Door seals have been designed to protect us against a range of door and window sealing systems for the containment of energy and the exclusion of noise, fire, smoke, vermin, insects and bushfire embers.
Raven has developed much of the technology and led many of the advances in weather, acoustic, fire and smoke sealing systems.
Sounds of silence.
Many of us have rooms we would like to keep external noise out. It could be a study, an office, a meditation room, a music room, a bedroom. Whatever room, there is a way to reduce outside noise without going overboard on soundproofing.
Firstly there are a few basics.
The construction of the room:
Are the walls hollow or are they made of brick.
Are the doors hollow core or are they solid?
Is the ceiling insulated or left bare.
Is their carpet on the floor?
Solid core doors, and walls of brick will help keep external noise at a distance. Insulation in the ceiling will help reduce noise travel. So before you begin soundproofing your room answer those questions.
If you have hollow walls and hollow core doors you will not achieve great sound proof benefits by undertaking what follows.
Carpet on the floor will help reduce noise. The thickness and type of carpet will impact noise reduction. If you have wooden floors or concrete flooring a suitable carpet will enhance noise reduction.
This is a basic sound proofing exercise at an affordable cost. If you are after a total sound proof system that locks out all noise you will need to seek out a consultant for the best option.
The Raven RP8 and RP120 seals combination offer a simple and effective soundproofing option. Easy to install and effective immediately. For more information, advice, or other alternatives please visit our showroom for those details.
RAVEN RP8 automatic door bottom seal
A concealed, automatic door bottom seal that is spring loaded to lift clear of the floor when the door is opened. It is acoustically designed, featuring silicon gaskets for medium temperature smoke and fire door applications. Operated automatically by pressure against the door jamb on its adjustable strike. RP8Si can also be fitted into the bottom rail of a metal door by the fabricator. Has a level adjustment to achieve an optimum seal.
Location: Fully morticed into a 15mm x 34mm groove into the bottom of single and double butt hinged timber and metal doors.
Min/Max Gap: 3mm to 13mm.
Finish: Satin clear (silver), bronze or black anodised aluminium (15µm).
Sizes: 1500mm, 1220mm, 1070mm, 920mm, 820mm, 600mm, 380mm to 295mm(min). Seals cut back to exact size.
RAVEN RP120
RP120 is a co-extruded PVC acoustic smoke seal that is discreetly located in the protected corners of rebated timber or steel door and window frames. RP120 is now available in white as well as black to blend in with frames and is suitable for both new and retrofit projects.
Can be used in conjunction with Raven door bottom seals and astragals and threshold plates.
Location: Around metal or timber rebated frames of single and double butt hinged doors and windows.
Min/Max Gap: 3mm to 5.5mm.
Fixing: Aggressive self adhesive backing tape on both sides of the carrier.
Seal: Black or white co-extruded rigid and flexible flame retardant PVC.
Sizes: Available in door set sizes.
Alternative Bottom Seals
RAVEN RP35
An adjustable, automatic door bottom seal that is spring loaded to lift clear of the floor when the door is opened. It is acoustically designed, featuring silicon gaskets for medium temperature smoke and fire door applications. Operated automatically by pressure against the door jamb or stop on its adjustable strike.
Location: Face mounted or semi-morticed into the bottom of solid core single and double butt hinged doors. The RP35Si can also be face mounted to the bottom of metal doors.
Min/Max Gap: 3mm to 13mm.
Finish: Satin clear (silver) or bronze anodised aluminium (15µm).
Fixing: Concealed screw fix. Zinc plated, cross recess head S.T. screws, colour matched escutcheon plates and cover strip supplied. Fixing holes are pre-slotted.
Sizes: 1220mm, 1070mm, 920mm, 820mm, 600mm, 380mm to 295mm(min). Seals cut back to exact size.
RAVEN RP4
A storm proof door bottom seal and threshold plate that is ideal where maximum weather protection is required. The RP4 multi-blade seal defies rain infiltration.
Can be fitted to the square cut bottom of a door without removing the door, provided there is an existing gap of 25mm. It is quick and easy to fit to both door and sill.
The sealing section is slotted for adjustment.
Location: Bottom of single and double butt hinged doors and sill. Minimum door thickness of 35mm.
Min/Max Gap: 23mm to 25mm.
Finish: Satin clear (silver), bronze or bright gold anodised aluminium (15µm) with anodised threshold plate (25µm).
Fixing: Concealed screw fix. Zinc plated, cross recess head S.T. screws and cover strip supplied. Fixing holes are pre-slotted. Threshold plate fixing holes are pre-punched and countersunk.
Sizes: Available in stock lengths.
The trouble with doors
The trouble with doors is that they hang off a frame by hinges, leaving a gap all the way round. In particular and most noticeable is the gap left at the floor is open. The top and side gaps are covered by the door frame itself in most cases. The gap on the floor has no frame edge nor obstruction to stop the flow of sound (water, smoke, smell, gas, vermin, etc.)
Using the Raven RP120 we can seal the space between the door frame and the actual door at the top and along the sides. But the bottom remains open.
The bottom of the door presents a problem. It needs to be sealed if we want to reduce the sound level. To do this we need to introduce a door seal that with the door closed the seal provides a tight seal preventing the flow of sound to enter. Opening the door allows the seal to retract and freely open the door.
The Raven RP8 is probably the better bottom door seal having a concealed appearance and providing a tight bottom seal to the door. Alternatives being the RP35 which similar to the RP8, though is face fixed and visible. The RP4 is a simple easy install and effective. It is visible but provides a suitable seal for the bottom of the door.
The choice will depend largely on the door and how it is fitted to the door frame. These are factors that need to be taken into consideration when installing a door seal set. A picture of the door in situ can assist with the selection of recommended door seals.
As has been said, there are many alternatives and options available. Please ask the questions before purchase to save any delays down the chosen path. We look forward to seeing you in our showroom.
More information from our door seal suppliers can be found here on our website.
At ADH we take closing doors and sealing doors seriously. We offer a large range of solutions to meet your door closing needs. Talk to us about sound proofing door seals and soft closing solutions. We offer Raven, Lorient and Kilargo door seals. Dorma, Rutland, Feathers, FritsJurgens, and JNF Door closer solutions. There is more, visit us today.