If I was starting from scratch, I'd probably frame out a real wall with insulation—drywall on both sides, maybe even double up if noise is a big deal. Sliding doors are nice but they leak sound around the edges. Ever tried mass loaded vinyl or green glue between layers? Makes a difference, though it's not cheap. What’s the loudest thing you’re trying to block out—music, voices, street noise? That changes the approach a bit.
Building Base Structures—What If You Had To Start Over?
That's interesting about the sliding doors—I always assumed they were decent for sound, but the gaps really do let everything through. Have you noticed any difference between using regular insulation vs. something like rockwool for sound? I’m debating if the price bump is actually worth it. Also, does anyone have experience with staggered studs or double walls for noise? I keep hearing mixed things about whether it’s overkill unless you’re next to a highway or something...
Sliding doors are notorious for letting sound leak through, no matter how good the seal looks on paper. I’ve had clients who were shocked at how much noise traveled through what they thought was a “solid” door. As for insulation, I’ve used both standard fiberglass batts and rockwool. Rockwool does a noticeably better job with sound, especially in lower frequencies—think bass from a TV or music. It’s denser, so it absorbs more vibration. That said, whether it’s worth the extra cost depends on how sensitive you are to noise. If you’re building a home office or media room, I’d say it’s worth it. For regular bedrooms, maybe not as critical.
Staggered studs and double walls are great for serious soundproofing, but yeah, unless you’re right next to a busy road or sharing a wall with a teenager’s drum kit, it can be overkill. I did a double wall once for a client who worked night shifts and needed to sleep during the day—made a huge difference for him. For most folks, solid core doors and rockwool in the walls get you 80% of the way there without going nuts on the budget.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I hear you on rockwool being better for sound, but I’ve actually found cellulose insulation can be a solid middle ground. It’s not quite as dense as rockwool, but it’s recycled and does a decent job dampening noise, plus it’s got a lower carbon footprint. When we redid our den, we went with dense-pack cellulose and were surprised at how much it helped, especially with street noise. I guess it depends on your priorities—sometimes the “green” option works out better than expected.
I guess it depends on your priorities—sometimes the “green” option works out better than expected.
That’s a good point. I’ve used cellulose in a couple of projects, and it’s definitely surprised me with how well it handles noise. Still, I always wonder about settling over time—did you notice any gaps or cold spots after a year or two? I’m always torn between the eco-friendly angle and just wanting something I never have to think about again. Maybe I’m just paranoid after dealing with old fiberglass batts that basically turned to dust...
