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Platypus9

Joined: 01/09/04
Posts: 122
Loc: Montreal, Canada

Non-Permanent Door Seal?
#951901 - 07/11/11 05:56 PM

I'd like to reduce the sound coming through a door in my apartment. The door doesn't need to be used or opened, but I can't permanently renovate because I'm renting. Right now some spots have a 3/8 inch opening between the door and the frame. I was thinking of jamming some strips of dense foam all around the edge (I have some anti-fatigue exercise matts that could be cut into strips). I was also thinking of constructing some sort of panel that would fit over the door and the door-frame, but I'm not sure how effective that would be. I know this won't be perfect, but any improvement would be helpful.
Is dense closed-cell foam the right material to fill the gap non-permanently?
Is the panel idea worth the effort, and how would you approach it?
Thanks!

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christianmurphy

Joined: 25/01/08
Posts: 297

Re: Non-Permanent Door Seal? new

[Re: Platypus9]
#951941 - 07/11/11 09:52 PM

Does the door have a frame around it that comes out further than the door? If there is, maybe extend the frame a bit with some timber and sealant. Attach it to the existing frame with pins and some form of sealant. If you can imagine placing a panel over that, there would be a cavity space between the panel and the door. Obviously before putting the panel on, fill the cavity with some dense rockwool. Seal and panel pin the panel to the wood frame.

Just remember with doors and windows, air tightness is just as important as mass. What's the floor like? Some sort of threshold that's sealed to the frame with a recess that the panel could drop into might help. Basically you want the panel completely sealed shut. Coupled with the rockwool you should improve the isolation quite a bit. It's quite a cheap fix too.

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Platypus9

Joined: 01/09/04
Posts: 122
Loc: Montreal, Canada

Re: Non-Permanent Door Seal? new

[Re: Platypus9]
#952989 - 12/11/11 07:17 PM

Thanks! That's quite helpful. The frame doesn't stick out past the wall, but I think I have enough info to proceed.

cheers

Edited by Platypus9 (12/11/11 07:18 PM)

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ef37a

Joined: 29/05/06
Posts: 5669
Loc: northampton uk

Re: Non-Permanent Door Seal? new

[Re: Platypus9]
#953052 - 13/11/11 08:11 AM

I would use plasterboard (preff' acoustic grade, are you very strong?)and attach it using clear silicone sealer.

Put a sheet of 1/8" hardboard on the floor so that the board can sit on and be sealed to it. If/when you leave you will be easily able to smash the plasterboard and remove it. Probably a messy 1/2 days' work tho'!

Dave.

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