Best way to sound proof a sliding door?

Question

What is the best way to soundproof a sliding door?

I live in an old house with a 84" x 64" sliding door between me and my roommate's bedroom, and the sound carries almost as though there is nothing in between us.

I would prefer to do as little permanant damage to the walls as possible. Most of what I find searching for this seems like overkill. I'm not trying to build a recording studio in my room, I just want the sound to blocked at around the same level of any other wall in the house.

Will heavy curtains do this? Is sealing the cracks in the door more important? Some kind of cheap foam behind a curtain?

Answer 1

Well, if you don't mind blocking the see-through quality of the glass, then use rigid foam insulation panels, and glue them to the glass surface (or screw them to the framework). You can get that in thickness from 1/2 inch to 3 inches. You can paint the aluminum foil surface, then use the curtain to hide the details.

The best way is to eliminate the door. Use studs to frame in the wall and sheetrock both sides...

Answer 2

Hang a heavy tapestry over the opening, if it has a foam backing it will work even better. Now you have to find one that meets your taste and aesthetics. Go to Home Decorating, and ask what it should look like. If you left it to me...It would be a copy of the "Sharoud of Tourin".