When you’re building, renovating, or simply trying to improve the quiet in your space, one of the most overlooked decisions is the type of interior door you choose. Doors are more than just a way to separate rooms—they can make or break your soundproofing efforts.
Among the many options out there, two of the most common interior door types are solid-core and hollow-core doors. If you’re wondering which of these two is better at blocking sound, you’re not alone. This guide explores everything you need to know about both types and helps you determine which door works best for your noise-reduction needs.
Before we jump into soundproofing performance, let’s get familiar with how these doors are built. The construction of a door plays a huge role in how well it can block or absorb sound.
Hollow-Core Doors
Hollow-core doors are commonly found in residential homes because they are affordable, lightweight, and easy to install. Despite the name, these doors aren’t completely hollow. Instead, they have a honeycomb or grid-like cardboard or plastic core sandwiched between two thin outer panels, typically made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) or plywood.
Key features of hollow-core doors:
Inexpensive (usually $30–$220)
Very light (around 25–30 pounds)
Easy to install and replace
Poor at blocking noise
Because they lack mass and density, hollow-core doors don’t do a great job of keeping noise out. You’ll often find them used for closets, pantries, and sometimes bedrooms in budget homes or rental properties.
Solid-Core Doors
Solid-core doors are much denser and heavier. They’re typically made of a wood veneer on the outside with a core filled with solid composite wood, particleboard, or high-density fiberboard.
Key features of solid-core doors:
Heavier (weighs between 45–70 pounds)
More expensive (typically $100–$500+)
Excellent for blocking sound
Feels more substantial and higher quality
These doors mimic the weight and sound-dampening properties of solid wood but come at a lower cost. They’re a popular choice for homeowners who want both durability and acoustic performance.
How Sound Travels Through Doors
To understand how each door performs, it helps to know how sound behaves.
Sound is a vibration that travels through air and solid materials. When it comes to doors, the key to blocking or reducing that vibration lies in the door’s mass and how well it seals the gaps around it.
Two Key Concepts:
Mass Law: The denser the material, the better it blocks sound.
STC Rating (Sound Transmission Class): A numerical rating that shows how much sound a building element (like a door) can block. Higher STC = better soundproofing.
Typical STC Ratings:
Hollow-core doors: 20–25 STC
Solid-core doors: 30–35 STC
Solid wood doors: 35–40 STC
Specialized acoustic doors: 45+ STC
Noise Blocking: Hollow-Core vs. Solid-Core Doors
Let’s break down the difference in noise performance more clearly.
Hollow-Core Doors: What to Expect
If you install a hollow-core door between rooms, you’ll likely notice every little sound traveling through. Conversations, phone calls, the TV, even the tapping of shoes—they all leak through. Because they lack mass, these doors vibrate easily and don’t absorb sound well.
Even with added weatherstripping, the improvement is minimal. They may help with visual privacy, but when it comes to acoustic privacy, hollow-core doors fall short.
Solid-Core Doors: What to Expect
Solid-core doors, by contrast, offer a noticeable improvement. The denser core material resists vibration and absorbs sound waves more effectively. When properly sealed with weatherstripping and installed correctly, a solid-core door can drastically reduce noise between rooms.
You won’t get complete silence, but loud sounds like conversations or music from the next room will be muffled or reduced to background noise.
Beyond the Core: What Else Affects Door Acoustics?
While the door core is critical, several other factors influence how much sound gets through.
1. Door Frame & Installation
Even the best door will underperform if it’s installed poorly. Gaps around the frame or under the door can allow sound to pass through.
Sound sneaks through even the smallest openings. Adding weatherstripping around the door jamb and a sweep under the door blocks air gaps and helps prevent sound leakage.
Pro tip: Look for acoustic-grade or high-density rubber weatherstripping.
3. Door Thickness
Thicker doors block more sound. Most solid-core doors are 1 3/4″ thick compared to the 1 3/8″ standard for hollow-core doors.
4. Room Acoustics
Adding rugs, curtains, and upholstered furniture in the room can also reduce echo and sound reflection, making a solid-core door even more effective.
Pros and Cons at a Glance
Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison of the two door types:
Feature
Hollow-Core Door
Solid-Core Door
Cost
✔ Budget-friendly
✔ Mid to high range
Weight
✔ Lightweight
✘ Heavy (may need stronger hinges)
Installation
✔ Easy DIY
✘ May require professional help
Durability
✘ Prone to damage
✔ Very durable
Soundproofing
✘ Poor
✔ Good
Aesthetic feel
✘ Feels cheaper
✔ Feels substantial
Fire resistance
✘ Low
✔ Moderate
Ideal Use Cases for Each Type
Where Hollow-Core Doors Make Sense
Closets or utility rooms
Pantry doors
Light-use areas where soundproofing isn’t a concern
Budget-limited renovations or rentals
Where Solid-Core Doors Shine
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Home offices
Nurseries
Media rooms or home theaters
Apartments and shared living spaces
Real-Life Examples
Let’s look at a few situations where your choice of door really matters.
1. Home Office Setup
With so many people working from home, having a quiet office is critical. If your office has a hollow-core door, you’ll hear household noise—kids, cooking, vacuuming. A solid-core door can help you focus and keep Zoom calls professional.
2. Sleeping Baby in the Next Room
New parents know that any sudden noise can wake a sleeping baby. Installing a solid-core door on the nursery keeps out household sounds and helps your baby (and you) sleep better.
3. Roommate Situation
If you’re sharing a home or apartment with others, a solid-core door provides much-needed privacy. Whether it’s late-night studying, music practice, or just personal space, sound isolation goes a long way in keeping the peace.
Can You Improve a Hollow-Core Door?
Yes—but there are limits. Here are a few budget-friendly ways to boost a hollow-core door’s sound performance:
1. Add a Door Sweep
Install a rubber or silicone sweep at the bottom of the door to close off the gap.
2. Use Weatherstripping
Apply peel-and-stick weatherstripping around the door frame to minimize gaps.
3. Apply Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
This heavy, flexible soundproofing material can be attached to the back of the door. While effective, it changes the appearance of the door.
With these additions, a solid-core door can rival the performance of some dedicated soundproof doors—at a fraction of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are solid-core doors completely soundproof?
Not entirely. They reduce noise significantly but don’t eliminate it completely. For full soundproofing, consider specialized acoustic doors and added soundproofing around the frame.
Do I need to replace my door frame for better soundproofing?
Not always, but it helps if the frame is solid and well-sealed. Hollow or poorly fitted frames allow sound to leak around even the best door.
Are solid wood doors better than solid-core?
Solid wood is denser and can perform better, but it’s also heavier, more expensive, and prone to warping. Solid-core is a good balance of performance, cost, and stability.
Is the weight of solid-core doors a problem?
It can be for DIY installs. You may need help hanging the door, and you’ll want to use heavy-duty hinges.
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
If noise reduction is a priority—whether it’s for sleeping, working, or relaxing—solid-core doors are the clear winner. They offer significantly better sound isolation, a longer lifespan, and a more premium feel.
However, if you’re working with a tight budget or replacing doors in non-critical areas, hollow-core doors still have a place.
Our recommendation:
Use solid-core doors for bedrooms, bathrooms, offices, and any space where peace and privacy matter.
Use hollow-core doors for closets, pantries, and less critical rooms.
By understanding your needs and how doors impact your acoustic environment, you can make a smart investment that improves comfort, privacy, and even the resale value of your home.
Need help picking the right door or planning a noise-reduction project? Drop your questions in the comments or reach out—we’d be happy to help you soundproof your space the smart way.
