Many people want to soundproof their home, and many think of egg cartons as a good option. Let me give you a short introduction to the subject, reasons for needing soundproofing, and then we will discuss why soundproofing with egg cartons doesn’t really work.
It could be that you live near the railway or a busy highway. Maybe your neighbors are the kind to hold parties 24/7, or you want to keep the noise in your house from distracting the neighbors. Different people have different reasons for wanting to soundproof their homes. But how sure are you that the soundproofing method you choose is going to work? Is it going to be too much for nothing, or will you end up patting yourself on the back for a job well done? Here are a few questions and ideas to steer you in the right direction in matters of soundproofing.
Does soundproofing a room with egg cartons work?
The straightforward answer is a big No! Why? Many assume that because of how egg cartons are shaped they resemble materials used in music studios, for instance, to limit noise.
However, this is not the case. Egg cartons are great at reducing echo but do a very poor job of reducing noise both from the inside or outside of a room. Egg cartons work better to help with soundproofing as a booster, but egg cartons alone do little to nothing to reduce the level of noise.
Can you soundproof a room with cup holders?
Cup holders work pretty much just like egg cartons do at soundproofing. They will reduce echo which can easily be done by adding cushioned furniture, bookshelves, and rugs, but as far as keeping noise from coming in or going out, cup holders are hopeless. It has been reported numerous times that it is quite risky to use cup holders for anything in your house owing to their tendencies to quickly catch fire.
Can I soundproof a room with no door?
The short answer is Yes! Using very heavy velvet or cotton curtains to block the entrance to a room can help reflect or block the noise to a certain level. However, this doesn’t mean that it can help to completely soundproof a room. Note that curtains have gaps and spaces near the edges of the walls where sound can slip through. It is advisable to use two layers of heavy curtains and be sure any gaps, spaces, and hard surfaces are covered to help significantly reduce noise. Remember these are areas that are conducive for bouncing back noise.
Can you soundproof a room with windows?
It is possible to soundproof a room with windows. Provided you seal off all air gaps with acoustic sealant or with thick insulation tape, then you will notice a significant reduction in the amount of noise coming from outside. For a room with windows to be effectively soundproofed, one must also consider soundproofing the walls near the window. Here you can use soundproofing tape or acoustic panels to cover the top bottom and both sides which make part of the wall surrounding the window.
Black colored soundproofing curtains also help in keeping noise out to grant you the privacy and silence you yearn for. Keep in mind, however, that your efforts may be shadowed if the window is in a bad state. If the window has cracked glass or its frames are falling apart, you may need to first consider repairing the window before embarking on soundproofing efforts.
Can you soundproof existing walls?
Soundproofing an existing wall is quite doable, but it is not as easy as you think. You can opt for
- Acoustical wallpaper
- Special paint
- Sound curtains
- Insulation
- Adding another layer of drywall.
All these are effective methods of limiting noise. However, some of the methods work better than others. For instance, Special paint reduces noise by 30 percent while wallpaper does a much better job of 75 percent noise reduction. Alternatively, insulating a wall with cellulose or fiberglass gives you better soundproofing than two layers of sound curtains would. Sound curtains fail to cover spaces and gaps, which noise can use to reflect hence poor soundproofing.
What are the other options that do not work?
While looking to keep noise out and silence in, people end up using odd methods that end up aggravating the problem or posing a fire hazard. Examples of poor soundproofing methods include:
Sawdust- Filling your walls with sawdust is a very bad idea. Besides posing a very dangerous fire hazard, sawdust is pretty much waste from wood. Wood is an excellent conductor of sound which makes the noise even worse.
Bedding-It could be anything from pillows, mattresses, or sleeping bags that people like nailing on walls, stuffing under the sink, or using to block crevices. Well, if you think about the amount of mildew, dust, and mold you are about to share your home with and the stench that comes with it, you’d rather learn how to live with all the noise any day.
Rugs and carpets-The image of carpets and rugs hung up on walls and ceilings is unsightly and an unimaginable idea of soundproofing in this day and age. However, as awkwardly hilarious as it may be, some people actually go for it. It is no wonder the same people have swollen sinuses and colds all the time. What with all that dust, it is a miracle that they are still breathing.
How can I reduce noise in a room?
There are many ways you can reduce noise without spending a fortune. For instance,
. Use thick curtains or drapes instead of sheer curtains to cover your windows
. Cover the floors with carpets and rugs
. Place your furniture against outside walls or shared walls
. Limit and turn off all electronic or noise-making appliances that are not in use
What real options do I have to soundproof a room?
There are numerous other superb options for soundproofing a room that are inexpensive and do not pose a risk or hazard. A few of them are
- Drywall
- Insulation
- Damping compound
- Sound curtains
- Acoustical sealant
What is the best material for soundproofing a room?
There are soundproofing materials that are fine and then there are amazing soundproofing materials. Some of the best materials include
- Damped drywall
- Pocket-friendly acoustical panels
- Foams specially crafted to isolate sound
- Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
- Sound deadening fiberboard
Can I soundproof a room with a DIY guide?
On the condition that you are using a guide written from a credible source and you follow all the steps exactly as they are laid out, it is possible to soundproof your room by using a DIY guide. In fact, most people prefer DIY projects because they are cost-effective and rewarding if done right.
Conclusion
Unwanted noise has been found to cause high blood pressure, insomnia, and often times leads to depression. Finding a professional to help you soundproof a room is advisably much better than doing it yourself if you are unsure. However, if you are short on money, aim to divide the soundproofing project into several phases, and start with the most difficult tasks. Progress slowly down to the simplest phase. This way, you only take up as much as you can financially while using quality soundproofing materials.