Barn Door on a Bathroom...Too Noisy?

It's been a while since we installed the sliding barn door on our bathroom and after some use, we realized that it was pretty noisy. I went to work figuring out how to resolve the issue by using a strip of hardwood on each side to close the gap between the door and the trim.
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"If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. It's the hard that makes it great." ~ Tom Hanks

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Have you put a barn door on your bathroom? If so, how have you dealt with the noise?

[@conniesmith3828]

We just installed a barn door on the bathroom and this was the exact reason my husband didn't want to do this. THANK YOU... I will use the same idea to remove any concern regarding sound. ;)

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Thanks Connie! Good luck!

[@Blue_Azure101]

It’s not just the noise that’s coming out for me 😂

[@paulwagner9340]

Weatherstripping to fill the gap. Simple and easy.

[@daniellethrush6021]

Best advice I’ve seen on this issue! Thank you!

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Thanks Danielle!

[@butterscotch1554]

thanks so much for sharing this video you just solved a big problem in my house!!!

[@peterbarlow8912]

If the trailing edge of your door aligns with edge of your square door casing on closed you could add a batten to that edge that laps and stops against the casing edge. It might have to terminate above the baseboard. It would also have to not lap the casing edge fully or it would scrub the wall when opening.

[@dianabrown8641]

I just had a barn door installed over my laundry closet (just large enough to house the washer and dryer and water heater) which is located in my living room😫 I have two doors that split in the middle. Do you think it would work to put foam around the door opening and not on the door itself to avoid rubbing on the walls and if so, what material would you recommend?

[@lisakedward1162]

We have just put a barn door on our newly refitted bathroom.. It's not totally finished yet as we did a diy pipe and hook and eye type rail. We were havibg the same issue as yourself and decided to add a piece of wood like you did but u Added it onto the wall side frame as a bumper/stopper and it works really well. Our door is taller than the door way so traveling noise really x Can only be heard if someone was right outside the door. I honestly would add some weather shield door strips /trim that have a foam/rubber/silicone seal to keep it enclosed. How about a motion activated speaker to play a little tune?

[@rebeccamaletto-cornell783]

We are considering putting a barn door in our upstairs bathroom. The doorway is at the top of the steps and the bathroom is very small. I'm hoping by putting one on will allow us more room in the actual bathroom. Thanks for sharing ideas.

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Aside from loving the look of barn doors, this was the main reason for us going with the barn door on the bathroom....just to give us the extra real-estate in the bathroom itself. Obviously you need the wall space to accommodate the door, but that aside, we love having this on our bathroom. Everyone that visits always compliments the look and with the added trim to help with the noise, it's functional too!

[@georgebush6002]

I have a similar set up and have been looking at either a pocket or barn door

[@manloychan9443]

I think theres a strip of black brush like, you ll send them in the side of the escalator, not sure does that help cos it will be closely and not obstructing the door.

[@jessicaramos6692]

I have the same problem. The reason I chose to put the barn door was because the bathroom is super small and having a regular hanging door made it feel much more crammed. Unfortunately a pocket door was not an option as I have a vent on the lower half of the wall.. My issue along with the noise is the smell...if you know what I mean. I have a white door.. In place of wood, do you think weather stripping would work equally or better?

[@heidimoon9981]

I put a sliding barn door up for my bathroom. It looks amazing!!! However, it bowed/warped. Now it doesn't close like it should. I'm so disappointed. Any idea how to fix this?

[@hopidushibosa]

I am considering to install a barn door as an exterior door for a home trailer I am renovation. The door will open to the wooden patio. So I thought a barn door look nice. BUT like you I was thinking about the gap between the door and the wall. Now I was looking at T-Shape wheel bracket, rather than the one most everybody uses. That way the gap is less (due to no screws) and since I am remodeling, make the trim a bit thicker to close the gap even more. What you think?? Nice video

[@enjoyyourtime]

Was thinking what about adding a strip of small brush type thing (not sure how they are called. I think that would catch the rest of the sound.

[@chaymation2]

can confirm this works well. I put the extra wood either side of the door frame rather than on the door itself, and then added the brush type weather stripping (only 5mm) to the rear side of the door along the top and down the side that you never see, this completely seals the gap on those sides. I might put a piece of wood for the other side to rest in (with a piece of weather stripping in that gap too) and maybe a longer brush type sweep strip along the bottom. That should seal it completely.

