Many people like to think that egg cartons can be an affordable way to soundproof your room for studio recordings. This common misconception will do no good for soundproofing your room!
While egg cartons are a cheap option, and you will notice a difference in the sound quality of your room once you put them up, you'll still be wasting a lot of time and energy by not using a far better and more affordable option for soundproofing.
Even worse, you'll risk something terrible happening with all of those egg cartons, which are often made of a dangerous mix of old recyclable paper and cardboard.
When considering egg cartons for your soundproofing process, the first thing you should know is that there is a distinct difference between trying to soundproof your room and acoustically treating your room.
When you're soundproofing, you want to keep outside noises out. When you're getting an acoustic treatment done, you're trying to reduce noises like echo and reverb that are bouncing around in your room.
Soundproofing and acoustic treatment are a great addition to a studio room where you record, but it's important not to confuse the two processes and the materials needed for both of these very different processes.
Acoustic foam happens to be a product that can help you with soundproofing thanks to the density and design of the foam, but its main purpose is to decrease echo and reverb in a room.
Egg cartons, like acoustic foam, can effectively cut down the echo and reverb in a room, but they will not do much for soundproofing your room. These cartons are made out of thin paper and cardboard material that will not absorb sounds effectively at all.
A lot of people think that the way egg cartons are designed with holes for each egg, the holes can help capture and deaden sounds which will make it effective for soundproofing.
Unfortunately, the shape of the carton isn't doing much good because of the weak material.
In order to soundproof a room, you need the type of material that will not just help the sound bounce around the room less but will absorb sounds completely.
Many things, including carpets, blankets, and even towels, can help absorb the sound in a room much better than egg cartons.
There are a few reasons egg cartons can do you much more harm than good when it comes to hanging them up on your walls to decrease some echo in your room.
First things first, it's just ugly unless you're going above and beyond to style it in a visually appealing way! More seriously, egg cartons are made from flammable materials that won't mix well with clumsy musicians.
Picture you having fun with your music buddies in the studio, and your bass player flicks a cigarette or blunt accidentally in the direction of your "soundproofed" walls.
Another danger is having an unclean carton in general. Salmonella and other risks are at play here if you have an egg leaking and didn't even notice.
Even worse, if this is a space where young kids are making music, they touch everything and immediately put their hands in their mouths!
And lastly, you're considering them because they're cheap, right? Think about how temporary this solution will be for you in the long run. These things will break very easily and cause you to have to keep fixing your soundproofing with each tear.
Relying solely on egg cartons for soundproofing can create a false sense of security.
While they might slightly reduce sound reflections within a room, they do not address other soundproofing aspects like sound insulation or blocking noise from entering or leaving the space.
Using egg cartons as the sole soundproofing solution may lead to disappointment and frustration when it fails to deliver the desired results.
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Soundproofing done really well can cause thousands of dollars, so I totally understand the need for cheap alternatives.
Fortunately, there are a few options that are affordable and will actually show you much better results for acoustic treating and soundproofing.
Sound absorption blankets are a cheaper and way more effective way to soundproof your space with a material that will last you a long time. Installing blankets isn't as much of a headache as installing individual panels, either.
If you're having trouble with a lot of sounds coming from the window in your room, consider buying a thick curtain with soundproofing capabilities. It's very similar to a sound absorption blanket but is designed to keep noises from seeping through your window.
Door sweeps and weathering strips are the most affordable option for trying to lessen the noise that comes into your room. It's a simple and effective way to reduce noises from outside or even in other areas of your house.
It's also great for keeping out bugs and letting air or heat escape from your house, so these are more commonly referred to as weathering strips.
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So, there you have it - using egg cartons to successfully soundproof your room is nothing more than a myth.
While it's true that they can help cut down on echoes and reverberations in your room, they won't do much for actually blocking outside noises from coming in or keeping your sounds from leaking out.
Not to mention the fact that using egg cartons can be a bit risky; they're made from flammable materials, and they can easily break and tear, leaving you with a big mess to clean up.
Plus, if they're not kept clean, they can pose a health risk due to the potential for salmonella and other nasties.
So, the next time someone tells you to use egg cartons for soundproofing, you can confidently tell them that you know better. With better alternatives available, you'll be able to achieve great results without breaking the bank or putting yourself at risk.
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
