STC performance fails most often at the assembly not the door slab.
1. Inadequate Seals
Issue: Incomplete perimeter seals or incorrect seal type (fire vs. acoustic)
Impact: Sound bypasses the door leaf; STC reduction of 5–15 points
2. Gaps & Clearances
Issue: Excessive undercuts, uneven jamb gaps, misaligned frames
Impact: Minor gaps (1–2 mm) allow sound flanking and acoustic leakage
3. Hardware Vibration
Issue: Loose closers, rattling latches, improper closer settings
Impact: Structure-borne noise and reduced speech privacy
4. Installation Accuracy
Issue: Frame not plumb/square; inconsistent seal compression
Impact: Uneven seal engagement and unpredictable STC performance