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Egg cartons are viewed as an affordable soundproofing technique. The fact is that egg cartons work to some extent. But they are not perfect in soundproofing. They can be used in sound reduction, but they cannot be compared to other soundproofing materials.
Therefore, if you are looking for a cheaper technique to soundproof your home or office, we will discuss how to use egg cartons in this article.
Comparisons Between Egg Cartons and Acoustic Foam
- Material
Egg cartons are made with recycled papers. Other cartons are made of plastic and foam materials. These materials are not effective in soundproofing.
Acoustic foam products are made up of open-cell polyurethane foam. The foams are dense. They reduce sound energy passing through them before reaching to the solid surfaces.
- Thickness
Acoustic foams have a thickness of two to three inches. They work well when fixed on walls or any other surface. The thicker the material, the better the soundproofing results.
- Softness
Acoustic foams are softer than egg crates. This makes it hard for sound to bounce over them. Sound bounces easily on the egg cartons. The only advantage is that it sounds off in different directions.
- Density
The dense the material. The better the soundproofing results. Acoustic foams have heavy material that does not allow sound wave to pass through them. On the other hand, egg crates have thin surfaces that allow sound waves to pass through them.
How Egg Cartons Work in Soundproofing?
Egg cartons can reduce up to 40% of the noise that hit them. The cartons can also bounce off 60% of the noise hitting them. These are the two major reasons why egg cartons are used as a cheap soundproofing technique.
The cartons work in the following two ways.
- Sound Diaphragmatic Absorption
Diaphragmatic absorption is the technique of allowing sound to pass through thin surface materials. Egg cartons are thin and reduce the noise by this technique.
The idea is that, once the sound has passed through the thin egg cartons, it won’t have more energy to pass through the wall or another surface. This is a technique that reduces the echo sound energy. After the echo hits the carton, it does not have any more power to bounce off.
With this ability, the egg cartons are perfect for improving internal acoustics. It reduces all the echoes produced by the sounds hitting on solid surfaces.
- Sound Deflection
Egg cartons have different shapes with strangely angled surfaces on them. The irregular shape of the cartons deflects sound waves hitting on them. Once sound comes into contact with the cartons it is deflected to a different direction. It does not bounce back in unison. As a result, the power of the sound is reduced.
The disruption of sound waves minimizes echoes in a house.
Egg cartons work similarly to acoustic tiles that use different pyramid-shaped sections with different angles. However, the acoustic foam absorbs the sound. The noise is further transformed into kinetic energy. Egg cartons do not have this power. They only disrupt the sound waves.
Relevant Resources: How to Soundproof a Door with Household Items
Improving the Effectiveness of Egg Cartons for Soundproofing
You can achieve better results in soundproofing with egg cartons. All you need to do is put extra work on them. The following are the things you need to work on your egg cartons to improve its effectiveness.
- Use the Cartons with other Soft Materials
Do not use egg crates alone. Find old curtains or blankets in your home and use them. If you are soundproofing a wall, first pin the soft materials on the wall. Then attach the egg cartons on the material.
- Fill one side of the Egg Carton with Fabric or Scraps of Papers
Use glue to starch papers or other scrap fabric on one side of the cartons. Use the side you have filled up for soundproofing. Adding materials on the crates will increase crate thickness and density. As discussed earlier, the sound will have difficulties penetrating through dense materials.
- Combine egg crates with Other Soundproofing Techniques
If for example, you are trying to soundproof your room, check other alternatives. Identify the sound of the noise and soundproof it with better materials. Check for air gaps in your doors, and windows. Take time and seal them.
Find other alternative techniques to reduce the noise and work on it.
Soundproofing Walls with Egg Cartons
Cartons can function well in soundproofing walls. Since walls are solid surfaces, they don’t require very dense soundproofing materials. You can use the boxes, and they will do an excellent job.
You will require the following items to fix the egg cartons on your walls.
- Nails
- Thumbtacks
- Industrial adhesive, or
- Super glue.
You can buy all of the above materials on Amazon and fix your cartons.