[@canhandletheheat]

Hi! I know it's very subjective, but if you were to compare the sound dampening of your new setup to that of a standard door (which naturally creates a seal when you close it), how much sound would you say still passes through? Thanks!

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Hi Alex, it’s definitely not as sealed as a standard door, but it’s hard to tell how much sound comes through the remaining gaps and how much is just through the 2x4 walls. In either case, while you can hear some, it’s not unbearable. Like you said though, it is subjective!

[@canhandletheheat]

@@TheHomeownersCookbook Thanks!

[@Aph87]

Was waiting for ace venture scene where you prove the sound barrier

[@jberglan]

Going to put a barn door on my master bathroom because the door hits the tub when its open about 100 degrees. I am a little worried about this gap but since its in my master bedroom will it probably not be an issue?

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Thank sounds like a good place to put one...I bet that will look great! I would be less concerned in a master bath for sure!

[@husher5142]

my biggest issue with the gap is more visibility of peaking or curious eyes

[@Dena_Sexton1]

GREAT IDEA!! Because I had such a big gap for the door I made for my guest bathroom I moved the barn door to our master since it's just my husband and I...great idea!! What did you do to lock the door?

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Thanks! We use just a simple black hook and eye for the lock inside the bathroom.

[@brittanyjohnson3417]

What color stain did you use for this door? I like the tone on of it

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

We used Varathane Golden Oak. You can find it here: www.homedepot.com/p/Varathane-1-qt-Golden-Oak-Classic-Wood-Interior-Stain-339702/305342997?

[@Maeceea59]

Do you apply the strip on both sides of the door to close both sides?

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

We did, because in that location (a hallway), we wanted to block the sound from both sides. My guess is it wouldn’t work as well to do just one.

[@Maeceea59]

@@TheHomeownersCookbook Thank you! Our situation exactly the same. A hallway.

[@bigdogkropp]

Dude better to put a wood strip on the inside edge of the door that will butt up against the side of the door trim. You can add compressible foam weatherstripping to seal the gap. On leading edge of door you would have to put the wood strip on the door frame to pertrude out and butt against the side of the door. V shaped compressible foam with vinyl cover on top and bottom of door.

[@trevino37]

Did you placed the door trim on both sides of the barn door? Have you considered placing a rubber trim that will seal the sound on both sides? it will slide against the door ir the wall like a winshield wipper. Just a thought.

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Yes, trim on both sides. I considered doing rubber trim, but ultimately decided against it just from a look and wear perspective. I was afraid that it would eventually rub off the stain or paint (depending on where you put it) from rubbing all the time. I can imagine it would seal off the sound better if you could find a good way to make it work!

[@trevino37]

@@TheHomeownersCookbook the thought of rubbing against the wall or door came to mind as well. I’m still undecided between a Barn door and a pocket door but I like the addition on your barn door. Thanks for sharing and will stay in touch if I figure out on how to add the rubber piece. Also thought of a rubber seal on the inside of the barn door addition that you added that could rest against the frame and make a seal as it’s closed. Easy to make for the left side but not sure how for the right side- when closing from right to left.

[@robertnoble6956]

I'm confronting the same issue this weekend. Is there any reason why you couldn't just buy thicker trim?

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

I suppose you could do that as well! In our case I preferred to leave the trim as is and add the strip of wood to the door.

[@robertlewis2428]

How do you lock the door to the frame?

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

We use just a simple black hook and eye for the lock inside the bathroom.

[@samyoungblood3740]

Would a strip of weather stripping work? Or would it scrape the wall I wonder?

[@talkingmissions]

He has a build up with the casing so the weather striping does not have to touch the wall. I think that's what I will do.

[@richardmueller1067]

you can use a door sweep, brushed. no more noise

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

Thanks for the tip Richard! Have you done this and it works?

[@makerPM]

We have one that we're planning on trying door sweeps and weather stripping.

[@robertl6631]

What kinds of noises are we talking about here? From inside the bathroom or coming from outside of the bathroom?

[@TheHomeownersCookbook]

It helps with noises from both sides, but it's the ones from inside the bathroom leaking out to the living area that I'm most concerned about...;-)

[@jorrba3934]

I think he's talking about the smell, not so much about the noise. Or maybe 🤔 both. Great tip though.

[@gulllllll1]

Wanted to put this on our bedroom ,but not sure as I don't want any one hearing me and the Mrs going at it 😅has any one done it this

[@mgarzonf]

🌎🇪🇨🙂👍