You’ve probably taken a look at your soundproofing material before, compared it to your egg carton, and wondered:
Why do these look so much alike?
By the end of this guide, bet you’ll get the answer you’ve always wanted.
Why does your soundproofing material look like an egg carton?
The egg carton design makes it easier for your soundproof foams to disperse various sound wave frequencies in their curvature. It is what helps them bounce these frequencies across various points of the wall.
Put simply, the design reinforces the ability of the soundproof foam to defuse sound waves and spread them uniformly to ensure they are not overly concentrated. It alters the motion of the sound and somewhat dampens it.
However, keep in mind that this design isn’t what actually helps your soundproof foam block the sound effectively. Most soundproof acoustical materials are engineered. So, even if they have a shape similar to an egg carton, they are better engineered to block sound and diffuse sound waves than an actual egg carton.
Will an egg crate work as a soundproof material?
Since those soundproof materials are shaped like an egg carton, you’re probably wondering whether you can just use egg crates instead of them. After all, you buy eggs regularly and you have decent access to these styrofoam or cardboard crates. Plus, you get to save yourself costs.
So, on all fronts, it seems like a reasonable idea.
But sadly, the straightforward answer is no. An egg crate is best tailored to cushion eggs and minimize vibrations. It cannot effectively block an incoming sound wave for you. So, soundproofing with one is not always the smartest solution.
Note that, while egg crates can help you minimize echo to a great extent, there is only a little they can do to actually minimize noise. They reduce sound reflection but are ineffective even compared to those curtains hanging across your wall.
What can you use for soundproofing instead of egg cartons?
As established earlier, those engineered foams are only shaped like egg cartons to exhibit the echo minimization property of those cartons. The actual soundproofing property is in their constituents, not shape.
Now that you know you can’t use egg cartons for soundproofing. What other materials can you use?
For one, acoustic curtains can help you minimize noise to a greater extent compared to those crates. All you have to do is hang one around your home and it will prevent soundwaves from going from one area to another. You can substitute your decorative curtains with these.
Using cushions and other soft furniture can also optimize your soundproofing intent. Soft materials are known for superior sound absorbency. So, you can take advantage of them in your home interior planning.
Further, you can use soundproofing blankets. These are insulated fabrics that can help reduce vibrations and sound waves across specific areas of your home.
Finally, mineral wools and acoustic foams are other alternatives you should definitely be exploring.
For further questions, please contact us at dayin@dayinacoustics.com.
