Acoustic doors – the perfect solution for a peaceful home.

Acoustic doors – the perfect solution for a peaceful home.

When we close the front door of a house or apartment behind us, we enter our asylum and place of rest, where we wish to enjoy peace and quiet. Unfortunately, this is not always possible if irritating noises from the street or stairwell, barking dogs or loud footsteps in the transition corridor come from behind the door. To the rescue of battered nerves and tired ears come modern soundproofing solutions for the house, which significantly suppress annoying sounds coming from outside. Let’s take a closer look at what exactly are acoustic doors and how do they work?

How do acoustic doors work?

The sound insulation of a door leaf is described by the parameter Rw, where the number given next to it indicates the ability to suppress noises of a value expressed in decibels. For example, an Rw40 acoustic door will be able to muffle sounds of this volume or dampen and significantly reduce louder noises. This is an action that has a positive effect on our well-being and health, since according to expert recommendations, the human ear should not be exposed to constant noise above 50 dB during the day, generated, for example, by traffic or residents of multi-family buildings, and sounds above 35 decibels will tire us in the long run and cause irritation.

The use of soundproofing materials, which are also linked to the thermal insulation of the door, such as mineral wool or polyurethane foam, makes it possible to feel much more comfortable in one’s own apartment, and is very important, especially for people who move into multifamily housing directly from quiet, peaceful places away from noise emitters. For some, the lack of soothing silence is a matter of a few months of getting used to it, but for a sizable number of people the problem is insurmountable.

Are acoustic doors a good solution in apartment blocks?

A sound barrier is especially desirable in apartment blocks, especially those where sound waves propagate extremely easily. The echoes amplifying every sound from the stairwell, the sound of the elevator or the barking of dogs can not only irritate during the day or quiet evenings, but even tear us out of a blissful sleep at night.

In large-panel construction, as well as in some multi-family houses built today, the noise level of sounds from behind the walls and from behind the door can be a touchy subject, as not all people are able to get used to it and become extra sensitive to every movement of neighbors or footsteps in the corridor, which actually takes away the peace of mind and limits the joy of being in the apartment. Installing an acoustic door is therefore an exceptionally good idea, especially if you are trying to replace the sash with a new one anyway. An intermediate option that can help unravel this problem is also to install special soundproofing mats and insulating tapes on the inside of the front door.

What materials are used in the manufacture of acoustic doors?

According to studies and measurements, great sound insulation is provided by solid wooden door leaves, which, however, are not cheap solutions and will not be functional everywhere. While their installation in blocks of flats or multi-family houses makes sense and does not present major maintenance and upkeep difficulties, as exterior doors for houses they are not optimal.

A solid steel sheet door, filled with mineral wool or PUR foam, for example, and acoustically sealed with a cellulose spacer, will do an excellent job of muffling outside sounds. The solid, thick leaf of burglar-proof variants provides very good acoustic insulation parameters and is, in addition, resistant to the effects of vandals or robbery attempts, which is an almost ideal set of advantages.

A popular option is particleboard doors, which are relatively lightweight and practical. Particularly noteworthy are models for the production of which higher-density boards are used, the so-called MDF and HDF, which guarantee even greater durability, solidity and rigidity, and thanks to the compact structure and additional fillings – also better soundproofing parameters.

Do acoustic doors require special installation?

Professional installation of soundproof doors is essential if you want to feel a significant difference compared to a traditional solution. Important, of course, is the precision of the installation, the adjustment of the leaf and the correct finishing of the door cavity. Remember that the declared Rw parameters are achievable when following installation techniques that comply with art and requirements, so this is a task that requires a professional hand and checking all dimensions with the utmost care.

The superior quality of the manufacturing processes and millimeter precision of acoustic doors is further complemented by accompanying components, for example, rebate joints that reduce noise penetration or a sound-absorbing door frame that matches the whole. So let’s make sure that the manufacturer’s concern for our acoustic comfort in the apartment goes hand in hand with careful installation of the front door by professionals.

What are the costs of buying and installing acoustic doors?

When choosing an acoustic door for yourself, cost is of considerable importance in making the final decision. The price of modern sound-absorbing doors depends not only on what materials are used in production, but largely on the degree of the declared Rw rating. Thus, even the prices of models made of MDF or HDF can reach five-digit values, especially in the case of doors offering, for example, an Rw of 57 dB or 60 dB.

Choosing a steel door, we gain even greater durability and longevity, as well as mechanical resistance, for example, to damage or scratches. Being able to afford to install a thicker door leaf, filled with mineral wool, we additionally get a fireproof and wonderfully noise-dampening solution. At the end of the scale are burglar-proof, hard-to-break and extremely sturdy doors, which through their design also have great insulation parameters. However, not everyone is convinced by their heavy styling and massive construction.

Installation costs are customarily not significantly higher than for traditional doors, but the overall price of the service also consists of proper preparation and processing of the recess, and this is an important issue when setting the frame and soundproof sash. Prices also depend on the material and weight of the door, so here, of course, particleboard sashes will win, while solid wooden doors and burglar-proof doors, which require appropriate techniques, will be the most expensive, and prices for installation may well exceed a thousand zlotys.