By Robert Ferguson and Bob Vila | Updated Sep 24, 2020 12:14 PM

While closed doors do a decent job shutting out the noise outside the room, cracks between a door and its casing or threshold offer just enough space for some sound to filter in. Complete quiet requires that you mix and match a handful of strategies in order to adequately seal these gaps. For example, if you install weatherstripping but do not have a snug-fitting threshold, you’ll still hear some noise. Do a thorough job of securing all areas and surfaces mentioned in this guide for how to soundproof a door, though, and you’re sure to get the maximum level of soundproofing.

Determine your needs for the space—whether that’s just enough quiet to fall asleep or complete silence for your basement recording studio—and get to work with one of these three methods.

Create a better door seal and prevent noise from penetrating through the cracks by installing new spring bronze weatherstripping. This type of weatherstripping performs the same task as your average vinyl or foam stick-on weatherstripping, but can do so better and for longer—up to 30 years. It’s especially ideal around doors that face the outside, which needs to be reliable enough to seal out water and bugs.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Tape measure – Marker – Bronze spring weatherstripping – Tin snips – Awl – Hammer – Nails

After any previous existing weatherstripping has been removed, measure the width of the door frame and the length of the door jamb (the vertical parts of the frame, one of which the door hangs on). Unroll your metal weatherstripping and use a marker to identify your cuts based on the dimensions taken. Then, cut the spring metal weatherstripping using tin snips to the appropriate length.

If your spring metal weatherstripping does not feature pre-punched holes, dot along the lip of the metal every 1-1/4 inches so that you know where to place your nails. For the top piece, you may even want to pre-punch manually: Place the tip of the awl at each mark and tap with the end of a hammer.

Hang your first cut of weatherstripping along the door jamb from which the door hangs so that the material nearly touches the threshold. Use tin snips to trim metal away that may impede the operation of hinges.

If your metal weatherstripping with pre-punched holes, slightly drive in a nail in the first hole (at the top) and the last (at the bottom) of the strip, neither all the way in. Visually inspect that the strip appears to be straight, and adjust if necessary.

Working with weatherstripping without any holes? Simply add the nails through the first and last dots.

Tap a nail partway in the center of the weatherstripping. Then, continue adding nails along the strip at consistent intervals.

Repeat Steps 2 through 4 for the second strip.

Once all the nails are in place and you’re comfortable with the weatherstripping positioning, complete the process of driving the nails or screws into the strips. Keep the fastener head flush with the strip. In other words, do not pound or drive it into the metal as this can damage the metal.

Finally, place the top strip following Steps 2 through 4.

Like metal weatherstripping, rubber is designed to seal and block not only drafts but also noise. While you’ll find a few different versions of rubber weatherstripping available, the easiest one to use (and what we’ve detailed here) is the kind with an adhesive backing.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Rubber weatherstripping with self-adhesive backing – Tape measure – Putty knife – Rags – Utility knife

Before buying rubber adhesive weatherstripping, measure the thickness of the door and the gap between the door frame and the top of the door. Weatherstripping comes in various width sizes and you will want to buy the right size that will snugly fit and not be too large that will hinder the door closing properly.

If you are replacing old material, pop the old weatherstripping out first using a flat tool (either a putty knife or flat head screwdriver).

Scrape away any remnants of old caulk. Then, wipe the bottom of the base and the door jamb surface thoroughly with a damp cloth to remove dust and remaining residue, either of which will prevent the new adhesive from sticking properly. Follow with a clean cloth to dry.

Measure the width of the door frame and the length of each door jamb and cut these dimensions from the rubber weatherstripping. You should have three strips total.

Alternatively, you can line up the end of weatherstripping with the corner of the door base and run the strip along the base until you reach the other corner, then cut.

Peel away the backing to expose the adhesive and, with the door open, start to apply it to the frame.

Stand on the side of the frame on which the door opens, and start by addressing the door jamb without hinges. Stick one end of weatherstripping in the top of this door jamb, and run the weatherstripping down along slim edge facing out; this is where the door comes into contact with the frame. If the rubber adhesive impedes the door lock from catching, carefully notch it, or cut out the excess, using the blade of a utility knife.

