Does Egg Carton Soundproofing Work?

by Jennifer Porterfield | Last Updated: June 14, 2021

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Many people who need soundproof rooms or areas of their homes today think of using egg cartons to reduce noise levels. Most noise control experts regard this DIY method as a soundproofing myth, not to be taken seriously. However, you may need temporary, mild to a moderate sound reduction in a newborn baby’s nursery or home office space.

Perhaps your household enjoys the use of an entertainment room often or you have a young practicing musician in the family. If any of these situations occur in your home, using egg cartons for soundproofing may lower decibel levels somewhat.

In this article, we will reveal the types of noise that may be reduced to some degree using egg cartons. We will shed light on such useful topics as:

• When are egg cartons effective for soundproofing?

• How do you soundproof a room with egg carton material?

• What is the cheapest way to soundproof a room?

• Is cardboard good for soundproofing?

We will also examine different types of soundproofing material, their benefits, and drawbacks. We will also look at some effective alternate DIY methods to use instead of egg cartons for soundproofing.

Truths and Tips About the Egg Carton Soundproofing Myth
- When Egg Cartons Can Be Useful for Soundproofing
How to Use Egg Cartons as Room Soundproofing Material
- Securing Egg Cartons to Your Walls
How to Soundproof a Wall With Other DIY Techniques
How to Alleviate Disturbance from Noisy Upstairs Neighbors
How to Soundproof Your Basement Ceiling
Ways to Block Sound Waves from Outside Your Windows
Using Acoustic Foam and Other Methods to Soundproof Floors
More Alternative Soundproofing Methods
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Conclusion

Truths and Tips About the Egg Carton Soundproofing Myth

Our search for truths and tips about the myth of using egg cartons as soundproofing material reveals the following answers:

When Egg Cartons Can Be Useful for Soundproofing

Most soundproofing professionals explain that the myth of egg carton use for soundproofing material had a reasonable beginning. They say that this idea got started because egg cartons resemble the acoustical foam that is used to soundproof music studios. These two materials are similar in size, shape, and overall appearance.

The main difference is that these two items were designed and produced to serve two very different purposes. Egg cartons were created to cushion eggs against damage from vibrations due to bumps, bangs, and drops. The acoustical foam was produced for use as a highly effective soundproofing material.

Soundproofing with egg cartons can indeed lower sound resonance at certain frequencies and sound energy echoes. Egg cartons composed of cardboard can often defuse sound waves due to their shape and cardboard design. They can be useful in this way since their shape can spread the sound waves out, altering their movement. Yet these egg boxes cannot actually block sound effectively.

Since the acoustic foam is manufactured from a material that is engineered specifically for soundproofing, this product blocks sound. It can defuse sound waves, suppressing noises on either side of walls, ceilings, or floors with high degrees of success. Acoustic foam is also quite durable and will last for long-term use while providing good echo reduction.

How to Use Egg Cartons as Room Soundproofing Material

Does Egg Carton Soundproofing Work_Get Soundproofing

If you are up for the challenge, you can try soundproofing a room with egg cartons in the following way:

Securing Egg Cartons to Your Walls

You can stick egg cartons to your walls using super glue, duct tape, thumbtacks or nails, and industrial spray-on adhesives. Of course, you want to avoid damaging the surfaces of your walling, especially if you rent your home. Be careful to use only clean cartons as well. You want to keep your rooms fresh and clean while experimenting with this DIY sound reduction method.

Both recycled paper and cardboard egg cartons do have some noise-muffling capabilities. Even flat sheets of cardboard can soften echoes and mild noise. Yet the most effective egg crates for some degree of sound reduction are the ones made of plastic foam materials.

Attempting to use egg crates to absorb sound on ceilings is not recommended since they can easily become loose and fall. Obviously, attempting soundproof flooring with these cartons would make walking extremely difficult.

All things considered, disposable egg crates may serve the purpose of temporary sound reduction. However, for quality soundproofing, you need to use acoustic foam that is securely installed.

How to Soundproof a Wall With Other DIY Techniques

There are various other DIY techniques aside from using egg boxes for soundproofing a wall in your home, including the following:

Reduce Empty Space

By adding more furniture and accessories to a spacious or sparsely furnished room, you can reduce the noise level. The interior of the room will become quieter, and you will eliminate many noisy distractions beyond the walls.

Hang Foam Mats

When you decorate a wall with colorful foam mats, you can enhance the room’s decor while helping to soundproof the wall.

Install Soundproof Curtains or Drapes

If you have a wall with one or more windows near a high-noise exterior source, install soundproof curtains or drapes. To help suppress extra loud noises, consider using sound-reducing curtains bordered by soundproofing drapes. These soft materials offer excellent sound absorption.

Add a Layer of Drywall

By installing a layer of drywall over your existing walling, you can reduce external noise significantly. Even extreme sound wave hits causing unwanted noise will be blocked or reduced by these solid surfaces.

Install Acoustic Panels

If you install acoustic foam products as panels on your wall, you will definitely gain the benefits of quiet.

Use Soundproofing Paint

By painting your wall with soundproofing paint, you can muffle exterior noise considerably.

How to Alleviate Disturbance from Noisy Upstairs Neighbors

Helpful tips for soundproofing your ceiling to alleviate noise from your loud upstairs neighbors include such ideas as:

Install a Drop Ceiling

By adding a drop ceiling in your room, you can effectively soundproof this interior space. You can eliminate the annoyance of excessive noise from your upstairs neighbors.

