Interior Door Shopping..homeowners help?

santucci218 · #1 10-09-2008, 12:51 PM

Never though I would make a thread about this, but I guess I have done more odd things.

Anyways, I live in my grandparents basement (GEEK ALERT) and I'm trying to make it so im not so noisy when I'm playing bass or wowing the ladies. Anyways, I've been looking to put a door at the top of the steps. I see many different kinds of doors, but which would block sound best? I assume a solid-wood door would be better then a hollow-wood door, but I can't seem to find one at a reasonable price! My granny mentioned something about plastic resin doors or some dump....any word or tips? What about Bi-Fold Doors?

**baba** · #2 10-09-2008, 12:58 PM

Density blocks sound, so yes a solid heavy door with insulation filling all crevices when closed would work best. Check craigslist for a used one. Note: hanging a door sucks. A door with frame included (pre-hung) will make it a little easier.

santucci218 · #3 10-09-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by baba

Density blocks sound, so yes a solid heavy door with insulation filling all crevices when closed would work best. Check craigslist for a used one. Note: hanging a door sucks. A door with frame included (pre-hung) will make it a little easier.

hmm, used doors. Never thought of that one!

**baba** · #4 10-09-2008, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santucci218

hmm, used doors. Never thought of that one!

Yep, here's one free in Pittsburgh. Be sure to check your opening size. http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/zip/815976417.html

santucci218 · #5 10-09-2008, 01:20 PM

now...just to be stupid...the spot on the wall once had a door. i see where the hinges and knob thingy went. do i still need a frame?

scottic2 · #6 10-09-2008, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by santucci218

now...just to be stupid...the spot on the wall once had a door. i see where the hinges and knob thingy went. do i still need a frame?

You can try to just get a solid door and put it in the place where the old door was, but first, you have to make sure that it fits in the space (correct height and width). The second issue is that after your house has settled, the old existing door frame has settled with it. Most likely, the 'new' door that you are going to try and hang in place of the old door will not be a direct fit. It is MUCH easier to install the door + the door jam at the same time. If you're strapped for cahs and find a free door that is the correct height and width, you can most likely get a planer (you can rent them from Home Depot) and shave it down until it fits into the opening correctly. It probably won't open and close smoothly, but I don't think you can expect too much from a free door.

**baba** · #7 10-09-2008, 01:30 PM

Possibly. Hanging a door on an existing door frame can be a bitch since they won't match perfectly. Also, that exterior door is wood but faced with metal so sawing it down if needed won't work.

You are better off removing the existing old door frame and buying a door with frame. Keep in mind, I'm not a contractor, I'm just basing this on experience of installing 6 interior doors. But for free, a used door with or without frame may be worth a shot if it is the right size for the door opening.