Soundproof Pocket Door | 3 Quick Ways | [Innovative Solution]

3 Quick Ways to Soundproof a Pocket Door

Have you ever soundproof a door? Well, soundproofing an exterior solid door is quite easier as compared to the interior hollow door. In fact, to get an optimum result, you have to replace the hollow door with a solid one. The same holds true when it comes to soundproofing a pocket door. Trust me, it's a tedious task and it's time-consuming as compared to the soundproofing a bigger door.

However, I will walk you through three quick methods to the soundproof pocket door, and the best part is that these ways aren't only budget-friendly but also cost-effective.

Before writing about these methods, I have applied it over dozens of pocket doors.

[Also Read]: Best Quiet Propane Generators

In case, you're new to the pocket door concept, then stay with us to know more about the pocket doors.

In this article, I will be covering the below topics.

• Introduction to the Pocket Door
• Pocket Door Installation
• Soundproof Pocket Door

If you find me missing any point, then please mention it in the comment section. I will inculcate the suggestion in the updated version.

So, without any further ado, let's begin...

What is the pocket door?

Pocket doors are the sliding doors that disappear, when fully open, into a compartment in the adjacent walls.

The pocket doors are very useful when there isn't any room for swing or hinged doors.

They come in single as well as double door version.

Pocket Door Installation

The installation process is a bit complex as well as tedious as compared to the normal door.

I am sharing a self-explanatory video, and I hope it will serve your purpose. It is always advisable to take professional help when it comes to installing the pocket door.

Check out this high strength frame (Check the current price on Amazon) which is equivalent to accuracy certified professional level.

What are the reasons for the noise problem in a pocket door?

The main reason is the absence of the protruding into the pocket when the door is closed.

The absence of a stop bead on the non-pocket side of the jamb.

What are things that one needs to consider when choosing a sound deadening material?

It is very important to consider the accurate material for the soundproofing purpose. Unfortunately, installing a material that isn't the perfect solution can lead to not only loss of money but also time.

When installing a pocket door or a normal door, the gaps and cracks play a crucial role. Even the smallest of these gaps have the capability to ruin all your effort when it comes to soundproofing.

As discussed in the earlier post, the gaps and cracks around the door allow the air to pass through it. As we all know, sound uses air as a medium to travel, and by blocking the smallest of the gaps and cracks, we completely negate the possibility of noise to either enter the room through the pocket door or vice-versa.

Especially in the case of a pocket door, the frame rate must be considered. The higher the frame rating the better is the chance of deadening the noise.

Bonus Tip: It is highly advisable to use a frame rating of 150 lbs and above.

When it comes to choosing a soundproof material, you have need ever ending options. However, every door is different and thus, the need of the soundproofing material will also differ.

If needed don't hesitate in taking help from a soundproof consultant. You can also consider "word of mouth" as a decision-making point.

However, I always recommend my clients to have thorough research about the product that they are planning to use for sound dampening purpose.

Some of the products that are recommended for soundproofing a door are as follows:

• Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV): I highly recommend the mass loaded vinyl because it adds mass to strengthen the pocket door.
• Green Glue: This is a very effective and popular sound deadening material that is used to fill the gaps and cracks. They can also be used to seal the gap between the two sheets.
• Resilient Channels: You can use it as a supplementary method to enhance soundproofing capability.

How to soundproof a pocket door?

As discussed earlier, we will segregate the solution into three parts, and each part will be discussed in detail for the better know-how.

1. Method 1

• Reinforce your Door Panel
• Apply a Soundproof Rubber
• Apply a Door Gasket
• Apply an Automatic Door Button

2. Method 2

3. Method 3

Method 1

Reinforce your Door Panel

Reinforcing the door panel is really very important. 

By doing so, you can negate the chances of the unwanted noise passing through the holes, gaps, and cracks that are present beneath or at the hinges.

The pocket door comes in different grades with different frame ratings.

It's always advisable to buy a pocket door with a high frame rating.

The essence of reinforcing is to add mass to your door.

In the last couple of years, quite a few pocket door frame has come into the market. However, I'm not satisfied with the performance of most of them. 

Johnson Hardware Commercial Grade Pocket Door Frame is the one, I recommend to my clients. (Check the price on Amazon)

The reason I recommend it is the strength that it possesses to combat the unwanted noise.

Never compromise on the strength of the door. Be sure to check the frame rating.

Remember, the reinforcing of frames has better results if you're doing so against the thin walls.

