Match the door to the wall, not to the budget
Specify the door within about 5 STC points of the wall it sits in. An STC 55 wall paired with an STC 50 door is a balanced assembly; the same wall with an STC 35 door performs like a wall in the low thirties. Because doors are typically the weakest element in any partition, they deserve the most specification attention.
What actually delivers the rating
- Leaf construction: steel skins with mineral or composite core for STC 50+, engineered timber cores for STC 40–48
- Frame: fully welded and grouted or acoustically packed; a hollow, unpacked frame leaks sound around the reveal
- Perimeter seals: compression or magnetic seals on all three sides, adjustable after installation
- Threshold: automatic drop seals for hotels and studios; drop-and-cam or raised thresholds where the highest ratings are required
- Ironmongery: heavy-duty hinges rated for the leaf weight — an STC 55 double-leaf set is heavy and will sag on light hardware
Choosing by application
| Application | Recommended rating | Typical configuration |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel guest room entry | STC 40–45 | Timber leaf, drop seal, packed frame |
| Hospital consultation / imaging | STC 45–50 | Timber or metal leaf, vision panel option |
| Meeting and board rooms | STC 40–48 | Timber leaf, magnetic seals |
| Recording / control room | STC 50–60 | Metal leaf, often a sound lock with two doors |
| Cinema auditorium | STC 50–55 | Double leaf, automatic thresholds |
| Generator / plant room | STC 45–55 | Metal leaf, louvered variant with attenuator where ventilation is needed |
Vision panels, fire rating and UAE compliance
Vision panels reduce the door's rating unless they are specified as double or triple glazing with different pane thicknesses and an isolated frame. Combined acoustic and fire ratings must be tested together — a door certified for STC 55 and a door certified for 90 minutes fire resistance are not automatically one door.
For UAE projects, verify Civil Defence acceptance of the fire certification and confirm that seals, closers and thresholds are part of the certified configuration.
Sound locks: when one door is not enough
Above roughly STC 55, two doors separated by a small lobby outperform any single leaf and are usually cheaper. Absorb the lobby internally, avoid aligning the two leaves directly opposite one another, and ensure both doors cannot be held open at once.
Frequently asked questions
What STC rating do I need for a recording studio door?
STC 50 as a minimum for a control room, and STC 55–60 for a live room or drum booth. Above STC 55 the practical solution is usually a sound lock with two STC 45–50 doors rather than a single very heavy leaf.
Can a normal door be upgraded with seals?
Adding perimeter seals and an automatic drop seal to a solid-core door can gain a few points and remove obvious leaks, but it will not reach a certified rating. Where a tested performance is required by specification, a certified door set is the only route.
Are acoustic doors available fire rated in the UAE?
Yes. OSGT supplies acoustic door sets with combined acoustic and fire certification. The certification must cover the complete set, including seals, closer and threshold, in the configuration being installed.
Acoustic Doors
STC 45 – STC 60 heavy-duty metal & wooden acoustic doors.
View Acoustic Doors