Why Is There Cardboard On My Bedroom Door?

Last Updated on July 25, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Cardboard on the bedroom door is likely used for soundproofing or insulation purposes. It can reduce noise transmission and drafts, providing a cost-effective temporary solution. However, cardboard is not a long-term fix, and for better results, consider using dedicated door draft stoppers or weatherstripping materials.

Pros and Cons of Cardboard On Bedroom Doors

	Pros	Cons
1.	Versatility: Cardboard is easy to cut and shape, making it a versatile material for decorating bedroom doors.	Durability: Cardboard is not a durable material, it can be easily damaged by moisture, pets, or regular wear and tear.
2.	Cost-effective: Using cardboard is a cost-effective option as it is less expensive compared to other materials like metal or wood.	Appearance: While it can be painted or decorated, cardboard does not have the same aesthetic appeal or finish as a smoother, harder material.
3.	Customizability: Cardboard can be easily painted or decorated to match the room’s theme.	Insulation: Cardboard doesn’t provide the same level of thermal or sound insulation as other materials.
4.	Eco-friendly: Cardboard is biodegradable, making it an environmentally friendly option.	Ongoing Maintenance: Cardboard can absorb odors and stains, therefore requiring constant replacement.
5.	Ease of Installation: Cardboard can be easily attached to a door using glue, staples or tape.	Safety Concerns: Cardboard is highly flammable, which can pose a potential fire hazard.

Why Use Cardboard On Bedroom Doors?

Cardboard bedroom doors are also known as the hollow core. They are made of honeycomb and cardboard in the interiors; hence they are not empty on the inside. Cardboards are wrapped in fiberboard, making them cheap and easy to manufacture. They are also very light such that they can be easily handled by one person, making them the best choice for people who prefer to do their door installations. 

Additionally, they are affordable and come with a wide range of options, making them a huge selling point, especially for contractors and homeowners who require many interior doors for replacement and installation. 

The main problem associated with these door types is that they have poor sound insulation, which may need you to go for a backup. They are also less durable and hard to fix.

How Do Bedroom Doors With Cardboards Compare With Other Wooden Door Types?

Most people fail to put interior doors into consideration when designing their homes. But, doors can either make or break your home. Selecting the right door type is not an easy task as they serve unique purposes. Some of these doors include; 

Solid Core Doors

These doors are made of a combination of synthetic wood and wood composites. They have a wood veneer exterior that is heavy with a solid interior. Solid core doors are known for their high durability levels, and sound insulation ability, and are less expensive. In some way, the solid core doors bring together the benefits of solid wood and hollow core doors. 

Some of the advantages of these doors include affordability, durability, resistance to temperature and moisture changes, and great insulation abilities, which help prevent sound transfers from one room to another.

These doors also have some cons, such as difficulty during installation due to their heavy weight and limited style options. They are also impossible to repair, which calls for a new door in case one gets damaged.

Solid Wood Doors

They are made of a frame and panel from natural wood, primarily pine or hardwood such as oak. They are rarely made of wooden slabs. Solid wood doors are compact and stable, making them suitable for exterior use. In most cases, they are 100% made of natural wood except for the accessories. They tend to have an excellent sound blockage which sometimes depends on the wood type used. Softwoods such as pine are poor sound insulators compared to hardwoods such as maple and oak, which offer the best sound blockers from one room to another. 

Some of the pros of these doors are substantial, robust, and high sound insulation abilities and fire resistance nature. Conversely, they come with cons, such as the high buying and installation costs. They are also prone to expanding, warping, and contracting when exposed to different temperatures. When used for interior purposes, solid wood doors provide historical authenticity in a home.

Knowing the difference between the three-door types makes it easier to choose between them. Most homeowners combine both types since solid core doors are ideal for rooms that require high privacy levels and require more sound insulation. They are primarily used in bathrooms, bedrooms, and home offices. 

On the other hand, cardboard doors can be used for closets and pantry doors where minimal sound insulation is required. They are also used in kids’ bedrooms to hear them cry or call out for someone. Solid wood doors are used indoors and outdoor in places where the homeowner wants a traditional theme.

