Firstly, let’s debunk the myth that egg boxes can completely soundproof a room. While egg cartons can help reduce vibration and echo, unfortunately they cannot fully block noise. So, if you’re thinking of doing some DIY egg box soundproofing, let’s see how effective it can really be.
Do egg boxes work for soundproofing?
The short answer is no. Egg boxes are made of a very thin cardboard, allowing sound waves to travel directly through them and, as such, are unable to help reduce noise. However, egg cartons can help to slightly reduce echoes through sound deflection and diaphragmatic absorption.
- Sound deflection refers to when sound waves are reflected, scattered, diffracted or refracted by an object. When sound waves collide with egg boxes, they are deflected and scattered due to the jagged shape of the egg box.
- Diaphragmatic absorption occurs when sound energy strikes the face of the absorber – in this case the egg carton – and gets slowed down in the process, reducing the echo. Unfortunately, egg cartons are far too thin to act as an effective diaphragmatic absorber.
While egg trays can help to slightly reduce echo, they are unable to reduce sound. So whether you’re hoping to block out sound from the outside or you’re trying to build a home studio, the egg carton soundproofing method probably won’t help. Decorating a room with egg boxes is also very time consuming and can lead to disappointing results. Instead, you should consider trying other DIY soundproofing methods.
Soundproofing alternatives
While the DIY egg box method may not work, there are plenty of other ways you can effectively soundproof a room.
Soundproofing foam
One of the best ways to successfully soundproof a room is to use soundproofing foam. Whether you’re building a home studio or performance space, there are plenty of custom made soundproofing foams to suit any environment. Designed with an open-cell structure, the foam works by increasing air resistance and stopping sound waves, providing the highest level of sound reduction.
Soundproofing foam comes in all manner of shapes and sizes, so even if your heart was set on decorating your room with hundreds of egg boxes, try the next best thing: egg box foam.
Weatherstrip your doors
A weatherstrip is a handy tool that you place at the bottom of your door to seal the space between the door and the floor. It’s a simple yet effective way to reduce sound from entering and leaving the room.
Soundproofing curtains
Believe it or not, you can get curtains specially designed for soundproofing purposes. And if those seem too expensive, you can always buy some heavy, thick blackout curtains which can work just as well. When hanging the curtains, make sure they cover as much of the window area as possible to ensure maximum sound reduction.
Soundproofing blankets
You can also find soundproofing blankets that effectively absorb sound. These blankets – which are also known as ‘moving’ blankets – are large insulated pieces of fabric that reduce vibration and insulate materials from moving, shaking and thermal fluctuations. Soundproofing blankets can be used to cover doors, reducing both internal and external sound.
Anti-vibration pads
If you’re building a home studio, you may consider buying vibration pads to absorb any vibrations created through speakers. Simply place your speakers on the pads. These can be very handy if you live in a terrace or semi-detached house and don’t want to upset the neighbours. You can also place these pads on your walls to reduce both outgoing and incoming low-frequency noise.
While egg carton soundproofing sounds like a cheap and easy way to soundproof a room, it isn’t an effective means to reduce sound. If you’re serious about soundproofing a room, you should consider using professional, purpose-made products to effectively reduce and block out sound.
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FAQs
No, eggboxes can't soundproof a room! While many people believe in this myth, egg boxes haven't got sufficient mass to block noise. Egg boxes are 'used' to absorb noise, like the foam you get in music studios. However, they aren't the ideal choice for absorption, either.
Does egg crate foam work for soundproofing? ›
A common misconception is that by adding egg crate foam panels to your walls after the fact, you can make a room soundproof. This is not the case. However, you can use foam egg crate soundproofing panels during initial construction.
How effective is soundproofing foam? ›
Foam does not Block Sound Transmission
Even covering the wall 100% with 2″ thick foam is not going to, to the extent of the person's expectations, stop that sound from traveling right through the wall. Acoustical foam is porous and does not block sound simply because it is porous which allows sound to pass through.
