How to Make a Soundproof Box – In 5 Easy Steps

Everything you need to know to make a soundproof box can be found in this step-by-step guide. All you need are a few materials and a couple of hours in labor.

Before you get started, you will need to decide the size of the box you will be using. I would suggest using a moving box or an appliance box, but you can use a smaller box if you prefer. It all depends on the application in which you are using the box.

So, let’s get started with how to make your soundproof box!

Step 1 – Gather Your Materials

You will need the following materials to complete your soundproof box:

• Knife/scissors/blade
• Cardboard box (size of your choice)
• Foam board*
• Foam panels*
• Soundproofing adhesive spray
• Newspapers

*Depending on why you are building a soundproof box will determine how many walls of the box you will need to insulate with foam board and panels. For example, if you want your box to close completely, you will want enough foam board and panels to cover all six walls, but if you want one side of the box to remain open, you will only need five.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Workspace

Gather the newspapers and spread them on the surface you will be building the soundproof box. This will keep your surface from being damaged by the adhesive spray or any other materials you use in building the box.

Make sure that you have a workspace large enough to accommodate any cutting or adjustments that you need to make to your foam boards or foam panels before applying them to your cardboard box.

Step 3 – Insulate the Box with the Foam Boards

You will need six foam boards to attach to the inside walls, as well as the top flap of your cardboard box. I suggest the Excelsis Design 11 x 14 (Pack of 15) Foam Boards. They are an affordable price, and you get 15 total foam boards measured at 11 inches by 14 inches.

You may need to cut these to fit the box, so make sure you have your knife, scissors, or fixed blade on-hand to make any adjustments to the foam board as necessary.

These foam boards will need to be attached to the box using an adhesive spray. I recommend the Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive for the job. It sprays clear and can be used on multiple surfaces, including cardboard and foam.

The easiest way to apply the foam boards to the cardboard box is to spray the foam board with the adhesive spray and carefully press that side of the board to the wall of the box.

You will repeat this step until you have covered all walls of the box, including the bottom and the top flaps.

Step 4 – Add the Foam Panels

Next, you will add the foam panels to your box. You can choose flat foam panels or sculpted foam panels. Flat foam panels have a flat surface, whereas sculpted foam panels have a raised surface in a pattern of ridges, egg crates, or pyramids.

Eggcrate Soundproofing Tiles (12” x 12”) are ½-inch thick and come in a pack of 12. These are perfect for making a soundproof box.

Another foam panel you can add is this Acoustic Foam Panel 48” x 24” x 1”.

These flat foam panels are 48 inches long by 24 inches wide and 1-inch thick. They are thick and can cover a large surface area, making them easy to add to the walls of a soundproof box.

Using the spray adhesive in the same manner when you applied the foam boards, you will spray the foam panels and attach them to the boards inside the box. Press the foam panels firmly to attach them to the boards.

Step 5 – Test the Soundproof Box

You have officially built a soundproof box, so now it is time to put it to the test! You will want to place the soundproof box around the device you want to quieten to make sure that the sound has been substantially reduced.

Make Any Adjustments

After you have put your soundproof box to the test, make any adjustments necessary.

It is not uncommon to notice that not every corner or area of the foam panel received adequate adhesive, so you may need to add extra adhesive to certain areas of the box.

Photo by bruce mars from Pexels

If you have room to add additional foam panels, you can always add more if your soundproof box needs it. If you are using a flat foam panel, the application will be easy; however, if you are using a sculpted foam panel, you will want to turn the panel upside down to apply the additional panel.

Keep in mind that the beauty of the sculpted foam panels is that they are designed specifically to absorb and reflect sound. Therefore, if you obstruct the sculpture by placing another foam panel on top, some of the benefits of the sculpture may be lessened.

Final Thoughts

Making a soundproof box is an easy do it yourself project for anyone because of the simple list of materials and easy method of assembly. Don’t ask someone to make a soundproof box for you, and don’t overpay for a custom soundproof box.

Now that you know how to make a soundproof box, you can make a soundproof box for any application you need.

Do you know someone in your life who needs a soundproof box? Show off your newly learned do-it-yourself skills by putting them to use in creating them a soundproof box! Soundproof boxes are great for a variety of applications: audio equipment, boat motor, generator cover – you name it. And once you have mastered the concept, the sizes and possibilities are endless!