If you wish to save a few dollars and are tight on a budget, cardboard doors are the way to go. But, despite their higher costs, solid cores are better as they are more durable and less susceptible to moisture and temperature changes hence rarely call for replacement. 

Below is a table comparing the three wooden door types, including their nature, pros, and cons.

	Solid wood doors	Solid core doors	Hollow-core doors(doors with cardboard)
Nature of the door	A wooden door made of frame-and-panel without a slab	Engineered wood core door with naturals wood veneer for interior use	Made of cardboard with a hollow core for interior use only.
Pros	Higher resale value, solid, high soundproof	Stability, good sound insulation ability, cheaper than solid wood doors	Cheap, lightweight, easy to install
cons	Very expensive, unstable	Heavy and difficult to install	Less durable, low sound insulation abilities, low resale value

How Do Cardboard Doors And Solid Core Door Prices Compare?

Door type	Door size	Price
Cardboard door	2/6 x 6/8	$76
Solid core door	2/6 x 6/8	$114

A difference of about $36 may not be a lot of money when it is about one door. However, for apartment and hotel owners who require more than a hundred doors is a different case as they would be saving over $3600 on doors if they decided to go for the cardboard doors. The bottom line is that cardboard doors are a good option though they require proper care and maintenance to prevent regular repairs and replacements, which might cost you more in the long run.

Is It Possible To Soundproof A Bedroom Door That Has Cardboard?

In recent times, most homeowners prefer to use cardboard doors to save money despite its awful nature when it comes to soundproofing. But, they have come up with possible cheaper options for reducing the sound levels going through these doors by adding some mass and dampening. Some people have also resolved to make the doors completely soundproof despite loads of work required. 

How Can You Enhance Sound Insulation In A Cardboard Door?

Cardboard door manufacturers usually save time, money, and resources while still providing a door that serves its purpose of locking a room. For some reason, you may want to have a soundproof door.

 For instance, in case you live in a noisy neighborhood, it is difficult to catch some sleep while hearing unpleasing sounds from the outside. In some states, building codes prevent you from changing the door completely, which means that you have to go for other options. Some of the ways in which you can soundproof your cardboard door include; 

Adding Mass To The Door

When deciding on the material to use, you will be required to find the right product with a proportional thickness. It should not be too thick. One of the best materials you can go for is a sound-deadening foam like car interior foam. They are easy to install and tend to be less than an inch in thickness which means that you will still open the door properly.

Using Sound Deadening Fiberboard

Sound-deadening mats are ideal when fitted on the cardboard door. It adds a thin mass on the door and absorbs sound making it pretty compelling.

While there may be plenty of items and ways to add mass onto a bedroom cardboard door, it is impossible to make it completely soundproof. You will need to focus more on its weak points, such as the gaps inside the door, its frame, and the other side. You can also go for better alternatives, such as buying soundproof curtains, which is the most accessible alternative.

How Do You Mount Screws On A Cardboard Bedroom Door?

Such doors do not have much solid mass, and using screws on them will mainly cause them to tear down as soon as weight is applied. Such fragility makes mounting items on these doors much more complicated. Mounting anything on hollow-core bedroom doors requires special anchors and screws. 

These special anchors are plastic with the ability to fold flat, making them fit inside a pilot hole that is carefully drilled into the door. Once it is inserted, the anchor is opened up using a minor key spreading out its interior brackets. It clamps on the anchor’s collar facing the door like a toggle bolt giving way for you to drive in the screw until it is tight enough.

Conclusion

Your bedroom door has cardboard because it is a hollow core interior door. Hollow core doors are easy to install, cheap, and very light, making it stress-free for homeowners to do it themselves. The cardboard used in hollow core doors helps to enhance its rigidity and resistance from warping. In case of damage, they are difficult to repair, which calls for a new replacement door. Some people opt to buy door skin from local manufacturers. They then stick it using glue over the damaged part or on the entire door giving it a whole new look.

References:

https://chenkinworkshop.com/blog/2018/03/07/why-is-there-cardboard-in-my-bedroom-door/
https://www.quora.com/Why-is-there-cardboard-in-my-bedroom-door