Have you ever wondered if egg cartons could actually help soundproof a room or if that’s just an acoustic myth? Well, it turns out that egg cartons can be surprisingly effective for DIY soundproofing when used correctly!
In this article, we’ll explore how egg cartons can block sound waves and reduce echoes when attached to walls or ceilings. While egg cartons don’t work as well as professional soundproofing materials like mass-loaded vinyl or acoustical foam, they can be an affordable way to soundproof a room on a budget.
Attaching the egg cartons in strategic places can help absorb sound and prevent it from transmitting through walls and doors. The unique shape of egg cartons helps scatter sound waves and prevents them from reflecting back into the room.
We’ll cover the basics of using this unusual soundproofing material so you can reduce noise in your home or studio.
So if you have some extra egg crates lying around or can get them for cheap or free, keep reading to learn if they are good for soundproofing and how to attach them to start soundproofing a room effectively.
How Do Egg Boxes Absorb Sound?
Egg cartons can absorb sound by creating a barrier between the sound source and a nearby surface. The jagged shape of the egg carton causes sound waves to deflect and scatter.
The many textural undulations in the carton break up sound waves, reflecting them in all directions. This reduces the amount of sound energy that is transmitted through the carton.
However, egg cartons do not actually block sound very effectively. They are best suited for absorbing high-frequency sounds, such as those produced by human voices.
For low-frequency sounds, such as those produced by traffic or machinery, more effective soundproofing materials are needed.
The egg carton myth started because they look like the soundproofing acoustical foam used in music studios.
However, acoustical foam is made of a different material and has a different shape that allows it to absorb sound more effectively.
Key takeaway
Egg cartons are a cost-effective way to reduce noise in a room. They can absorb mid to high-frequency sounds and reduce ambient noise by up to 10 decibels. To soundproof a room with egg cartons, you will need:
- Enough cardboard egg cartons to cover the desired surfaces
- Adhesive like glue or staples
- A measuring tape
- Scissors
- Caulk gun
- Measure the space you want to soundproof and calculate the total square footage. This will tell you approximately how many egg cartons you need.
- Cut the egg cartons to size if needed.
- Clean the surface where you will be attaching the egg cartons.
- Apply adhesive to the backside of each egg carton and firmly press it onto the wall or ceiling.
- Use a staple gun to reinforce the attachment of the egg cartons.
- Seal any gaps between the egg cartons with caulk.
How to do Soundproofing with Egg Boxes
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to reduce noise in a room, using egg cartons can be a great option. Egg cartons are an affordable and accessible soundproofing material that can significantly absorb and block sound waves.
Attaching egg cartons to your walls or ceiling is an easy DIY soundproofing solution that can help reduce echoes and ambient noise in a room.
Why Use Egg Cartons for Soundproofing?
Egg cartons are essentially free soundproofing materials that many people already have on hand. The unique wavy shape of egg cartons helps to scatter sound waves and prevent them from reflecting off hard surfaces. The paper pulp material absorbs acoustic energy instead of letting it bounce around the room.
While professional acoustical foam or mass-loaded vinyl may be more effective, egg cartons provide a budget-friendly way to absorb sound and soundproof a room effectively. Egg cartons can reduce reverberation and echos, making them well-suited for soundproofing small rooms like offices, studios, or bedrooms.
Preparing Materials and Measuring the Space
To begin, you’ll need enough cardboard egg cartons to cover the desired surfaces. Make sure the cartons are clean and free of egg residue. You’ll also need an adhesive like glue or staples to affix the egg cartons.
Use a measuring tape to measure the space you want to soundproof. Calculate the total square footage of the walls or ceiling area. This will tell you approximately how many egg cartons are needed to cover the space. Egg cartons don‘t need to cover an entire surface. Strategically placing them in echo-prone areas can still help.
Cutting and Attaching the Egg Cartons
Once you know how much space you need to cover, start cutting the egg cartons down to size if needed. Use scissors to trim off any unneeded cardboard. Try to make the cartons fit snugly together to reduce noise leakage.
Before attaching the egg cartons, make sure the surface is cleaned off. Apply adhesive-like glue or liquid nails to the backside of each carton. You can use a caulk gun for easier application. Then, firmly press the egg cartons onto the wall or ceiling.
For extra reinforcement, use a staple gun to affix the cartons. Stapling around the edges of each egg carton helps keep them in place. Make sure to check for level placement with a level as you go.
