
• It cuts down on noise

3. Install a Sturdy Door Sweep (Inside)

Installing a heavy-duty door sweep in your apartment is the most efficient way to block the gaps along the bottom of your door. Not only will this help with sound reduction, but it also stops drafts, dust, and bugs from entering your apartment.

M-D Building Products door sweep is commercial-grade but is also suitable for residential homes for doors up to 36″ wide. It will last you for years, even in high-traffic areas.

Features

• UL rated
• Fasteners included
• It fits doors up to 36″ wide
• Heavy-duty rubber and aluminum
• Commercial grade

We Like

• Easy to cut if needed
• Effectively stops cold drafts
• Easy to install

4. Install a Weatherproof Rubber Seal Strip (Outside)

Like a door sweep on the inside, a weatherproof rubber strip is the best way to seal gaps in the bottom of your door on the outside. The tight seal will block external noise and prevent dust from entering your home. The seal is also insulating, which is an energy saver for homeowners.

The EPDM rubber strip is 10′ long and 3.5″ wide, allowing you to cut it to whatever size you need for your door. It’s flexible and durable and can withstand a significant amount of foot traffic.

Features

• EPDM rubber
• Anti-slip texture
• Bright yellow safety strip for visibility
• 10ft long
• Weatherproof

We Like

• Durable and heavy material
• Effectively seals gaps outside of your door
• Great value

5. Install Weather Stripping

Weatherstripping takes care of the rest of the gaps along the perimeter of your door. It comes with two 33ft rolls of D-type seal strip, suitable for openings ranging from 5mm-7mm.

With strong adhesive backing, the strip is great at reducing noise from outside and prevents dust from moving in. You can easily cut it to the length you need for your doors or windows too.

Weatherstripping also helps protect your door from wear and tear while opening and closing. It has excellent aging resistance, so you can enjoy a quieter home for years to come.

Features

• Two rolls D type window seal (33ft each)
• Fills gaps 5mm – 7mm
• Adhesive backing
• Soundproof
• Dustproof

We Like

• Easy to install
• Great price
• Good seal for sound reduction

6. Install Hydraulic Auto Door-Closer

A hydraulic door closer controls the opening and closing speed of the door. It’s also built to ensure that the door is closed securely, which helps form a better seal for sound reduction.

The ADC12 aluminum has a solid and sturdy build, making it ideal for both wood and metal doors up to 144 lbs. The multi-purpose design also allows you to install it on doors that close to the left or right.

The hydraulic door closer is easy to install with a fitting template and detailed guide. It comes with all the hardware you’ll need in one box.

Features

• High-quality aluminum (ADC12)
• Closes left or right
• Installs into wood or metal
• Adjust opening force and closing speed
• Smooth and secure closure

We Like

• Effectively stops doors from slamming
• Great value for money
• Quality hardware

7. Install a Layer of Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)

Mass-loaded vinyl is talked about a lot in soundproofing, and for a good reason. It’s highly effective at absorbing sound and doesn’t have to break the bank to create a quieter space.

TMS’s soundproof padding comes in three different sizes, depending on how much you need. The sheets are made in the USA with virgin material to avoid the accidental use of dangerous chemicals. The vinyl weighs 1lbs per square foot, is 1/8″ thick, and has an STC rating of 27.

Highly adaptable to all your needs, the mass-loaded vinyl can be attached to the back of your door. Atlerntavitely, you can install a metal frame around the door and connect the MLV to that with industrial magnets, effectively blocking the entire door and reducing noise.

Features

• Multiple sizes available (16sq.ft, 40sq.ft, 100sq.ft)
• Sound absorbing
• Made in the USA
• Contain no dangerous chemical
• No re-grinded or recycled material

We Like

• Little to no odor
• Good sound absorption across multiple frequencies
• Cuts easily for custom sizing

8. Install a Sound Absorption Sheet

Hanging an Audimute dampening blanket over your door will absorb an average of 85% of sound waves that come in contact with the blanket. Effectively reducing the echo and reverberation bouncing around your apartment.

This sound absorption blanket is made with eco-C tex material that uses less energy to produce and is safe for your health. It’s non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, and contains no fiberglass.

Features

• Sound absorbing
• Non-toxic
• Eco-C tex material (a blend of recycled cotton & cellulose fibers)
• Five color options
• Each sheet is 8ft x4.5ft

We Like

• Works well to muffles sounds
• Heavy, quality material
• Easy to hang

9. Install a Soundproof Panel

If you’re serious about soundproofing your apartment, the TradeMark Soundproof door panel is the way to go. The panel is made from sound barrier and sound absorption materials, making it unmatched in its soundproofing abilities.

The panel is custom-fitted and applied using strong velcro, making it easy to install on any door. You can choose from four neutral color options so it won’t look out of place in your apartment.

Features

• Four color choices
• Custom sizing
• Made from sound barrier and sound absorption material
• STC rating of 29
• Durable and flexible

We Like

• Very effective at reducing sound
• Enhances other soundproofing components
• It also blocks out light

10. Install Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are not only effective for keeping the sun out, but the material is often also great at absorbing sound.

The NICETOWN thermal curtains are among the highest-rated curtains on the market, being affordable and made with high-quality materials. They’re made using two layers of triple-weave polyester and can absorb two times more sound than your average one-layer curtain.

Beyond muffling noise and blocking out light, they are thermally insulated, balancing your room temperature and cutting down on energy costs.

Features

• Two layers of triple-weave polyester
• Blackout effect
• Absorbs noise
• Balances room temperature
• 24 color choices

We Like

• Great value for the price
• Muffles outside sounds
• Improves energy-efficiency

11. DIY Floor to Ceiling Plug

For the avid DIYer, you can create your own sound barrier for less than $50.

12. Upgrade to a Solid Core Door

It’s common for interior doors to have a hollow core, which is great for making them lighter and more affordable. But you sacrifice when it comes to blocking out exterior noises.

A solid core door is much better at absorbing sound because of its density. These doors range from expensive hardwood to MDF which is for budget-friendly homeowners.

Final Thoughts

There’s a lot of options out there for soundproofing your apartment door. The real trick to effectively blocking out unwanted noise is to use multiple different methods.

Each one of these options on our list may not block out 100% of the sound, but combine a few, and you’re well on your way to a quiet, comfortable home.