Every busy home has its share of noise, and over time, it can make it harder to relax, focus or get a good night’s rest. Whether it’s a home office near a living area or a nursery beside the kitchen, unwanted sound travels easily between rooms. The right interior doors can help create a calmer, more private environment by reducing how much noise passes through your space.
Not all doors block sound the same way. Material, construction and installation all play a role in how effectively a door reduces noise. In this blog, you’ll learn how door design influences sound and where soundproof doors make the biggest difference at home.
Request a Quote for Soundproof Interior Doors
How Door Construction Affects Noise
The type of interior door you choose has a major impact on how much sound it blocks. A solid-core door contains a dense interior made from solid wood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or composite materials that absorb and dampen noise as it passes through. By contrast, hollow-core doors are lighter, with mostly air inside, allowing sound to travel more easily between rooms.
Because of their weight and density, solid-core doors offer noticeably better sound reduction, especially for bedrooms, offices and media spaces where privacy or quiet is important. Even within the same design style, upgrading from hollow-core to solid-core can make a significant difference in comfort and noise control throughout your home.
Understanding STC Ratings
If you’ve ever wished for a little more peace and quiet between rooms, it helps to understand what a Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating means. STC is the industry standard for measuring how well a door reduces airborne sound. The higher the number, the better the door is at keeping noise out.
Most hollow-core interior doors fall in the STC 20-25 range, providing minimal sound control. Solid-core doors typically rate between STC 30-35, offering noticeably quieter performance for bedrooms, offices and shared living spaces. For maximum sound isolation, acoustic or specialty doors can reach STC 40 or higher, which is often used in recording studios or media rooms.
A door’s STC rating depends on several factors, including core density, materials and frame sealing. Even small gaps around the jamb or threshold can reduce performance, so proper installation and weatherstripping are key.
Where Soundproof Doors Make the Biggest Impact
Not every room in your home needs maximum sound control, but some benefit greatly from it. Home offices, media rooms, bedrooms and nurseries are top priorities for noise reduction, helping create comfortable, focused and restful environments.
Soundproof or solid-core doors help minimize noise from conversations, TVs or appliances, making it easier to work or sleep without constant distractions. In multi-family homes or open-concept layouts, they can also provide valuable privacy between shared spaces, reducing echo and improving overall comfort.
Whether you’re designing a quiet workspace, a peaceful nursery or a private retreat, upgrading to doors with higher STC ratings is a simple yet effective way to make your home feel calmer and more connected.
Simple Ways to Improve Door Soundproofing
Even if you’re not ready to replace your doors, a few small upgrades can make a noticeable difference in the amount of noise that travels between rooms.
- Add or replace weatherstripping to close air gaps where sound can escape.
- Install door sweeps along the bottom edge to block noise from seeping under the door.
- Check casing and trim around the frame to ensure a tight fit; even small gaps can leak sound.
- Upgrade to quality hardware, including heavier hinges, solid latches and snug strike plates that reduce vibration and improve the seal.
These simple steps can significantly boost sound performance throughout your home and complement any solid-core or STC-rated door for even better results.
Ready to Create a Quieter Home?
Reducing noise between rooms starts with the right doors. From solid-core construction to detailed installation and finishing, every choice plays a role in creating a calm, comfortable home. Whether you’re upgrading one room or planning a full remodel, choosing doors that balance performance and style makes all the difference.
At 1st Choice Door & Millwork, we make it easy to find interior doors that fit your needs, enhance privacy and help create the quiet home environment you’re looking for.
Ready to get started? Contact us today for a quote or to discuss options for your next project.
