Filling gaps and cracks is a soundproofing no-brainer. That’s why a door noise reducer can serve you well in keeping sound from entering or leaving.
Door noise reducers are also known as door sweeps and door noise blockers. You should consider them because they are effective for soundproofing, cheap, and easy to install.
Read on to understand how door noise reducers work. Or head straight to our guide on how to choose a door noise reducer and the best door sweeps on Amazon.
Skip to:
- What is a door noise reducer?
- How does a door noise reducer work for soundproofing?
- How to choose a door noise reducer
- Best door noise reducer on Amazon
- Door noise reducer tips
What is a door noise reducer?
Door noise reducers are commonly called door sweeps and door noise blockers. Their main benefit is to reduce noise, which is why some people also know them by this name.
Simple is good. Door sweeps are basic blockers that fit snugly at the bottom of your door, keeping out noise.
Choose the right door sweep and it won’t obstruct you in opening or closing the door, but it can prevent noise from getting in from outside, or escaping your room.
You’ll find that these door noise blockers are really easy to install. Even those of us who are DIY-phobic can fit a blocker to their door.
Door noise reducers are usually made from materials like rubber or vinyl. Many just require sliding or sticking onto the bottom of your door. U-shape door sweeps are particularly suited to internal doors within your home or workplace, rather than external doors.
Some will have velcro or adhesive for attachment purposes. There are also metal types that require screwing onto the bottom of your door.
Other benefits – aside from soundproofing, there are other advantages offered by door sweeps. A good door sweep will reduce drafts from coming under the door. They can also help you to control temperature, preventing heat from entering or escaping. If you have a lot of insects where you live, you may also like the fact that they keep out creepy-crawlies. Last but not least, if your bedroom is next to a lit corridor, a door sweep can shut out light coming under the door.
How does a door noise reducer work for soundproofing?
Remember this soundproofing mantra. Two main principles of soundproofing a door are to a) fill gaps and b) to add mass.
Options such as a soundproof blanket, mass loaded vinyl or a solid core door are great for adding mass. But when it comes to filling gaps, a door noise reducer does a great job at the bottom of your door to stop sound leaks.
It might seem like a small space, but the gap under your door is enough to allow sound waves to bounce and refract through.
Key takeaway – door sweeps essentially seal the gap between your door and the floor. The best door sweeps for soundproofing provide a barrier by blocking the sound waves, stopping a potential pathway for noise.
How to choose a door noise reducer
One thing to consider is which door you are trying to soundproof. If it’s an external door such as a front or back door, then you might want to be wary of the U-shape. That’s because the U-shape door sweeps can collect moisture when it rains. This can lead to the decaying of your door, especially wooden doors. The wood may swell and become rotten.
Materials used for door noise reducers include vinyl, rubber, metal, felt or brush. For lightweight hollow doors, look for a softer material such as brush or felt, or it might be hard to open and close the door properly. Vinyl, rubber or metal door sweeps are a more suitable choice for heavier doors.
Then there’s the dimensions. Measure from the floor to the bottom of the door with a ruler, so that you know the size of the gap you need to seal. Usually gaps are in the range of ½ inch – ¾ inch – and naturally, there are plenty of door sweeps made to seal this size of gap. Also measure the width of the door, so that you know how long the noise reducer needs to be.
If you are fitting a door sweep above an uneven floor, look for a model with adjustability features. Softer materials such as felt, brush, or flexible vinyl will do a better job of melding with the contours of your floor, giving you a snug fit. There are some door sweeps that have more screw slots or slide extensions that allow you to customize the fit. More on dealing with uneven surfaces in our door noise reducer tips section*link
Pay close attention to your type of floor surface. If you have a flooring type like wood or carpet that is prone to wear or damage – such as tears, scuffs, or scratches – it makes sense to go for a softer door sweep material such as felt or brush. More resistant flooring such as ceramic tiles or carpet gives you the the option of using a denser material.
Best door noise reducer on Amazon
Best for soundproofing
M-D Building Products Commercial Grade Door Sweep
Rubber is dense with a high mass. That makes it a great sound blocker. This commercial door sweep is aluminum at the top and rubber at the bottom, so it is an excellent sound blocker.
The M-D Building Products Commercial Grade Door Sweep can fit doors up to 36 inches wide and seal gaps up to ⅜ inch high.
Any downsides? Might drag over carpeted floors due to the heavy rubber seal
This is a heavy-duty door noise reducer for those who are serious about blocking sound. As well as being a good sound blocker, it is useful for keeping out drafts and insects.
Best for carpeted floor
Pemko Aluminum Automatic Door Bottom
OK, so it isn’t technically a door sweep. Or not in the traditional sense anyway.
If you have a carpeted floor and want to avoid your door sweep dragging, and potentially wearing, an automatic door bottom is a good option.
Any downsides? Higher price than a standard door sweep
This Pemko Aluminum Automatic Door Bottom basically a door sweep that automatically snaps down when you close the door. When you open it, it pops up. That means there won’t be any obstruction or damage from you dragging it along the floor.
Best for external door
Suptikes Door Draft Stopper
With its strong adhesive and simple design that doesn’t harbor moisture, the Suptikes Door Draft Stopper is a safe bet for your front or back door.
If you have an especially big gap at the bottom of your door, it is a good option – this door sweep extends to cover gaps of up to 1 inch. It sticks on a broad variety of materials, including wood, metal, plastic, and glass.
This door noise blockers is easy to affix. After you do your measurements, you simply cut off the excess seal and apply the strip to your door using the self-adhesive. As the name suggests, the Suptikes Door Draft Stopper is also handy for keeping out drafts, as well as light and insects.
Any downsides? Other door sweeps offer more soundproofing ability
Committing a design crime shouldn’t be a problem, as you can take the pick from four colors – brown, grey, white, and black.
Best on a budget
GroTheory Under Door Draft Stopper
For under $10 you can’t really go wrong.
This GroTheory Under Door Draft Stopper has a triple-layer design and is made from silicone. Silicone is used in many types of caulk sealant and is recognized for its ability to absorb and dampen sound waves. It can reduce echo by absorbing mid-range frequencies. There are better sound blockers than silicone, but it will certainly have some effect.
There’s a choice of 4 colors.
Any downsides? User reviews say the white version isn’t effective in blocking light.
If you want a cheap door noise reducer to absorb sound and vibrations, as well as keep out drafts and insects, this is a good option. This door sweep can be stuck easily using self-adhesive to both interior and exterior doors.
Door noise reducer tips
Let’s round off with some parting advice.
Use door sweeps in tandem with door seal kits or gaskets
A good door sweep will block noise from entering or leaving through the gap underneath your door, but what about the top and sides? It’s sensible to use a door sweep in combination with weatherstripping or gaskets that cover gaps around the other 3 sides of a door. Look out for handy door seal kits that contain everything you need to do the job
A door sweep is as good as your installation
A poorly installed door sweep defeats the point of having one. Your door sweep must have full contact with your floor along its whole width, to give you a proper seal. That makes measuring door gap clearance essential. Just as important is choosing a door sweep with the right dimensions.
If you have an uneven surface, read the next tip.
If you have an uneven floor surface, select adjustability features
If your flooring is uneven, ensuring a tight seal might be tricky. In this case, look for a door sweep that has adjustability features such as slide extensions or a range of screw slots to help you get the fit exactly right.
You can find shims for door sweeps – small adjustable wedges – that will help you customize the fit. Or carefully trim your door sweep to size if the material allows it.
