QB
QuietBuildSoundproofing systems
HOME / PLAYBOOK
PLAYBOOK / DOORS / VOICES

Doors vs Voices

Decision model: reduce voices in a living room using doors strategies. Budget: Low budget. Constraint: No demolition.

Step order

  1. Confirm the dominant noise type and where it leaks.
  2. Seal obvious air gaps first (trim, outlets, penetrations).
  3. Decouple where possible (resilient channel, isolation clips, or separation layers).
  4. Add mass strategically (second layer where it matters).
  5. Treat flanking paths (vents, shared framing, doors).

Context notes

  • Noise focus: Voices. Speech, TV, neighbors.
  • Room focus: Living room. TV, conversation, airflow.
  • Assembly focus: Doors. Solid core, seals, thresholds.

Common failure modes

  • Sealing the visible gap but missing flanking paths.
  • Adding absorption without sealing/decoupling.
  • Blocking ventilation to chase silence.