Sealing Gaps and Finishing Touches
Look for any visible gaps between the egg cartons and use caulk to seal them shut. This will prevent sound leakage and maximize noise reduction. You can then paint or wrap the cartons to help them visually blend into the room.
Strategically place egg cartons in areas prone to noise like behind speakers or TVs. Corner walls and parallel hard surfaces also benefit from sound absorption. Just 30-40% wall coverage with egg cartons can make a noticeable difference in blocking sound waves.
Soundproofing Effectiveness
Overall, egg cartons are a straightforward DIY sound-dampening solution. They can reduce ambient noise by up to 10 decibels when used properly. While not as robust as commercial soundproofing products, egg cartons are highly affordable and accessible. They provide a great bang for your buck.
However, egg cartons do have limitations. They are ineffective at blocking lower frequencies and only absorb mid to high-frequency sounds. Loud, disruptive bass notes may pass through carton walls. The cardboard material is also not very durable or fire-resistant.
For best results, use egg cartons in conjunction with other soundproofing techniques. Strategies like sealing cracks, using thick curtains, floating floors, and minimizing vibrations all complement an eggcarton acoustic treatment. Just don’t expect egg cartons alone to completely soundproof a room.
Alternative Uses for Egg Cartons
If you decide egg cartons aren’t suitable for your needs, there are many other creative uses for them. Here are some alternative egg carton projects to consider:
- Arts and crafts – Egg cartons make great paint palettes for kids or even 3D art materials.
- Fire starters – The wax-coated cardboard ignites easily when making fire pits.
- Gardening – Use cartons to start seedlings for transplanting into your garden.
- Packaging – Cushion fragile items in egg cartons if you need to mail or transport them.
- Cooler – Turn an egg carton on its side to create divots for snacks.
Don’t throw out those old egg cartons next time you have them lying around. With a little imagination, they can be repurposed in many clever ways around the home.
Can Egg Cartons be soundproofed?
Short answer: No, egg cartons are not effective soundproofing materials. They are made of thin cardboard that allows sound waves to pass through them easily. However, they can help to scatter sound waves and reduce echo, which can make a room sound less noisy.
FAQs for Soundproofing With Egg Boxes
Does egg crate foam work for soundproofing?
Yes, egg crate foam can be effective for soundproofing. The open cells of the foam trap sound waves, helping to absorb and reduce noise. Egg crate foam is often used in recording studios and home theatres to improve sound quality.
How does egg crate foam work for soundproofing?
The open cells of egg crate foam trap sound waves, helping to absorb and reduce noise. The deeper the foam, the more effective it is at soundproofing. Egg crate foam is also effective at reducing echo.
What kind of egg crate foam is best for soundproofing?
The best type of egg crate foam for soundproofing is made from open-cell polyurethane foam. This type of foam has a high sound absorption coefficient, meaning it is good at absorbing sound waves.
Can you use boxes for soundproofing?
Yes, you can use boxes for soundproofing. However, they are not as effective as egg crate foam. Boxes can help to block sound waves, but they do not absorb them as well.
How do you use egg trays for soundproofing?
To use egg trays for soundproofing, you can place them on the walls or ceiling of a room. You can also hang them from the ceiling. The more egg trays you use, the more effective they will be at reducing echo.
Can egg trays reduce echo?
Yes, egg trays can reduce echo. The concave shape of the egg trays helps to scatter sound waves, which can reduce echo. Egg trays are often used in recording studios and home theatres to improve sound quality.
conclusion
egg cartons provide a straightforward, affordable way to absorb sound and reduce noise in a room. Their wavy shape helps scatter sound waves while the pulp material dampens acoustic energy instead of amplifying it.
Attaching egg cartons to walls and ceilings can noticeably diminish echoes and ambient reverberation.
While not as heavy-duty as commercial soundproofing materials like mass-loaded vinyl, egg cartons are readily available and budget-friendly. They make an accessible DIY option for basic sound treatment.
Just don’t expect egg cartons alone to completely soundproof a room or handle loud bass notes. Use them strategically in problematic areas and combine them with other acoustic solutions.
With some creativity and strategic placement, those leftover egg cartons in your fridge can do double duty for homemade sound dampening.
Before throwing them out, consider repurposing egg cartons to help tame noise issues and create a more comfortable acoustic environment. They provide great sound-absorbing bang for your buck.
