Noisy Neighbors? Here’s What You Need to Know About Soundproofing Sliding Doors

Sliding doors offer a great way to separate your space and are a statement piece for any home. With their sleek look and space-saving benefits, it’s no wonder homeowners and interior designs alike are gravitating towards them. But as much as we love sliding doors for their aesthetic appeal, there’s a burning question we often get asked by our customers who are looking to create separation within their home — are sliding doors soundproof?

The Modern Charm of Sliding Doors

Sliding doors have become a popular choice in contemporary homes. They offer an elegant solution to dividing spaces without sacrificing natural light, airflow, and are great space savers in comparison to building a wall.

Sliding doors operate by gliding along a track rather than swinging open like traditional hinged doors or pivot doors. This mechanism is perfect for saving space, especially in compact areas. There are two main types of sliding doors—pocket doors that disappear into the wall and bypass doors that slide past each other.

How do sliding doors work → 

Are Sliding Doors Naturally Soundproof?

The quick answer is no—sliding doors are not naturally soundproof. Their design, with gaps around the edges and thinner materials like glass, allow for sound to pass through more easily compared to solid-core doors or walls. 

Despite the gaps, sliding doors significantly reduce sound from passing through, particularly when using materials like laminated glass. Companies like AlumComplete can increase soundproofing by adding soundproofing brushes to the gaps. The soundproofing is about the same as a regular bypass door, but not as good as an insulated wall.

Why Soundproofing Matters

Soundproofing is an important consideration for many of our customers, and for good reason. Whether you intend to use sliding doors to partition an office space or to create or separate distinct areas within your home, ensuring privacy and reducing noise are key factors to keep in mind when exploring room separation options.

If making sure your sliding doors are soundproof is a key factor in your decision making, it will generally be challenging, especially if you’re using thin or hollow material. Please keep in mind that while you can optimize for reducing sound, you may never get perfect soundproofing and sound absorption.

Factors Affecting Sliding Door Soundproofing

Design

Doors with multiple panels or thicker materials tend to offer better sound insulation. Additionally, the frame and sealing play a crucial role. Custom sliding doors offer the best solution, as they can be customized to your needs, along with specified measurements for the best fit. 

Materials

Materials such as aluminum and wood typically provide better soundproofing compared to glass. Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is particularly noteworthy for its superior sound absorption capabilities, and is made up of wood fibers, resin, and wax.

The Environnement

The environment also matters to increase soundproofing. For example, if the walls are hollow and the rooms are sparsely furnished, there will be barely any soundproofing. However, if the walls are well-insulated and equipped with sound-absorbing panels, and if soundproofing brushes are installed in the gaps of the doors, the soundproofing will be drastically better.

Installation

You can have the best material in the world, but if you don’t get the installation right, it’s not going to look good and you’re going to notice. Proper installation is key to minimizing gaps and ensuring the door fits snugly in its frame. A poor installation can lead to more sound getting through, defeating the purpose of any soundproofing efforts. With thousands of installations completed, AlumComplete is well experienced and ready for any installation project. Read what our customers have to say about working with us!

These are some of the top considerations to keep in mind when buying a sliding door for soundproofing. If you’ve already completed a purchase and installation, and you’re not getting the results you’re looking for, consider checking the installation for any gaps, adding weathersripping, or you might have to switch materials.

The Aesthetics of Soundproofing

While soundproofing is essential, it’s also important to maintain the style and elegance of your sliding doors. Brands like AlumComplete offer customizable options, allowing you to choose from a variety of styles and finishes that match your home’s decor – combine aluminum and MDF panels and customize them with your own designs for the best result.

This way, you get the best of both worlds—soundproofing and aesthetics. Sliding doors are not inherently soundproof, but there are numerous ways to enhance their ability to block out noise. By focusing on design, materials, and proper installation, you can enjoy the elegance of sliding doors without compromising on peace and quiet.