| The importance of acoustical door seals is derived | | | | alignment are a common problem in newly |
| from a fundamental property of sound: Sound | | | | installed seals and can also surface later on as |
| waves travel through any opening with very little | | | | buildings shift and settle and doors cycle through |
| loss. While the amount of air flowing through a | | | | changes in temperature and humidity. For |
| gap increases in proportion with the size of the | | | | consistent performance over time, the most |
| gap, the size of the gap in a sound barrier does | | | | advanced acoustical door seals are designed with |
| not matter. A tiny hole transmits almost as much | | | | adjustable features to restore a sound-tight seal |
| sound as a much larger gap or hole. For example, | | | | when clearances increase for any reason. |
| a one square inch hole in one hundred square feet | | | | As with the door itself, the mass of the sealing |
| of gypsum board partition can transmit as much | | | | material used in acoustical gasketing is a major |
| sound as the rest of the partition. | | | | factor in achieving higher sound reduction ratings. |
| Because of this phenomenon, any unsealed gaps | | | | Combining complimentary materials can also |
| and clearances in door assemblies effectively | | | | provide better performance. Ultimately, the quality |
| cancel out the noise reduction benefits of sound | | | | of the acoustical gasketing or seal is the biggest |
| rated doors. The performance loss is especially | | | | factor in overcoming any installation hazards and |
| serious at medium to high frequencies, where | | | | determining how close the actual sound |
| normal conversation levels usually take place. | | | | performance of an assembly will come to the |
| For acoustical door seals to be effective at | | | | published rating of the door. |
| blocking sound, the seals around the head, jamb, | | | | Acoustical door seal kits are available that include |
| and sill of the door must be complete, | | | | an automatic door bottom, which is spring |
| uninterrupted and airtight throughout the service | | | | operated, dropping a neoprene seal onto a |
| life of the door. For uninterrupted contact, the | | | | threshold effectively sealing off the bottom of |
| door seals must be installed all on the same side | | | | the door. In addition to that, door seal kits include |
| of the door and frame. Performance also depends | | | | high-grade neoprene door jambs for the vertical |
| on good surface contact between the seals and | | | | sides and the top of the door. Custom kits are |
| the door edge or frame, which can usually be | | | | available for oversized, undersized doors as well |
| achieved using compression seals. | | | | as double doors. |
| However, gaps caused by imperfect door | | | | |