Are egg cartons better than acoustic foam? ›
The Difference Between Egg Crates and Soundproofing Material
They may appear the same size and shape, which makes egg crate soundproofing sound like a wonderful idea. However, foams are completely different and are made with unique raw materials. Acoustic foams are engineered to block sound moving from room to room.
What is the best soundproof foam? ›
Open-cell polyurethane foam is a popular choice because it offers good sound absorption capabilities. However, if you want to maximize the noise reduction in your room, thicker foam made of composite materials like glass wool can be a better option.
What are the disadvantages of soundproof foam? ›
Con: Fire properties
One drawback of using acoustic foam is that it has fire properties. Because acoustic panel is composed of mainly polyurethane, it releases a high smoke level when burned. Hence, this material may not be safe for occurrence of fire.
How long does egg crate foam last? ›
They have little bumps like egg crates and are made from memory foam, latex, or normal foam. A low-cost egg crate mattress topper will probably start to lose its shape and support in just a year or two. However, a more high-quality version, such as the ones made of latex, can end up lasting 3+ years.
How thick should foam be for soundproofing? ›
Also, notice that thinner 1 inch and 2 inch thick panels are great for absorbing high end frequencies while thicker foam and bass traps are preferred for absorbing low end acoustic noise and bass tones.
How much does acoustic foam reduce sound? ›
Foam, regardless of how dense it is will never be made heavy enough to block sound from transferring from room to room. Soundproofing foam does not offer any decoupling, meaning vibrations will continue to travel through the wall and through the foam. Soundproofing foam should really be called sound absorption foam.
How to stop sound from coming through walls? ›
These five soundproofing methods will help you reduce your sound levels quickly and inexpensively.
- Stack Furniture Against the Walls. ...
- Cover Your Walls With Absorbent Materials. ...
- Add a Layer of Drywall. ...
- Seal Visible Holes or Cracks. ...
- Hang Rubber-Based Materials.
No, eggboxes can't soundproof a room! While many people believe in this myth, egg boxes haven't got sufficient mass to block noise. Egg boxes are 'used' to absorb noise, like the foam you get in music studios. However, they aren't the ideal choice for absorption, either.
How do you make homemade soundproofing? ›
Cover walls with thick blankets, moving pads, tapestries, or quilts. Virtually any soft material will work, though thicker ones absorb more sound than thinner materials. If you don't mind adding an industrial look to the room, fasten sound-absorbing panels to the walls and, if necessary, the ceiling.
What foam is best for noise reduction? ›
The Best Types of Foam for Sound Control
The type of foam used for this application is a closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene. This dense foam absorbs and blocks sound, creating a better experience for boat passengers. In industrial environments, sound deadening foam is used to create a safer environment for workers.
Do egg cartons work for acoustic treatment? ›
Can I Soundproof a Room with Egg Boxes? This is one of the most common questions we get asked, and it comes up a lot from visitors to Soundstop: “Do egg cartons work for soundproofing?” The simple answer is no... and it's a myth that shows no sign of going away!
What absorbs sound the best? ›
Materials with porous and fibrous structures are particularly effective at absorbing sound due to their ability to trap and dissipate sound waves. Porous Materials: Porous materials, such as acoustic foam, fiberglass, and mineral wool, are widely used for sound absorption purposes.
What is the difference between memory foam and egg crate? ›
But egg crate topper foam is thin and pliable, so after several months of use, it will break down and leave a permanent indentation where you lay, reducing its ability to relieve pressure. Standard memory foam tends to hold its shape better, making it more effective at contouring pressure relief for longer.
Can I use memory foam for soundproofing? ›
Most importantly, compared to other foams and sponges, memory foam has excellent noise reduction properties. In particular, memory foam exhibits more linear sound absorption across the frequency spectrum than other foams, and has a much greater ability to reduce noise that other foams.
What is the best way to soundproof a dog crate? ›
A heavy-duty cover will help block out noise. Another option to make your dog crate soundproof is to cover the crate with a moving blanket. A moving blanket helps absorb sound better than a regular one. You can use one to form a bed inside the crate too, which will also help reduce sound.
