Will a pocket door's 'pocket' amplify sound?

kpeel

We are planning to put an ensuite bathroom into our bedroom.  To save space, our design includes a pocket (sliding) door.  My wife has a concern that I would appreciate some help on; would the pocket, that the pocket door slides out of, act as an amplifier for any sounds emanating from the ensuite bathroom?

tacpot12

Theoretically, you might get some resonance in the space, but it's very unlikely. The faces of the pocket will presumably be made of plasterboard, which is quite a good insulator for sound. If you want to stop any risk of sound escaping and resonance, putting two layers of 15mm plasterboard on the inside of the pocket door (or 15mm of plasterboard and 12mm of concrete backerboard if you want to tile over the pocket). This will stop the sound reaching the pocket. No sound in the pocket = no chance of resonance. 

For even more insurance against noise use two layers of Gyproc 15mm SoundBloc plasterboard and a layer of Green Glue between them.  This board has extra weight over normal plasterboard to reduce sound transmission further, and the Green Glue never sets and absorbs the sound still further. 

kpeel

That's really helpful thanks.  

Swasterix

I have double pocket doors between my living room and dining room. Can’t say I’ve noticed that any more sound travels between the two compared to a normal stud wall. Having said that to be safe you could use acoustic plasterboard, although presumably you are more likely to get sound travelling through/around the door?

Rosa_Damascena

Swasterix said:

I have double pocket doors between my living room and dining room. Can’t say I’ve noticed that any more sound travels between the two compared to a normal stud wall. Having said that to be safe you could use acoustic plasterboard, although presumably you are more likely to get sound travelling through/around the door?

Do you have carpet down or hard flooring? I think that would make a difference. 

I've got a pocket door between my bedroom and en-suite but since there's only me I cannot say I have noticed! The cheap MSE solution for those worried about such things is to stick a radio / some music on in the bedroom. 

stueyhants

We have a pocket door between a kitchen and hallway/bathroom (pocket by bathroom and door by hallway) all three with solid floor and can’t say I’ve noticed anything different to a standard wall or door.

oh_really

kpeel said:

We are planning to put an ensuite bathroom into our bedroom.  To save space, our design includes a pocket (sliding) door.  My wife has a concern that I would appreciate some help on; would the pocket, that the pocket door slides out of, act as an amplifier for any sounds emanating from the ensuite bathroom?

Splashes and trickles will be suitably enhanced.