I live in a house built in 1919, and while it needs a lot of maintenance, my biggest issue is how noisy it is. I can hear conversations clearly downstairs even with my bedroom door closed, plus there are noticeable gaps around the edges of the doors. I assume the doors have never been replaced, and the house has settled over the last century. I'm curious if houses from this era typically used solid core doors. The doors feel quite light, which makes me think they might be hollow core, and the doorknobs look like they are from the early 20th century too, suggesting they haven't been replaced. Should I even bother getting estimates for new doors if these are probably solid core and wouldn't fix the noise problem? Thanks in advance!
3 Answers
Pictures would definitely help us give a better answer. If your doors are original, they're usually not hollow core. However, if they've been changed out at some point, that could explain the extra gaps. Those details about the gaps and the original doorknobs are quite telling!
If those doors are original, they shouldn't be hollow core. But it's possible they've been replaced with thinner versions that don’t block sound well. If you notice large gaps, it could mean the previous flooring was different, and the doors might have been adjusted or replaced. Definitely consider the condition of the panels too!
Most likely, your doors aren't hollow core. They probably have a few flat panels framed by stiles and rails, but a picture would really help confirm that. There's also a chance they were replaced during a remodel, which might explain the gaps if they weren't fitted properly. Adding new doors could help with the noise issue, especially if you go for solid core options!
Thanks for your input! I’ll try to upload a picture tonight for clarity.