Everything You Need to Know About Acoustic Fencing

Finding tranquillity in the bustling modern world felt like an elusive dream before the advent of acoustic fencing. 

The constant noise in our surroundings easily overwhelms us and leaves us craving a serene refuge. 

Thankfully, soundproof fencing offers a practical solution to avoid the chaotic sounds of construction and traffic while complementing your home aesthetics.

Blending functionality with elegance, acoustic fence panels transform your surroundings into havens of calm. 

This guide digs into the unique benefits of acoustic fencing, how it differs from traditional fence panels, and how much sound you can expect to reduce after investing in it.

What Is Acoustic Fencing? 

Acoustic fencing, or noise barrier fencing, is a specialised fencing type that blocks sound transmission from one place to another. 

The primary purpose is to reduce noise pollution, creating a peaceful environment. 

It is installed in various settings to tackle noise-related problems. 

For instance, it is often used for busy roads, highways, and railways to mitigate the impact of noise on nearby residential areas. 

It can also be employed in industrial settings to minimise noisy operations and keep nearby communities from excessive noise. 

Since the aim is to decrease noise, these sound panels contain materials with optimal sound-blocking properties. 

Generally, they involve dense materials like timber, concrete, or composite. 

Besides, they may also include sound-blocking shapes or layers to dissipate sound waves. 

Acoustic fence panels come in various forms. The popular ones include: 

• Reflective barriers. These are made to reflect sound waves away from the area meant to be protected. They are generally designed using robust materials like metal, concrete and brick. These barriers are helpful for areas where noise originates from elevated sources like railways or busy highways. 

• Absorptive barriers. As the name implies, these barriers absorb the sound waves instead of reflecting like the former. They are made of porous materials like fibreglass or mineral wool and are useful for reducing noise in places with high-traffic noise. 

• Combination barriers. They combine both reflective and absorptive barriers. Combination barriers typically have a reflective side facing the noise and an absorptive side toward the protected area. This combination offers an optimal solution to minimising noise pollution. 

How Is It Different from Traditional Fencing?

Although both types of fences offer a boundary, they have different purposes. 

Here are some key differences between both. 

Materials and Construction 

Since acoustic fence panels aim to reduce noise, they are built using specialised acoustic materials that absorb or minimise sound waves. 

These may include mineral wool, composite materials or fibreglass. 

On the flip side, traditional fence panels are used for decoration or security purposes. 

The common materials used for their construction include metal, wood or vinyl. 

Height and Thickness

The primary thing that sets acoustic fencing apart from standard one is its thickness and height. 

A traditional fence is around 15mm thick. Contrarily, soundproof fencing can be twice as thick. 

Likewise, the height of acoustic fencing is more than the standard one because it aims to reduce noise from the surroundings. 

Spacing

Because acoustic fence panels aim to minimise the surrounding noise, they are packed tightly. 

In other words, you won’t notice any gaps in these panels compared to standard fences with minor spacing. 

Acoustic fencing is made from solid and tightly fitted panels to eliminate the gap and prevent sound from travelling through. 

Price

Acoustic fence panels are slightly more expensive than standard fencing for apparent reasons. 

They are built with specialised construction materials used to reduce noise pollution effectively. 

The added cost is henceforth justified, given the benefits it offers. 

However, it is worth noting that they do not cost a fortune.

You’ll find numerous affordable yet top-notch options on the market. 

Benefits of Soundproof Fencing

The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health highlights thousands of noise complaints by local authorities in England. 

Another stat reveals that 40% of adults in England are exposed to long-term road-traffic noise levels.

Since noise pollution significantly affects the quality of life, investing in a reliable solution is wise. 

Here’s how acoustic fence panels upgrade your lifestyle. 

• Better privacy. These fence panels keep outsiders from noticing or hearing activities inside the protected area by creating auditory and visual protection. This gives a sense of protection every homeowner deserves in their safe space. 

• Quality sleep. The National Institutes of Health mentions how environmental noise can lead to sleep disturbances. Fortunately, acoustic fencing reduces noise from nearby roads or other sources that may disrupt sleep. They create quieter surroundings making up for a peaceful night’s sleep. 

• Enhanced property value. Residential properties in noisy surroundings often encounter reduced value due to noise pollution. Luckily, a quality soundproof fence boosts the property’s value, making it a desirable option for potential buyers. 

• Reduced stress. Studies show that noise pollution can affect mental health by activating the body’s stress response. Therefore, investing in noiseless surroundings has become the need of the hour. Soundproof fencing contributes to a healthier, more relaxed environment by minimising noise levels. 

Conclusion

Acoustic fencing allows you to experience quietude amidst the chaos. 

Its aesthetically appealing design and powerful sound-absorbing properties transform noisy environments into tranquil spaces. 

Whether installed in residential communities or along the highways, they successfully reduce noise to a mere whisper. 

Since more people seek a noiseless ambience considering the rise of noise pollution, acoustic fencing marks a turning point in the quest for stress-free, healthier surroundings. 

FAQs

Does Acoustic Fencing Really Work? 

Yes, acoustic fencing effectively reduces the surrounding noise when constructed and installed correctly. 

Although its effectiveness varies depending on factors like the type of fencing used and the surrounding environment, a proper execution ensures significant noise reduction.  

How Thick Is Acoustic Fencing?

Acoustic fencing is thicker than standard fencing. The precise thickness depends on the materials used, the specific design, and the desired level of noise mitigation. 

A decent soundproof fence, however, offers a thickness of 38mm.