How to reduce noise in your backyard

Noise has been suggested to affect our mental and physical well-being. It’s been linked to increased risk of hearing loss, generalised anxiety disorder, stress, disturbed sleeping patterns and can even reduce life span. Noise reduction, therefore, can positively affect more than just your Sunday morning sleep ins.

A 2003 study by Brown and Bullen found that up to 20% of dwellings in Australian cities were exposed to traffic noise well above the recommended by the World Health Organisation. This percentage has likely increased, due to Australia’s expanding population, advancements in infrastructure and the residential housing boom.

For inspiration to see what will suit your backyard, check our different range of walls and fencing options.

Here’s how to find the right solution for you to add peace and quiet to your backyard oasis.

Step One: Choose your method

• Sound deflection is when sound waves bounce against a barrier back to the source. It’s the most effective way to “kill sound”, but harder and more expensive to achieve.
• Sound attenuation is a more common solution, which lowers the intensity of the sound by absorbing it.

Step Two: Understand what noise barriers need

Height: Acoustic barriers should be around 2m high to sufficiently block out traffic noise and prevent noise from rolling over the top; block the line of sight to help block the noise.

Note: Be sure to check local council regulations about height specifications.

Density/rigidity: The denser the material, the more likely it’ll absorb noise. A highway-adjacent home with semi-trailers rattling past will call for a denser barrier than a smaller residential street.

Full coverage: A noise barrier should extend all the way to the ground; gaps at the base or in between sections will allow extraneous noises to enter underneath.

Proximity to the sound: Sound protection barriers should be constructed as close to the source as possible, such as by the road or around an A/C unit. Alternatively, the barrier could surround a spot where you frequently sit, such as your courtyard.

Type of sound: Your noise attenuation solution may be dependent on the noise type, and whether is it high or low frequency. For instance, an A/C unit will require a different solution to traffic noise.

Step Three: Choose your solution

Brick walls

PROS:
Highly durable
Up to 50% noise reduction

CONS:
Very expensive
Long and difficult installation
Older aesthetic won’t match modern homes

(source)

Modular walls and acoustic fences

PROS:
Up to 50% noise reduction
Up to half the price of a brick wall
Sleek, modern aesthetic
Rapid, easy installation

CONS:
Is cheaper than a brick wall,
but more expensive than timber or metal.

Brushwood fences

PROS:
Found to reduce noise if 600mm or thicker
More affordable than a solid wall
Can last up to 30 years

CONS:
‘Rustic’ aesthetic
may not work with architectural design
Not suitable to bush fire prone areas

(source)

Hedges

PROS:
Aesthetically pleasing
Psychological benefits
Studies show plants can reduce stress/anxiety

CONS:
High maintenance
Maximum noise reduction is about 25%
Plants need to mature to reduce noise

(source)

Metal fences

PROS:
Sturdier than wooden fencing
Cost effective
Easy to install in an Aussie backyard

CONS:
Looks cheaper and not as versatile
Least effective noise barrier
Damages easily and not for high wind areas

(source)

Wooden fences

PROS:
Easy to install – DIY friendly
Cost effective and material is easily accessible

CONS:
Less effective as a noise barrier
Shorter shelf life due to damage /rot
Not suitable for bushfire prone homes

(source)

Written by Sophie Deutsch

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For more information about ModularWalls’ acoustic walls and fences, call their in-house team on 1300 556 957, or simply enquire below.