If your wall is quite thicker, and then you're reinforcing the frames, then don't expect very high results.

Just sharing my experience as a soundproof consultant.

As discussed earlier also, reinforcing the frame is a way to add mass to the doors. 

Further, keep in mind to bridge the smallest of the gaps, cracks, and holes using a soundproof adhesive such as Green Glue. (Check the current price on Amazon)

Apply a SoundProof Rubber

The success of this project depends to a large extent on identifying the gaps, crack, and holes, and then sealing them.

Green Glue is a great soundproof adhesive to do this. However, a better alternative can be a Soundproof rubber.

The place you need to apply it is the gap between the door frame and the wall.

Without any doubt, my vote goes with the Neoprene soundproofing rubber. 

I've used it personally quite a few time, and trust me it literally enhance the soundproofing capabilities of the door by negating the unwanted noise.

At the same time, it is equally important to close the corner gaps. For this purpose, you can use Acoustical Caulk.

Apply a Door Gasket

Why Door Gasket, and not weatherstripping?

Keep reading, It's one of the most important and frequently asked questions, and I'll reply later in this post.

Door Gasket is a kind of permanent solution, and which you can apply to the headers and two jambs.

The fitment is idiosyncratic superlative, and you'll not find any gap for the sound to penetrate.

Personally, I prefer the Basic Door Gadget. It's a bit pricey, still, it's worth every penny spent.

It is made of high-quality neoprene and 204 anodized aluminum retainer that ensures that the seal remains flexible and effective for a long duration.

Coming back to the weatherstripping, it is NOT as effective as the door gasket.

Its life cycle is also very less as compared to the door gasket. 

However, if you're tight on the budget, and can't spend a few more bucks, then I would recommend, you should with the silicone weatherstripping rather than the conventional weatherstripping.

Silicone weatherstripping contains special compression properties that make it last longer than the conventional ones.

Apply an Automatic Door Bottom

1% gap at the bottom of the door can reduce the sound abatement by almost 40 percent.

So, I hope you're now aware of the importance of an automatic door bottom.

Till now, we are successful in sealing the gaps on the top and the bottom.

The automatic door bottom takes care of the smallest of the gap between the floor and the bottom of the door.

Personally, I use this product. (Check the current price on Amazon) It fits perfectly with the door, and you'll NOT face any problem in opening or closing of the door.

Sounds interesting, isn't it?

I hope you're clear with all the sub-methods discussed in method 1. In case, you've any doubt, let me know in the comment section. 

I'll revert back at the earliest.

Method 2

The method is exclusive for the doors which aren't strong such as plywood doors and semi-core doors.

Try the below mentioned methods, it will definitely work.

• First and foremost, you need to create two heavy wheeled doors with a space between them, and then link both the doors for the optimum result.
• Then, make a track with two curves where the wheels of each door would sit in.
• As a result, the door would slide apart as it closes. So, you'll find a seal forming.
• When you'll open the door, it would slide back together to seal the narrow gap.

Method 3

I've made it clear quite a few time in this post, soundproofing a pocket door is not as easy as conventional doors. 

Sometimes, you need to use more than one sound abatement methods to combat noise.

I would recommend you to try this method only if the aforementioned methods fail to give any result.

• Create a single wheeled door between double studs and make a little clearance between the seals of the right side of the door frame and the door.
• Be sure to make the right end of the door thicker than other sides of the door so that it can hit the seals while closing.
• Install another seal at the left end of the door to hit the door frame.
• The top and bottom of the door should contain seals that would touch the sides of the upper and lower track.
•  To lower the friction, the seal should be set a little high above the track and both sections of the track should be cut and replaced with rubber.
• On getting to the end of the travel, the wheels will slightly sink into the rubber tracks making the door drop slightly.
• A mild close mechanism can also be adopted (such as hydraulic shock absorber) if the door slides freely with low friction. The installed close mechanism will help stop the door gently and ensure that it closes all the way.
• When installing the door handle, be sure it is placed near the left end of the door. And make sure the door frame on the right is curved in an oval shape instead of the standard straight cut so that the handle will not slide into the wall.

Wrapping Up:

I hope you would have gained some knowledge regarding soundproofing a pocket door.

Let me know in the comment section if I missed out something.

If you're using an innovative method other than the one mentioned here, then let us know we'll share it with our readers.

Share the content with your friends and family, incase you find it informative.

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