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Gardens are the little utopias we escape to when we want to relax and unwind. Even better when you have a garden room like sheds or cabins for private relaxation and entertainment.
Generally, the peaceful environment gardens offer is something we must not take for granted. But it can be quite painful if that serenity is taken away by the noise pollution.
Studies even show that noise levels can affect our mental and physical well-being. Thus, reducing the noise nuisance in your garden might be more important than you think.
If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, we’re here to help you maintain peace in your outdoor space.
Key takeaways:
- A garden should be a place of comfort and peace of mind. Not somewhere that adds horrible discomfort on the ears.
- There are different levels of noise in the garden. This could be airborne noise, or unwanted sound from the nearby traffic or loud music at night at a BBQ party across the neighbourhood.
- This post is for people who live close to a busy road and want to reduce the noise source coming in their backyard. As well as for those looking for a soundproofing solution or alternative (with soundproofing materials).
What is Garden Noise Pollution?
If you’re thinking of how to deal with noisy neighbours, that is considered as noise pollution.
As the name suggests, noise pollution is a source of unwanted sound mainly caused by transports and machines. Not to mention the disturbing sound that your neighbour’s speakers make.
Luckily, there are measures you can take to try and stop as much noise as possible from filtering into your garden. Whether the sounds come from the street or noise at night parties, we have helpful barrier tips and alternatives for you to block that nuisance noise!
Eliminating the Sources of Noise Pollution
1. Create a garden wall made of bricks
Brick walls provide increased levels of density and mass. These are important aspects when mitigating sources of noise pollution.
If installed to a good height, they can be an effective noise blockers, especially if built to a reasonable thickness. But the downsides are they are a very costly option and planning permission may also be required.
2. Consider metal soundproof fencing
Metal fencing may not be as aesthetically pleasing as timber and bricks, but they make great security fencing and as noise blockers. This material can be used alone or on top of another fence to provide sound insulation.
Metal is solid and heavy enough to block all the complaints about noise. Corrugated metal is a great option if you want it to be long-lasting, as it’s resistant to corrosion and water.
3. Soundproof fences made of timber
Another effective way to reduce noise pollution is by creating a sturdy barrier with a thick, tall fence. A traditional wooden fence makes an excellent economical choice to minimise garden noise.
But if you have the budget, building solid walls made from bricks and stone fences are your best option.
Top tip: When building a fence, make sure the panels are packed tightly together. This is to ensure that there are no minimal gaps, so no sound can travel through.
4. Or opt for acoustic fences
Acoustic barriers are becoming more popular than ever due to their ‘blocking of noise nuisance’ properties. This type of soundproof fencing is built with much thicker, denser, T&G timbers to increase its acoustic values.
Although they may come with a higher price tag, they are still far cheaper and more aesthetically pleasing than brick walls. Even better, they are far more effective at blocking unwanted sound and white noise.
5. Add practicality with a beautiful garden trellis
Trellises can make a garden look more aesthetic and chic, at the same time, they add a layer of practicality. A well decorated trellis does have some light sound-absorbing abilities.
Vines like Jasmine and Honeysuckle help filter the nasty fumes that nearby cars let out into your yard. A beautiful garden trellis is also a marvellous creation when it comes down to garden privacy.
6. Plant shrubs around your yard
Planting shrubs is one of the effective ways to lessen the noise in your garden. For one, Hollies and Junipers have thick branches at ground level, which can help reduce traffic noise.
Once these shrubs have grown and reached maturity, they create a noise barrier. It’s best to plant the shrubs close together so there are no gaps for unwanted noise to come in.
To increase the density, plant them in more than one row. Shrubs aren’t a quick fix, though, but they are guaranteed to offer privacy and as a sound barrier once established.
7. Think of your landscape
There are a variety of landscaping methods that can help you lessen the road noise. Although it’s a more expensive and time-consuming option, it will likely be an effective solution.
Planting evergreen trees is a great landscaping tip you can apply to block noise from a busy street. Unlike with regular trees that can only reduce noise when they’re full of leaves.
Evergreen tree leaves don’t fall off seasonally. Most of their branches can extend to the ground, making them an excellent landscaping option for noise reduction.
8. Introduce water features
Not only do water features create a peaceful environment, but also they can help reduce garden pollution, such as traffic noise. By installing one in your yard, you’ll be surrounded with soothing sounds that can help your brain to focus.
Top tip: Place the water feature in outdoor seating areas or near your house, depending on where the noise source is coming from.
9. A touch of wind chimes
By placing some wind chimes in and around your garden, you can create a more tolerable atmosphere that distracts from the road noise. This makes them excellent noise blockers alternatives.
Even with a gentle breeze, wind chimes start to jingle and produce pleasing sounds. The kind of sound they make can help you forget or at least ignore the sources of noise pollution outdoors.
10. Achieve a wildlife garden
By encouraging wildlife into your outdoor space, you’ll be joined by an abundance of pleasant, natural sound. This is a great and natural way of distraction from external noise!
Transforming your garden into a wildlife haven may require time and effort but it sure is worth it!
(Image Credit)
Noise Barriers Considerations
Be it a wall, fence, or foliage, you now have an idea how you can add a noise barrier to your garden. But there are a few factors that also need to be considered.
This includes the height and length, density, coverage, and placement.
1. Height and length
The higher the barrier, the more effective it will be at deflecting noise. Closing the line of sight is a good starting point, but the higher the proposed barrier is the better.
For instance, a fence that is at least two metres tall is far less likely to allow sound to pass over it than a barrier at one metre high or lower.
2. Density
You might think that the denser the barrier, the more likely it will block noise. But that’s not always the case.
A material’s own density comes with rigidity which can provide a flanking route. If you live close to a particularly busy street, invest in a thicker denser solution combined with appropriate dimensions of height and length.
3. Coverage
Sound can find its way to pass through even in the smallest of gaps or cracks. With this, you’ll want to make sure there are no gaps where sound can pass through.
Don’t neglect the tiniest of holes as they could reduce the effectiveness of the barrier.
4. Placement
Barrier placement also plays a crucial role when it comes to the efficacy. The closer the barrier is to the source of noise pollution, the more effective it should be at sound reduction.
Other ideal positioning would be at the perimeter boundary which may already have some type of existing structure in place. And depending on the lay of the land and elevations, secondary barriers may be considered.
Round-up
The level of noise produced will determine the most suitable noise reducing approach. Budget, convenience, as well as aesthetic also play a part.
These handy tips and ideas are worth giving a go if you’re eager to reduce noise pollution in your garden. But if you’re unsure which option is best suited to your needs, we recommend reaching out to a professional acoustic consultant.
Once you block the noise out, you’ll have a greater sense of privacy and tranquillity in your garden once again.
FAQs
How do you reduce outdoor noise in a natural way?
Through planting. Planting trees and shrubs around the edges of your garden works wonders.
This method helps reduce noise from the other side fence. Plus, any extra mass and physical object will bounce and slow down sound waves before they reach your garden.
How do you drown a traffic noise in your backyard?
Blocking all highway and road noises from your yard completely is impossible. But our barrier tips and ideas can help you reduce those unwanted sounds, enough for you to enjoy your garden.
How do you soundproof a garden?
Planting and fencing are the easiest and effective ways to do so. And keeping the noise barrier considerations we've mentioned in mind will help you achieve a better outcome.
What do you think ?