How To: Soundproofing Sliding Glass Doors
Sliding doors are a fantastic addition to any home. They are simple to use, let in a lot of natural light, provide great views, and because they don’t require as much room to swing open and closed as hinged doors, they provide more usable space.
Before you start!
Before you begin soundproofing sliding glass doors, you must first determine how much sound leakage there is in the room and what the sources are that are generating it. Because the glass is so thin, it’s easy to think that the doors and windows are to blame, but this isn’t always the case.
Conduct a thorough inspection and search for any gaps or cracks. The most frequent locations for these are around windows, door frames, and wall plugs. Acoustic sealant and putty pads will have to be used to fill them. Air vents in the house might also be a source of sound leakage. These might be standard air vents above the door or HVAC system vents.
Soundproofing Sliding Glass Doors
As previously said, soundproofing a sliding door is more difficult than soundproofing a hinged door. One explanation is that these doors are largely made of glass, which is thinner than a typical wood door, requiring the use of extra soundproofing materials to effectively block noise transmission.
Another reason for the challenge of soundproofing sliding doors is the way they work. Because they slide, covering them with heavy material would interfere with their operation. Moreover, thick materials will detract from their aesthetic appeal. So, soundproofing sliding glass doors – how to?
There are several techniques to effectively soundproof a sliding door without sacrificing the structure’s functionality or appearance. We’ll go through a few ideas to think about below.
1. Seal All Gaps
If there’s one step we’d recommend you to take, it’s this one: you’ll never be able to soundproof the door if you don’t properly seal all the areas where sound may get in, and even the tiniest of holes can let a lot of unwanted noise in. There are several ways to do it:
| 1. Use a brush weatherstrip | The best approach to create an airtight seal between the frame and the door is to use weatherstrips. Because it’s a sliding door, you’ll need a brush weatherstrip since the bristles will flex as the door slides, keeping it from being torn out. |
| 2. Install a door sweep | Door sweeps seal the space between the door and the floor, reducing noise. You can use a normal door or a brush sweep, depending on the door. |
| 3. Use acoustic caulk | Use acoustic caulk to fill up any tiny cracks that have developed between the frame and the wall over time. |
2. Install Soundproofing Curtains
Soundproof curtains or noise-reducing curtains are maybe the simplest technique to reduce sound transmission through sliding doors. The thick materials used in these curtains are designed to absorb soundwaves.
While they won’t lower the sound source’s volume, they will make the sound dissipate much faster, making the environment beyond the sliding doors much quieter. In other words, soundproof curtains reduce the quantity of unwanted noise by deadening the echoes generated by soundwaves.
Not only can soundproofing curtains reduce noise, but they also provide heat insulation. That is, they restrict heat transmission, preventing hot air from entering the room in the summer and cold air from entering in the winter through the sliding doors.
They help keep warm and cooled air from escaping via the sliding doors of your home. The soundproof curtains’ thermal insulation properties imply that the area will be not only quieter but also more pleasant. Additionally, they enhance your home’s energy efficiency and can help you save money on your electricity costs.
Video: Soundproof Curtains – www.AcousticFields.com
3. Install Sound Deadening Blankets
Hanging sound-deadening blankets over your sliding doors is another solution. This approach is similar to the one described above, except instead of curtains, sound-deadening blankets are used.
While the approach is comparable to that of soundproof curtains, it may be more effective. Because the blankets are composed of fiberglass, one of the most excellent soundproofing materials available. Sound deadening blankets can not only block out airborne noise, but they can also prevent soundwaves generated by structure-borne noise from passing through.
Because fiberglass sound deadening blankets come in a variety of sizes, make sure you measure your sliding door first. The blankets can be placed in one of two ways:
| 1. Grommets should be installed along the top of the blankets. Hang the blankets from a curtain rod above the entrance using the grommets. If you want to simply open and shut the covers without having to remove them, this is the preferable alternative. | 2. Hooks and anchors should be installed in the wall above the sliding door, and the blankets should be hung from the hooks. This approach is a quicker and more cost-effective alternative if you don’t mind removing the covers every time you want to let some light in. |
While sound deadening blankets can assist to reduce sound transmission, there is one drawback: they aren’t particularly beautiful.
Video: How To Make Acoustic Blankets – Sound Deadening DIY
4. Replace the Door with Double-Glazed Doors
If you don’t want your glass doors to be constantly blocked by curtains, you’ll have little choice but to go with the more expensive options. After all, what is the point of having glass doors in the first place if you are always concealing them with curtains?
It is possible to replace them with double-glazed doors, just as it is with windows. Double glazed glass is made up of two layers of thick glass separated by an insulating layer of air.
Because air is an excellent insulator, a high level of soundproofing may be produced by utilizing the space between the two glasses. Furthermore, you will not need to use curtains to muffle the sound. This solution would need the replacement of the current glass doors. This would be an extremely costly option (read more about double-glazed doors on mydecorative.com).
5. Install Triple-Pane Glass
If double glazed doors are not enough for you, Investing in triple-pane or laminated glass might be the one for your sliding door. However, this is the most expensive method.
When it comes to soundproofing windows or glass in general, it’s important to understand the difference between low and high-frequency sounds. It’s simpler to soundproof for low-frequency noises. The bass from vehicle audio or thunder from a storm is two examples.
High-frequency noises, such as birds singing or a newborn screaming, are more difficult to block. The sound deadening effect of a triple pane or laminated glass is achieved by generating dead space between the panes. Another advantage is improved heat and cold transfer insulation. As a result, your energy costs may be reduced (The Benefits of Triple Pane Glass on apco.com).
6. Install the Second Door
Installing a second sliding glass door in front or behind the current one is another way that we virtually never hear mentioned but proved itself on how great it is! The second door offers a lot more noise reduction and increases the home’s security.
You will practically eliminate the cold flow caused by the sliding door by adding a second door. This type of entrance is generally found in the room that is the coldest and draftiest. Because the glass isn’t very good at keeping the cold out, installing a second one may make this room the coziest in the house.
7. Buy a Soundproof Glass Door
There is another alternative if you want to go a different way and don’t want to deal with soundproofing an existing sliding door. Of course, this choice will be more expensive, but it will also be more effective.
A soundproof sliding door may be purchased, but how much do these doors cost and how do they operate? A sliding glass door will generally cost between $1,300 and $4,000. The broad price range is dependent on the door’s size, as well as the material and construction quality.
Purchasing a properly constructed soundproof sliding door has several advantages. Of course, nothing is truly soundproof, and that includes doors. These doors, on the other hand, do an excellent job of shielding 75 to 95 percent of outside noise!
These sliding glass doors may be seen in abundance in hotel rooms near airports. Multiple panes of glass are separately separated by an air gap, allowing for this amount of noise reduction.
