Acoustic Doors
Optimizing the Performance of Acoustic Doors
In the age of open floor plans and chiming cell phones, silence is golden. That may explain the growing demand by architects and building owners for acoustic doors.
Acoustic doors are engineered to prevent a specific amount of sound from passing through a door. They have been common in loud environments such as manufacturing facilities and music studios for decades, but they have become increasingly popular in office buildings, hotels, and schools too.
Benefits of Acoustic Doors
Acoustic doors are engineered to block, absorb, and dampen sound. This creates a more controlled environment in some commercial, industrial, and residential settings. They deliver performance advantages that go well beyond ordinary interior or exterior doors:
- Superior noise reduction—tested and rated (STC) to keep disruptive sounds out or in
- Greater speech privacy for offices, hospitals, studios, and meeting spaces
- Enhanced productivity and well-being by minimizing background noise and distractions
- Regulatory compliance with building codes and industry standards for sound isolation
- Improved energy efficiency thanks to tight seals that also limit air leakage
- Added property value and tenant appeal through higher acoustic comfort
STC Ratings for Acoustic Doors
A door’s Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating specifies how much sound is prevented from passing through the door. The higher the STC rating, the more sound resistant the door.
STC | What can be heard |
|---|---|
| 25 | Normal speech can be understood easily and distinctly |
| 30 | Loud speech can be understood fairly well; normal speech heard but not understood |
| 35 | Loud speech audible but not intelligible |
| 40 | Onset of “privacy” |
| 42 | Loud speech audible as a murmur |
| 45 | Loud speech not audible |
| 50 | Very loud sounds such as musical instruments or a stereo can be faintly heard |
| 60+ | Superior soundproofing; most sounds inaudible |
Acoustic Doors Doors vs Soundproof Doors
The terms “acoustic door” and “soundproof door” are often used interchangeably. This is incorrect as they point to two ends of the same spectrum.
- Acoustic doors reduce noise transmission to a specified Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating. Their design allows conversations to stay private with external clatter muted.
- Soundproof doors aim for maximum isolation. Their designs layer dense cores, multi-seal frames, and specialized glazing . A soundproof door blocks nearly all audible frequencies. They are ideal for recording studios, critical testing labs, or high-stakes boardrooms.
Every soundproof door is acoustic, but not every acoustic door is fully soundproof.
Resources
SDI has developed a variety of resources for architects, specifiers and distributors on acoustic doors below.
Article
The Benefits of STC Rated Doors When Acoustics are a Priority
FAQ
FAQ from Architects on Acoustic Doors & Specifications
SDI 128
Guidelines for Acoustical Performance of Standard Steel Doors and Frames
Presentation
Covers STC, wood grain finish, blast and tornado resistance, and more
Webinar
The Acoustic Series: A Focus on Fenestration
Manufacturers
The acoustic door manufacturers below have been audited to meet SDI standards.
