Fences and Gates - Best fencing material for a sound barrier
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : Best fencing material for a sound barrier
sjvbcl
05-15-09, 11:31 AM
My backyard abuts a street that has an ever increasing amount of traffic. The traffic noise has just about doubled in the past year. I would like to put some kind of sound barrier between the road and the house.
I need suggestions.
Please help.
I need suggestions.
Please help.
Gunguy45
05-15-09, 11:42 AM
Theres a reason the states put those large concrete walls up along freeways..sound barriers.
Tree's and such do not make an effective sound barrier, and I doubt if you will be permitted to build a 16 ft block wall in your backyard.
Is there a reason the traffic has increased? Did they widen the road or connect it through to another? New development going in?
Tree's and such do not make an effective sound barrier, and I doubt if you will be permitted to build a 16 ft block wall in your backyard.
Is there a reason the traffic has increased? Did they widen the road or connect it through to another? New development going in?
GregsFence
05-15-09, 12:06 PM
In some cases when communities complain to their city hall they can get the towns to take care of or at least attempt to take care of that type of issue.
But if you are looking for something to happen within the next 3 yrs you had better do it yourself.
In that case I would suggest the combination of both shrubs and a solid fence. A shaddow box or spaced picket type would do nothing to help. You would need the highest height you can legally install and the most solid fence . I would suggest a wood material over a PVC material. This I say because most PVC fence boards are hollow based. The posts are also hollow and with that sound will travel more easily through it than a dense material such as wood.
This is not to say that you would have no relief from a PVC fence , but this is to suggest that you would have better sound protection from a wood material over a pvc material.
I do not think that a chain link fence even with slats would provide any protection of sound.
As I began my post, I suggested the use of both fence and greenery. Combined they will assist in both keeping your property looking good as well as keeping the sound down as far as possible. Within your own hands that is. If you manage to put the fence up, I would still contact your city department to see if they too can assist. I would also contact them before the fence or shrubs go in so that if they do listen and send someone out to take sound levels they will be listening to what you have, not what you have already protected yourself from.
Good luck.
Gregs Fence ~
But if you are looking for something to happen within the next 3 yrs you had better do it yourself.
In that case I would suggest the combination of both shrubs and a solid fence. A shaddow box or spaced picket type would do nothing to help. You would need the highest height you can legally install and the most solid fence . I would suggest a wood material over a PVC material. This I say because most PVC fence boards are hollow based. The posts are also hollow and with that sound will travel more easily through it than a dense material such as wood.
This is not to say that you would have no relief from a PVC fence , but this is to suggest that you would have better sound protection from a wood material over a pvc material.
I do not think that a chain link fence even with slats would provide any protection of sound.
As I began my post, I suggested the use of both fence and greenery. Combined they will assist in both keeping your property looking good as well as keeping the sound down as far as possible. Within your own hands that is. If you manage to put the fence up, I would still contact your city department to see if they too can assist. I would also contact them before the fence or shrubs go in so that if they do listen and send someone out to take sound levels they will be listening to what you have, not what you have already protected yourself from.
Good luck.
Gregs Fence ~
DAguy
06-07-09, 03:23 AM
We always use hit and miss pannels along noisy roads or railway lines like in this picture http://www.obrientimberproducts.com/uploadedfiles/1.8m_x_1.8m_Hit_&_Miss_Fence_Panel_-_Vertical.jpg
in the UK the maximum height is 6'6" (1 meter), but its always best to check first (and its certainly worth checking if your council/city hall is willing to help with costs or even pay for it too).
Ideally they would be 6' high panels on a 6" concrete base panel in 9' high slotted concrete posts, or attached very well to wood posts.
www.drivewayadvice.co.uk - driveway advice home (http://www.drivewayadvice.co.uk)
in the UK the maximum height is 6'6" (1 meter), but its always best to check first (and its certainly worth checking if your council/city hall is willing to help with costs or even pay for it too).
Ideally they would be 6' high panels on a 6" concrete base panel in 9' high slotted concrete posts, or attached very well to wood posts.
www.drivewayadvice.co.uk - driveway advice home (http://www.drivewayadvice.co.uk)
brdnstn
06-28-09, 09:31 PM
Has anyone heard of the "living wall". I believe its a company out of canada (toronoto). They build somewhat of a double wall and fill it with dirt and willow shoots that grow rapidly into a wall of evergreen. It appears to provide great soundproofing and looks great. I also am in need of a sound barrier fence in the backyard due to a 4 lane state road. I've got a great backyard but have a little trouble enjoying it due to the traffic noise.