Egg box soundproofing: does it really work?

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.

Back »