What do you call a noise barrier for the garden: a soundproof fence or a sound-absorbing fence? Or a soundproof garden screen? And is it actually “sound-absorbing” or “soundproof”?

What do you call a noise barrier for the garden: a soundproof fence or a sound-absorbing fence? Or a soundproof garden screen? And is it actually “sound-absorbing” or “soundproof”?

All too often, any random garden fence is quickly labeled a sound-absorbing garden fence. It seems as if even a hedge is considered sound-absorbing greenery, simply because it blocks the view of the road: “I have the impression that the noise from the road has decreased now that the conifers have grown so large…” Nothing could be further from the truth, though it is a well-known phenomenon. We call this a psychological—or phantom—noise barrier.

To create a sound-absorbing property boundary, you only need one thing: weight.

After all, mass blocks sound. If you have the space in your yard, build a sound-absorbing earthen embankment. Soil is inexpensive, and it’s very effective. The only downside to a sound barrier is the space it takes up: a 2-meter-high earthen embankment can easily be 5 meters wide…

If you don’t have that space, a soundproof fence is an option—for example, the Greenwall Compact. Just like “regular” fences, these soundproof panels can be mounted against or between posts and take up very little space. The Greenwall Compact panels are heavy-duty sound barriers, so make sure the posts are securely anchored in the ground: due to their weight and surface area, these sound-absorbing property boundaries are particularly susceptible to wind!

A great hybrid solution is Greenwall’s freestanding soundproof walls: the Greenwall Classic. These feature special sound-absorbing elements with the right mass, yet their wide base and narrow top allow them to be installed without the need for a significant foundation. An added benefit is that these sound barriers can be delivered covered in greenery, so they can truly be called “green sound barriers.”

Tips and Tricks:

1. To compare soundproof fences or noise-reducing property boundaries, you can ask suppliers for the Rw value and the DLr value. The higher the number, the better the noise reduction.
2. Incidentally, the Dikke van Dale dictionary states that it doesn’t matter whether you refer to soundproof orsound-absorbinggarden fences. Both pass the spell check without error. And of course, the same applies to sound-absorbing/sound-absorbing, sound-insulating/sound-insulating, sound-reducing/sound-reducing, and sound-reflecting/sound-reflecting sound barriers/sound barriers.