Reinforce Your Ceiling Density

If you increase the density of your existing ceiling in a room, you can insulate your room from loud noise. This will protect the room interior from the loud decibel levels of sound from your neighbors upstairs.

Soundproof a Room’s Ceiling and Adjoining Upper Floor Union

When you add soundproofing to the ceiling and upper floor assembly, you can control loud sounds from neighbors above.

How to Soundproof Your Basement Ceiling

If you have a finished basement that includes a home office or bedroom, it should be protected from loud noise. You can create peace using the following methods:

Install Acoustic Foam Panels

By installing acoustic foam paneling or other effective soundproofing material on your basement ceiling, you can create a peaceful retreat.

Place Tight-Woven Rugs or Carpeting on the Flooring Above

By covering the flooring above your basement level with closely woven carpeting or rugs, you can keep your basement quiet.

Apply Green Glue Compound

By coating your basement ceiling with a green glue compound, you can reduce noises from above throughout your basement area.

Install Soundproof Drywall

If you install one or two layers of soundproof drywall to your basement ceiling, you can enjoy using this space.

Ways to Block Sound Waves from Outside Your Windows

You can prevent loud, annoying kinetic energy sounds from entering your home’s windows using the following soundproofing techniques:

Hang Noise-Blocking Curtains

When you install soundproofing curtains on the windows of your home, you can truly live in a high-quality environment. By absorbing sound, these sound-reduction curtains will eliminate disturbing external noises. They will help eliminate stress from your daily home life.

Install Double or Triple-Pane Windows

With double or triple-pane glass windows, your entire house will be significantly quieter and more enjoyable. With echo reduction, the general acoustic properties of your room will be greatly improved.

Place Weather Stripping Around Windows

By using weather stripping around your home’s windows, you can close any cracks that may be admitting outdoor sounds.

Install Barrier or Acoustic Panels

If you install a barrier or acoustic foam paneling around your windows, you can benefit from a quieter home interior. You can also use soundproof window inserts.

Using Acoustic Foam and Other Methods to Soundproof Floors

Methods for soundproofing apartment or condo floors effectively include the following techniques:

Installing Acoustic Floor Underlayment

By installing acoustic foam soundproofing beneath the flooring in your apartment or condo, you can block external noise from below. You can also keep excess sound from your own household from disturbing your downstairs neighbors. This open-cell polyurethane foam is highly effective for sound wave reduction.

Place Interlocking Mats on Your Floors

If you use interlocking floor mats on the flooring of your apartment unit, you can avoid bothering your neighbors below. These mats will absorb excess sound, keeping it from penetrating your floors.

Install Plush Carpeting with Padding

When you place thick, luxurious carpeting with padding underneath on the floors of your condo or apartment, you can stifle loud sounds. These think layers will prevent everyday household noises, music and, party-time celebrations from bothering your neighbors below.

Apply Soundproofing Green Glue

By using noise-control green glue on your apartment unit floors, you can prevent annoying sounds from disturbing residents downstairs.

More Alternative Soundproofing Methods

White Noise Machine

If there are times when your home or office is noisy, making it difficult to concentrate, try using a white noise machine. These handy devices create pleasing and relaxing background sound that masks unpleasant or disruptive noises. With the use of one of these machines, you will find it much easier to stay focused on work or home tasks and be productive.

Moving Blankets

Moving or soundproofing blankets are well-insulated and can lessen vibrations and bumps to furnishings during short or long moves. They also protect sensitive equipment and musical instruments from thermal fluctuations. Today, these blankets are used frequently as effective soundproofing materials.

Mineral Wool

Mineral wool is composed of inorganic mineral materials and looks very much like matted sheep wool. It is often used as a packing material and for insulation and soundproofing.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What are the least costly ways to soundproof a room?

If you want to soundproof areas of your home or office without overspending your budget, there are some inexpensive methods. Of course, using egg boxes is probably the least costly technique that you have heard about, but it is not very effective. Some thrifty ways to effectively soundproof rooms and larger interior areas are by using soundproofing drywall and soundproofing insulation.

Using Soundproofing Drywall

If you are currently renovating areas of your home or workplace, using high-quality drywall can effectively soundproof these spaces. You can either buy insulating drywall or install a second layer of this building material beneath the sheetrock. If you have some experience with DIY projects, you can most likely install the drywall without assistance.

Using Soundproofing Insulation

There are numerous types of soundproofing insulation available today that you can buy from hardware or building supply store. These materials are usually produced from non-toxic synthetics or recycled fiber.
They are similar to fiberglass insulating products, and they can be installed much like the fiberglass variety. The major difference is that soundproofing insulation is designed with more density for reducing sound rather than conserving energy.

How does the cost of soundproofing compare with other home improvement expenses?

Soundproofing insulation materials do have some properties that contribute to energy efficiency as well as to sound reduction. This fact increases their budget-friendly value, and these materials can be used inside floors, walls and, ceilings safely and effectively. In addition, this soundproofing material can be bought in bulk and installed for less than the cost of painting one room.

Conclusion

Although you may see egg cartons listed among acceptable DIY materials for soundproofing room interiors, this idea is a myth. Recycled paper, cardboard, or foam egg crates may soften external noise levels that enter your home or office interiors. However, as we discussed above, there are plenty of other tried and true products and methods of reducing and eliminating these sound disturbances.

By using any of these effective, safe, long-lasting and, cost-efficient soundproofing methods, you can enjoy peace of mind. Both at home and work, you can complete daily tasks in a quiet, calm and, productive environment. Your everyday indoor life can be free from the hustle, bustle and, noise of the outside world.