Does Cardboard Absorb Sound? The Truth

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Does cardboard absorb sound? This is one of the most common questions I get from my readers. In this post, I will share with you the best answer.

There are many soundproofing materials you can choose from for your project. But not all of them are accessible and affordable.

If you have a limited budget for your project, you probably look for the best inexpensive alternative. Cardboard is one of those affordable materials.

But is it effective? Does cardboard absorb sound? Cardboard does not absorb sound what it does is reduces echo and the transmission of noise in the room. This is the reason why some teachers use cardboard as the main material for controlling noise in the classroom.

Cardboards, when used correctly can be excellent alternative soundproofing materials. If you have a very limited budget, this material is a great substitute.

Table of Contents

Is Cardboard Really Good for Soundproofing?

I have tried cardboard before and it worked. It helped deaden the sound and makes the living space quieter. If you are living in a noisy apartment, you probably want to try this material.

The great thing about cardboard aside from its affordability is that it is recyclable. If applied creatively, this material can do as much as the expensive soundproofing materials commonly used by professionals.

The principle of soundproofing is simple; if the sound or noise has no medium to travel, the room becomes quieter.

Corrugated cardboard is an effective soundproofing material. It comes with two types: C-fluting and E-fluting. The only difference between the two is the structure.

C-fluting cardboards have rolling waves between two cardboard sheets. The E-fluting, on the other hand, has the square chambers between the cardboard sheets instead of rolling waves.

The structures of cardboards make it effective in soundproofing a room. In fact, one study found that cardboards are even more effective than standard gypsum drywall panels when it comes to sound dampening.

Cardboards passed the test and are ISO 354 certified. ISO is an International Organization that sets standards for organizations and products all over the world. ISO 354 is the department that tests acoustic.

The result suggests that cardboards are effective not only in soundproofing but also in sound deadening process. This material is applicable to music practice rooms and other soundproofing projects you can think of.

How Does Cardboard Work?

The secret behind the effectiveness of cardboard in deadening the sound lies inside its very structure. As mentioned, cardboards come with rolling waves or hollow squares between two sheets. The space in between those rolling waves and squares contain the sound and prevents it from echoing.

Cardboards are not designed to absorb sound but these materials are very good at trapping the noise. As found in the study, this material can reduce 40% of the noise in the room.

If you want to attain better results, try to install more layers of cardboards. The thicker the defense against the noise the higher the chance of winning.

However, you don’t have to stuff your room with cardboards especially if it ruins the interior design. Remember that this material is not designed to boost the aesthetic quality of the room. So be creative. Like any soundproofing project, creativity is key here.

Does Cardboard Reflect Sound?

Yes, it does. But you cannot expect a perfect result. The surface of the cardboard can only reflect some soundwaves. However, a great percentage of sound can penetrate the surface of the cardboard.

To make your soundproofing project more successful, you can use aluminum foil and put it in between the layers. This will help block the sound.

Is Corrugated Cardboard a Great Material for Soundproofing?

As mentioned, corrugated cardboard is an affordable and effective soundproofing material. Although it is not designed to absorb sound, it does a very good job at preventing the sound from echoing.

Prohibiting the noise from bouncing off is a very important component of the sound deadening process. If there is no echo, the sound or noise is reduced in the living space.

If you have a limited budget, you can go with cardboards. With correct installation strategies, you can definitely achieve the desired results.

Can Cardboard Acoustic Panels help with Soundproofing?

Cardboard acoustic panels can absolutely help in soundproofing a living space. It can reduce annoying noise by up to 40% as indicated in the study.

The best way to apply this material is by hanging it on the walls, attach or suspend it from the ceiling especially if you are living in an apartment. This will protect the noise coming from your noisy neighbors above.

If you really want to go on with this route, I suggest that you choose the E-fluted corrugated panels instead of the C-fluted. The reason is that E-fluted panels are more effective than its counterpart.

However, both of the types can work just fine if you install them correctly. The secret is installing multiple layers to build a stronger defense against the annoying noise.

What I like about cardboard panels as soundproofing or sound deadening materials is that they are lightweight and affordable.

You can install it without the help of an expert. Because these materials are easy to cut, you can easily do it with your household cutting tools such as a knife. You can easily attach it to the areas you want to soundproof using tape or glue.

These materials are easy to manipulate according to the design you want to implement. You can even use cardboard for making children’s art.

Back in high school, I can still remember the cardboard boxes that I made. It was a fun and memorable experience. Then we tested how well the cardboard boxes contained the sound.

We put a noise-producing device inside the box and monitored how much sound we could hear outside. Well, the best cardboard box won the competition.

What I learned was that the success of any soundproofing project lies in the implementation of strategies. The flawless the execution, the better the output.

What is the Best Ready-to-Use Cardboard Soundproof Room?

If you don’t want to undergo the soundproofing process with yourself, you can simply hire a professional to do it. But of course, you still deal with the questions that a carpenter or a person who installs the cardboard might occasionally ask.

If you don’t have time for that, you can go with a ready-to-use cardboard soundproof room. And one of the best I recommend is the JMAZ Event Façade Booth Adjustable Lightweight Aluminum Frame (click here to see this material on Amazon).

Well, this material is not primarily made from cardboard but it is as lightweight as cardboard. It is made of aluminum which is also a lightweight material and durable.

You can easily install and dismantle the units easily. And because it is lightweight, there will be no hassle on your part.

If you are planning to host a band practice in your apartment, this is perfect. You don’t need to worry about disturbing your neighbors.

Final Thoughts on Des Cardboard Absorb Sound

Cardboards are great soundproofing materials. They are inexpensive and versatile. You can use them in any soundproofing project that you have.

However, cardboards are not designed to absorb sound. What these materials do is to prohibit the sound or noise from echoing the room.

Nonetheless, this material can considerably reduce the sound by 40% as found in the previous study. With an appropriate installation strategy, you can achieve your soundproofing goal using cardboards.