A carefully fitted standard hollow-core interior door will provide a sound reduction value of approximately what?

A carefully fitted standard hollow-core interior door is designed to provide a certain level of sound insulation. The sound reduction value, measured in decibels (dB), indicates how much sound energy is reduced as it passes through the door.

Hollow-core doors typically have a frame made of wood and a core that is usually filled with a lightweight honeycomb material or cardboard. This construction allows them to be lightweight while still providing reasonable sound attenuation. When properly installed, these doors can dampen sound considerably due to their mass and the sealing around the edges.

In this case, the estimate of a sound reduction of approximately 20-25 dB aligns well with industry standards for hollow-core doors. This sound reduction is effective for blocking everyday noises, making such doors suitable for interior applications where privacy and noise reduction are important, such as in bedrooms or offices.

Higher sound reduction values are generally associated with solid-core doors, which are heavier and denser, thus capable of blocking more sound compared to hollow-core doors. Therefore, while the sound reduction of 20-25 dB is effective for typical interior noise issues, it is also understood that the performance is not as high as that of a solid-core door, which would offer more sound attenuation.