Egg Carton Soundproofing: Busting the myths

Egg carton soundproofing: Busting the myths

The constant buzz of city life can take its toll on you especially if you are looking to have some peace and quiet at home.

Soundproofing is an easy way for you to drown out some of the unwanted noise in the hustle and bustle of the city.

Instead of investing in ear plugs or a white noise machine to drown out the noise, why not consider soundproofing your room?

You might have heard of people or maybe even your high school teacher talking about using egg cartons for soundproofing, but do they really work?

Let’s find that out today!

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Who can benefit from this?

If you’ve clicked on this article, you have most likely already considered soundproofing your room.

You can be looking to create a calm atmosphere in your home or to avoid disturbing your neighbours as you finally commit to learning an instrument that you’ve been putting off for months.

On the other hand, you can also be considering soundproofing your room for more functional reasons such as having a home nursery or creating a home theatre.

Whatever the reason, soundproofing a room is an issue that many homeowners consider.

If you’re looking to soundproof a room on a budget, the humble egg carton may have been an easy option that popped into your head.

How do egg cartons help in soundproofing?

Another term for sound insulation, soundproofing a surface prevents the transmission of sound from the outside atmosphere to the interior.

You may have already heard of the popular method of using egg crates to soundproof your room.

If you’re on a budget, it may sound enticing to grab some cardboard crates to do so without breaking the bank.

In general, the cardboard fibers can help absorb the initial impact made by certain sound frequencies.

The cartons also have acoustical value as they can reduce echoes, sound reflection and resonance.

Echo reduction works because of the textured shape that allows sound waves to break up and be reflected in all directions, thus diffusing the echo.

So, in theory, eggs crates seem to be a good option as they are inexpensive and can diffuse sound waves by spreading them out.

Egg carton soundproofing: Is it too good to be true?

However, does this method sound too good to be true?

Or are you skeptical about how your room would look like covered with cardboard egg crates?

Before you think about how you might acquire enough of these egg cartons in the first place, you might ask yourself if they will actually be effective in finally blocking out the blaring horns from the busy street outside your apartment, or possibly loud sounds from your garage.

Rather than effectively reducing sound, eggs cartons can only reduce echoes and should not be the primary soundproofing material you need.

The myth that egg cartons are effective soundproofing material comes from its resemblance to acoustical foam, which has the similar raised domes that egg cartons also have.

Unfortunately, they are unable to block out noises well as they cannot absorb sound coming into or out of your room.

The cardboard cartons were designed to effectively reduce vibration and cushion eggs to prevent them from cracking.

However, they do not contain the same material as acoustic pads to effectively soundproof your room.

Now that we’ve busted the myth of using egg cartons, what are some DIY projects you can do to effectively soundproof a room?

We’ve got you covered by compiling a list of cheap alternatives that we recommend.

Alternatives to using egg cartons

Soundproofing a room does not have to burn a hole in your pocket. There are many alternatives you can consider that are hassle-free and effective in any living space.

If you are considering a minimalist approach, the cheapest alternative is simply to put a layer of thick and dense blanket on your walls to help absorb the impact made by certain sound frequencies.

However, you can also consider other household items. Here is a list of items that we’ve compiled for you to browse:

Soundproof curtains

Soundproof curtains are more aesthetically pleasing than draping blankets all over your walls.

If you wish to soundproof your bedroom, it is worth considering these curtains as they reduce outside noises and even come with the option for thermal insulation.

Easy to install, these light-blocking curtains come in an array of colours so soundproofing your room does not come at the expense of your overall home decor.

Window inserts

If you do not want to have heavy duty curtains blocking your view, you can opt for window inserts instead.

You do not have to worry about hardware as they compression-fit designed glass panels can be installed on your existing windows.

Easy to use, these inserts can help reduce any noise from the outside.

As simple as they are to install, you can easily pop them out when you wish to stop using them.

On the higher end of the cost spectrum, you can also change your windows to laminated windows to significantly increase soundproofing.

Although it is on the pricier side, you are guaranteed to cut most of the external noise.

Door sweeps

Now that you have a few options to cover your windows, it is important to soundproof any gaps under your front or interior doors.

As sound travels through air, any big gap around your front door will allow you to hear unwanted noises in your building hallway.

You can solve this problem by getting a commercial-grade door sweep with a thick rubber strip.

For interior doors, you can fill the gaps with an inexpensive fabric draft stopper.

Not only can these nifty additions block any unwanted noises, the seals also work to keep out any draft or dirt.

Acoustic panels

If you are looking for a more thorough way to soundproof a room, you can also install acoustic panels on your walls.

These foam panels are great for use especially in home studios or home entertainment theatres.

They are made up of sound-muffling material that reduces sound transmission.

You can cover the soundproof material with fabric if you wish to add a personal touch.

In addition, you can also consider covering your floor with a carpet as it can absorb the impact noise such as heavy footsteps.

Recommended Gear

Here are the items that will work well with this project. Click on the images to check their pricing and specs.

Soundproof curtain

Window insert

Door sweep

Acoustic panel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is it still worth it to soundproof a room with egg cartons?

No, as egg cartons will not soundproof your room.

It will only reduce echo but they will not stop the noise.

If you are looking for a more effective way to soundproof your room, you can look into the cheap alternatives instead.

Where are the spots I should install the soundproof material first?

The most important spots to target in a room are the windows and doors if you are looking to effectively soundproof a room.

In addition, you should also keep in mind critical points in a room such as the source and entry point of the sound to better address the issue.

The most important thing to keep in mind is to close up any existing gaps in your room.

What is the best material to consider when replacing a door?

Hollow-core doors are found in most homes and apartments today.

If you are considering replacing your doors to further minimize noise transmission, you can look into solid wood slab doors.

The price of a solid core interior door usually ranges from $60-$80.

If you combine this with acoustic panels or a sweep as mentioned above, you can eliminate any sound transmission.

Replacing your door will not automatically be a solution, but combined with other soundproofing products, you can significantly reduce sound transmission.

Instead of installing potentially bulky items such as heavy duty acoustic panels or drywall, how can I soundproof my room while using home decor?

One possible way to block out unwanted noises if you have thin walls is to add a wall-to-wall built in bookcase.

Make sure the edges of the bookcase fit snugly to avoid any potential air gaps.

You can also add fabric wall hangings or carpets to dampen sound.

However, you should note that a combination of home decor can help minimize potential noise but not completely eliminate it.

What are my best options to soundproof a room if I live in a small apartment?

If you live in a small apartment and have limited space for extra decor, you can opt for soundproof curtains combined with acoustic foam panels.

This way, the products will not take up too much space.

Related: Best Quiet Blender review

Conclusion

With these techniques in mind, you are better prepared to start your DIY project.

Now that we’ve busted the myth of using egg carton soundproofing, you can make a more informed decision about which method works best for you.

Rather than forking out for professional installation, you can soundproof your room even on a tight budget or foregoing the personal flair in your home.

Living in a quiet environment in the middle of a bustling city does not have to be a far-fetched idea anymore.

With our tips, you can begin to create the right peaceful setting right in the comfort of your own home.

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