Before fixing any carton, ensure that they are clean. If you are using old cartons, remove any eggshells or dirt from the crate. Clean all the residue in the crate. If you are using a foam or plastic crate, wash them.
However, it’s difficult to clean dirty paper crates. Therefore, if you have any dirty box, throw it. It’s difficult to remove the smell of the dirty crate.
After cleaning the crate, pin or glue it on the wall. For effectiveness, pin the crates together with other soundproofing materials. You can choose to use soundproofing blankets or curtains on the walls.
Are Egg Cartons a good Choice for Cheap Soundproofing?
The answer is NO. Using egg boxes for soundproofing is not worth it. There are other cheap alternatives that you can use to soundproof your home.
Alternative Soundproofing Methods to Egg Cartons
1. Use Soundproofing Blankets or Curtains
Soundproofing curtains and blankets are easy to use. In most cases, there are no technical skills needed.
To soundproof your vents, you can use heavy moving blankets. Cover the vent openings.
You can choose to stick, pin, or hand the blankets on the vents opening. Use the same strategy when using curtains.
You can remove curtains or blankets whenever you want.
Therefore, if you are living in a rented house, this is the best option for you. You only need to buy and hang the blankets or curtains. As a tenant, you cannot do permanent soundproofing. For effective performance, fix the curtains close to the air vents.
Buy them on Amazon.
Blankets
Sure-Max 4 Moving & Packing Blankets
- Ultra-thick
- Size: 80″ x 72″
- Weight: 65 lb/dz
- Professional Quilted Shipping Furniture Pads
- Size: 72 inch x 80 inch
- Quilted premium cotton
- 3-inch black woven binding
- Weight: 7.5 pounds each
Curtains
- Noise Reducing Thermal Insulated Solid Ring
- Top Blackout Window Curtains/Drapes
- Two Panels,42 x 84 Inch.
- Thermal Insulated
- Noise Reducing
- Size: 52W x 54L Inch
2. Install Acoustic Foam
Acoustic foam panels are specifically designed for music rooms. They can also function well on the bathroom walls. Most of the foams are waterproof.
Acoustic foam panels absorb all noise that bounces off the wall. The soften all bathroom echo sounds.
We have tried and tested the following acoustic foams. They work perfectly on the bathroom walls.
Check our tested foams on Amazon.
Foamily 12 Pack- Acoustic Panels
- 12 Pack covers 12 square feet
- Professional acoustic control
- Great for spot treating sound on walls
Mybecca 12 Pack- Acoustic Panels
- 12 pack means
- Professional acoustic control Acoustic
- Sound deadening material
3. Soundproof the Floor
Block the bathroom sound from reaching the other room by working on your floor. This is efficient, especially if your bathroom is above other rooms. All noise will be heard in the other rooms.
Use bathroom mats and rugs to enhance your bathroom aesthetic. The mats will absorb all sound echoes.
Mats and rugs are easy to install. You just buy and lay them on the bathroom floor.
However, not all mats and rugs can soundproof bathrooms. Use bathroom mats only. We have tested the following mats. Check and buy them on Amazon.
- Non-Slip rug
- Velvet Bathroom Rug Carpet
- Absorbent
- Super Cozy
- Luxury
- 2-Piece Bath Mat Set,
- Soft Plush
- Anti-Slip
- Shower Rug +Toilet Mat
- Shaggy Carpet
4. Soundproof the Windows
If you have windows in your bathroom, work on them. They will allow noise to pass through them. In most cases, bathroom windows do not face the rooms inside the house. However, they still allow noise to travel outside.
With that said, hang the curtain over the windows. Buy soundproofing bathroom curtains. Choose heavy and curtains for effectiveness. Heavy curtains prevent blocks all hair and sound from passing through them.
Alternatively, you can use soundproofing blankets. They will function just the same as soundproofing curtains.
Check our previously recommended soundproofing curtains and blankets. Buy any of them and use them in your soundproofing activities.
Final Word
Egg cartons can reduce noise, but they are not effective. They have limitations on where they can be used too. It’s not worth it using them to soundproof your home or office. You can choose the other cheaper soundproofing alternatives.
