Do you love spending time in your garden, but simply hate the fact that there is too much noise in the vicinity? Your garden is probably one of the areas in your house where you would like to relax and unwind. But due to the noise pollution from the street and neighbours, you cannot completely enjoy yourself. In order to solve this, did you ever consider soundproofing your garden?
You might never have heard of this, or have no idea of how it can be done. But in reality it is doable, and this is just what we shall discuss below. Follow these 6 top tips to soundproofing your garden so as to do this successfully and start enjoying a quiet and relaxing ambiance from now on!
Determine the Source of the Noise
First of all you need to determine what type of noise you are dealing with, and where it is coming from. Sounds can be split in two main categories, namely, impact noise, and airborne noise. Obviously when it comes to an outdoor environment, such as your garden, the main culprit is airborne noise. However, in order to control this you will basically need to completely soundproof your garden, such as by means of soundproof fencing all along the perimeter. And you cannot hope to completely stop this kind of noise, since low and bass frequencies travel far, and vibrations from heavy vehicles are not easily eliminated.
However you can reduce it greatly. You will also need to consider the distance the noise is traveling. The closer the noise source is, the harder it is going to be to manage to block it.
Consider Sound Attenuation & Sound Deflection Principles
Garden soundproofing options are mainly based on the principles of sound deflection, since they will basically work by causing the sound waves to bounce back to the source. In this way noise can be blocked. Sound attenuation on the other hand means absorbing or dispersing sound waves, so that they are stopped from bouncing around in a space. Both principles should be kept in mind when choosing the best soundproofing options for your garden.
Photo by John Davies Landscape
Determine your Budget
Once you start browsing through different garden soundproofing options, you will start to notice the money that you will need to pay to purchase certain supplies and complete such a project. Obviously the bigger your garden is, the higher the costs will be. It is important to set a budget, and to carry out some extensive research on the type of products and supplies you will need to buy. Some options are more expensive than others, but you will need to consider the most effective materials for soundproofing your garden.
Photo by Jenny Bloom Garden Design
Since the materials will be used outdoors, they are bound to be more expensive as they need to withstand weather conditions too. At the end of the day it is better to spend a bit more than to end up with very limited results when it comes to soundproofing.
Which Soundproofing Option is Best for Your Garden?
Once you have considered the type of noise, its distance and your budget, you can then move on to choosing one or more soundproofing methods for your garden.
The most common options include:
1. Planting Hedges Around the Perimeter
Tall, bushy hedges could work wonders when it comes to soundproofing your garden. Apart from offering you more privacy and a greener environment, hedges will reduce noise levels in your garden considerably. This is because thick hedges will work on the principle of sound attenuation as they sound waves can be trapped such as in the way they would be trapped in an acoustic foam. The denser the hedges are, the more muffled the sounds will be. The main problem is that hedges will need a lot of time to grow. So you may wish to invest in potted hedge plants that are some 7 feet tall. Although this will end up being a bit costly, it is quite an effective solution to soundproof your garden, and not have to wait years for the hedges to grow.
2. Erect an Acoustic Barrier Fence
Acoustic barrier fences are made from wood, with an interior core composed of a soundproofing material. This is generally mass loaded vinyl or fibre wool. Acoustic barrier fences are great for sound deflection and will help to reduce noise in your garden considerably well, regardless of the type of noise pollution and the source and distance. The main problem is that they will not come cheap, especially the bigger the perimeter of your garden is.
3. Install a Garden Shed
A garden shed could be built right in front of the entrance to your garden, or in an opening in the wall. A shed can reduce noise levels as it will act like a solid barrier against which sound waves will end up reflecting. Obviously a garden shed will not soundproof all of your garden but a small area in it.
Photo by Teass \ Warren Architects
4. Soundproof Your Existing Fence
An existing solid fence can be used to soundproof your garden, especially if it is made from wood or vinyl. Ideally it should be at least 6 feet high. The idea would be to block any gaps or holes in it, and then apply materials to it so as to soundproof it. You could stick sound deadening mats to it, or add mass loaded vinyl. Both are effective to block sound waves.
Photo by Kurt Krueger Architects
5. Build a Wall Around Your Garden
This is a straightforward option, and an effective one as long as you can do it. You will firstly need to get planning permission and see if it is permissible according to local regulations. A dense wall will work fine for soundproofing. Brick walls are best, and ideally the wall should be at least 6 feet high.
6. Mask the Sounds
Another option is to mask the noise with a more pleasant one. This is a good idea if the main noise is coming from distant sources such as road traffic. Some good ideas could include a water feature such as a fountain or a stream, wind chimes, or planting foliage which will make a calming sound when it is breezy or windy.
Photo by All Oregon Landscaping
Conclusion
As you can see there are various ways to soundproof your garden. Some options are more expensive than others, and effectiveness varies depending on the choice as well as the noise you are dealing with.