Soundproof laundry/hot water room - 2 bi-fold doors

[Noisyvent]

Hi,

I am renting an apartment and have a laundry machine and a hot water heater in the apartment.  They in the same room and separated by the rest of the unit by 2 bi-fold doors which are next to each other.  The bi-fold doors are not solid and have slatted vents. 

Due to the fact that I am on a lower floor, the hot water heater has a power vent, which is very noisy.  What would be the best way to deaden the sound from this room in a cost-efficient way?

I may buy this unit, so both temporary and permanent solutions are appreciated.

Thanks!

[Randy S]

You can line the walls with our 1" SSP foam mat and this will give a good reduction, but the main problem you will still have is the vented door. This door will remain the primary sound leak and after lining the walls will be the main source for sound.
http://www.soundproofing.org/sales/prices.html

[Noisyvent]

Is there anything I can do about the doors?  Replace them?  Cover them with foam or other material?
There is also a gap between the door frame and the top of the bi-fold doors.  Anything I can do about that?

Thanks!

[Randy S]

Yes, there are a few things you can do but, before you can change the doors or seal up the existing doors you have to solve the venting problem. You will have to vent the unit a different way if you close off the vents in the doors. Once this has been addressed then you can reduce the sound coming through the doors. Remember if air can move so can sound.

[Noisyvent]

I'm not sure how much air I need, but there is a vent in the ceiling of the laundry room.  Not overly large, but
looks like it could provide enough air for the power vent on the hot water heater.

I think the walls are thick enough to dampen the sound enough.  The louvered bi-fold doors are the main problem.
Is it better to replace the doors or put the 1" vinyl on one side?

[Randy S]

Better to replace the doors, solid core doors. Then address the weather stripping around the door stop and use a transom seal at the bottom gap.
Here's a link for this.
http://www.soundproofing.org/infopages/soundproofing_doors.htm
Once you address the door, if you need more sound reduction then you can add MLV to the door.