On the opposite door jamb, you’ll run it along the edge that the hinges screw into.

Run the final strip along the top edge of the door frame, again facing out so that the door closes on it. Press each for a firm seal.

Over time, daily traffic may wear down or loosen your existing threshold, the raised part of a doorway that serves not only to cover the line where flooring meets between rooms but also seal out sounds. Installing a better threshold—which you can pick up at your local home improvement store—should keep unwanted noise from slipping through under the door.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Power screwdriver – Hacksaw – Pry bar – Hammer – Broom – Vacuum – Tape measure – Interior door threshold – Screws

Use a power screwdriver to undo any screws holding the existing threshold in place. How you actually remove the threshold depends on its position in relation to the door jambs:

Use a broom or vacuum to thoroughly clean out accumulated dirt and debris before you put a new one in place.

Measure the opening left for the threshold. (You may also put together and take the dimensions the old threshold, which can serve as a template for the new installation.)

In pencil, mark the exact measurements onto the new interior door threshold. Then, cut the excess off from one end using the hacksaw.

Slide the new threshold into place between the door jambs, and use a power screwdriver and screws (perhaps those saved from the previous threshold installation) to fasten it to the floor beneath.

Test the installation by closing the door to detect any problems.

Those looking for serious soundproofing can find peace and quiet with a mass loaded vinyl (MLV) mat. Though often used underneath carpet as a vibration cushion, MLV hung on the back of the door significantly reduces the noise that would otherwise pass through. This guaranteed silence comes at a premium cost: It retails for upwards of $60 for a roll from online shops specializing in acoustics (about $2 per square foot, depending on weight, length, width, and thickness), which is often more than you need for a single door. Thickness ranges from 1/16 inch to ¼ inch, and thicker is better for sound-blocking. If you don’t see thickness listed within the product description, you can rely on weight per square foot of coverage:

Before you start on this soundproofing project, find another do-it-yourselfer to help hold the material in place—the flexible foam mat is about as heavy as lead.

MATERIALS AND TOOLS Available on Amazon – Flat-head screwdriver – Drop cloth – Roll of mass loaded vinyl – Tape measure – Carpenter’s pencil – Utility knife – Rags – Construction adhesive

With the door shut, remove it from the hinges. Push a flat-head screwdriver into the bottom of the hinge (aimed at the end of the pin), and tap the tool with a hammer. This should cause the pin to pop up so that you can pull it out. After you repeat this process on all of the hinges, use the door knob to help wiggle it free and lay it on a drop cloth–covered work surface.

Measure the length and width of the door. Then, make note of the location (how high and how far in from the side) of the doorknob and any additional locks.Your measurements should allow for which way the door opens.

Your measurements should allow for which way the door opens:

Place the roll of MLV on a flat surface and transfer your door measurements to the material, including the precise space and location of door knob and lock(s). Considering how pricey as this material can be, heed the old adage, “Measure twice and cut once.”

Using the door measurements as a guide, cut the material with a sturdy utility knife. (Doing so on top of scrap wood would be wise to protect your floor or work surface.) Cut away the material that will cover the doorknob and locks.

Clean the door surface of any dirt using a dampened cloth, and allow to dry.

Apply the construction adhesive to the side of the door panel where you’ll mount MLV.

With your DIY partner, place and position the MLV onto the door surface. While the helper holds the material in place, visually check that the material is lined up properly to cover the entire door’s surface and adjust as needed. Then, after waiting out the dry time recommended for your particular construction adhesive, reattach the door to its hinges by lining up the hinge plates and sliding each pin back into place.

As noise can seep in through the tiniest places, you’ll want to seal any cracks around the door jamb, casing, and trim. If you pinpoint any cracks, holes, or deteriorated caulking material in a visual inspection of the entire doorframe, grab that caulk gun and load it up with a fresh tube. (Don’t forget to snip off its tip before you start!)

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