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    Soundproofing For Complete Front Door Replacement

    Benjamin WhiteBy

    Excessive noise entering through the front door can disrupt your home’s peace and privacy. Fortunately, there are several effective and affordable ways to soundproof to make the front door replacement project complete.

    The main goal when soundproofing doors is to cut down on noise gaps around the door. Density blocks sound, so adding mass with storm doors creates an extra sound barrier. Follow these tips for reducing noise infiltration through the front door replacement project.

    • Add Door Sweeps

    One of the easiest soundproofing fixes is to install door sweeps along the bottom of the door. Sweeps block open space between the bottom of the door and the threshold where outdoor sounds enter.

    • Door Bottom Sweeps

    Adhesive-backed brush and vinyl sweeps attach to the bottom edge of the door. When properly installed, the flexible sweep material seals the gap as the door opens and closes. These are quick and inexpensive noise-blocking options.

    • Thresh

    Sweeps along the threshold plate seal the gap around the entire bottom surface of the door. They attach to flooring surfaces using screws or adhesive. Threshold sweeps last longer than sticker brush sweeps and work on uneven floors or doors with large bottom gaps.

    • Automatic Door Bottoms

    Automatic door bottom sweeps lower to seal the bottom gap when the door closes. They retract when the door opens to avoid impeding movement. These provide the best acoustic seal for soundproofing doors but cost more than basic sweeps.

    • Weatherstrip Perimeter Gaps

    Weatherstripping around the door’s sides and top seals air pockets that allow noise intrusion. Compressible vinyl, foam, felt, or brushed weatherstripping blocks sound when the door presses against it after front door replacement.

    • Use Retrofit Weatherstripping

    Easy-to-install vinyl strips, kerfs, and other products retrofit existing doors to seal fine cracks. Match the shape of the weatherstrip material to the specific door gap. Make sure it adequately compresses when closed but doesn’t impede door movement.

    • Replace Jamb Weatherstripping

    For best results, remove old or missing weatherstripping around the door’s interior jambs. Clean and dry the jambs before applying new compression seals all the way around both sides and on top of the frame. Take exact width measurements to cut strips to size.

    • Add Exterior Weatherstripping

    Further, fortify the seal by installing weatherstripping along the exterior side of doors as well. Extend vertical jamb seals and top header seals to the outside edge. Make sure exterior strips withstand weather and firmly press against the door.

    • Install Extra Seals

    High-traffic exterior doors can develop additional gaps that require dedicated soundproofing seals.

    • Cover Mail Slots

    Seal unwanted openings like mail slots that create noise gaps. Use flaps, weatherstripping, or removable covers to block sound waves entering through the slot. 

    • Seal Pet Door Openings

    Pet doors bypass soundproofing and compromise noise control if left unsealed. Use flaps or hinged covers to block the opening when pets aren’t using it. Or install two vinyl flap doors on both sides of an exterior pet door to insulate sound when closed.

    • Install Storm Doors

    Adding a glass storm door creates an extra noise barrier to incoming sound waves. The air gap between the storm door and the main entry door doubles the mass sound must penetrate.

    Choose an energy-efficient and noise-reducing storm door for the most sound-dampening capabilities. Fully close and lock the storm door to maximize noise reduction from outside. Make sure the new storm door’s measurements match the entry door frame for the best sound barrier.

    • Add Interior Soundproofing

    It also helps to slow sound waves after they enter through the front door. Interior acoustical treatments further absorb, block, and diffuse noises that come from outside.

    • Entryway Sound Barrier

    Create a small foyer or hallway inside your front door to act as a sound buffer. Foyers isolate the entry area and prevent noises from traveling directly into rooms. Place insulation inside entry walls for additional sound dampening.

    • Entry Mat Or Rug

    Using a large rug right inside the front door absorbs footfall noise and other sounds that enter through the door. Place mats on both sides of the door. Use a thick, heavy, padded rug material for better noise reduction.