At the top of 1 of the most frequently asked questions. By default, we answer that question with a counter question: What does a car cost?

Buying a Greenwall noise fence is a lot different than buying a fence ... even financially. In the attached chart, we have listed the costs of different yard partitions.

If you want to install a sound barrier yourself, you can purchase a Greenwall Cassette from as little as € 135 per m². If you want us to take care of the installation, set up any poles and plant the Greenwall, and neatly prepare and finish everything, then count on a m2 price starting at about € 300. A considerable, but useful investment in the enjoyment of living!"

Absolutely! All Greenwall products are laboratory tested for their soundproofing properties and can therefore rightfully be called sound barriers.

However, it is important that you place the screen in the right place, and make it sufficiently high and long. Sound takes its path over and around the screen, and you need to make that path as long as possible for best results.

Sound can also be reflected off nearby buildings, so it still ends up in your yard via a detour.

This is a very valid question, and at the same time very difficult to answer easily. It also has to do with the previous question, but also with other factors.

The sound source; Is it road traffic, a pool pump or a schoolyard? What pitch do you hear? Is it peak noise or is it continuous noise?

The surroundings; Is there a lot of construction nearby? Is there a square or a pond? All elements that carry or reflect sound further.

You; Where do you experience the nuisance? Are you sitting against a wall, or under a canopy? Are you the only one bothered by it or are there more?

The best way to determine the effect of a noise barrier in advance is a GE(Sound Effect) study. You can read all about it in Question 9.

A noise barrier should make the path that sound takes from the source to the receiver as long as possible.

An infinitely long and high screen then gives the best result, but is not realistic. There are some maxims you can calculate with:

A noise barrier must be at least 1 meter higher than the straight line between the source and the receiver.

If sitting on the terrace (ear height 1.2 m) you are bothered by tearing engines behind your house (source height 60 cm), the minimum required height is 1.6 m if you put the screen next to the road, or 2.2 m right next to you on the terrace.

Sound from a sound source affects your over a 127º angle

If the noise source is at a single point, such as a heat pump, then you should consider the 127º angle from the source. In the case of nuisance from a road, you apply this angle from the place where the noise bothers you.

The image above makes it clear exactly what that means.

Without getting too technical: sound insulation is the degree to which sound does not penetrate the Greenwall. In particular, the thickness of the screen and its weight play an important role. Compare it a little with thermal insulation.

Sound absorption is the degree to which sound is absorbed and not reflected. Compare the sound in a bare room (without carpet, curtains, wall coverings and furniture: hollow and reverberant) with that in a furnished room. A high absorption value is perhaps even more important than a high insulation value, because reflected sound can still cause nuisance elsewhere or via a detour.

Tricky question! Actually, you should then ask yourself the following questions first:

• Is there noise pollution?
• Who or what is causing this nuisance?
• Is that allowed?
• Who benefits from a noise barrier?

In general: noise pollution caused by traffic must be kept within limits by the road authority (e.g. the municipality, province, state). They apply standards that are regulated by law. If the road does not meet the standard, the road authority is obliged to take measures at its own expense. See also this video.

Not all forms of noise nuisance are regulated by law. Noise pollution by neighbors, for example, is not regulated (just ask the Riding Judge....) In that case, there are 2 options: you agree to share the cost of the noise screen and put it on the property line, or you buy the screen yourself and put it in your own yard.

You can also join your neighbors in purchasing a noise barrier against the nuisance of the road that passes behind your homes, residential area or recreational park.

Businesses often need a permit if they structurally produce a lot of noise, and so they must also take measures if they exceed the standards.

In all cases, engage in conversation and jointly seek a solution.

A Noise Effect (GE) or acoustic survey is a way to determine in advance how much effect a noise barrier will have for you, taking into account several factors.

These include the size of the screen, the source, the location where the nuisance is experienced, and the environment. The study predicts how much noise reduction we expect to achieve from current levels. The study is done at a desk, using an acoustic program. By varying the length and height of the screen in the software, it is also possible to optimize the result, and achieve better results, for example.

The result of the study is a number, which predicts the number of Db reduction. Through sound clips we can then let you hear what that number means in practice.

A simple acoustic survey costs €950. The beauty of it is, that you make your decision to purchase a noise barrier only after the survey, and thus in this way you are assured against a mis-buy.

Yes! The Greenwall is intended for both the private and business markets.

For the business market, there is even a tax advantage because of the environmentally friendly investment. See also the next question.

As far as we know, there is none. Perhaps there are local initiatives that encourage the purchase of eco-friendly, sustainable or green initiatives that you can take advantage of.

For business associates, there is the MIA/VAMIL scheme. This tax benefit scheme is for companies that invest in sustainable and environmentally friendly measures. Greenwall is listed as one of them on the Ministry of Economic Affairs' Environmental List 2019. We advise you to contact your accountant for more information.

Actually, all the questions above also apply to you, except... You don't want to invest in investigations yet as long as the purchase is not certain, and you don't want to buy if you're not sure if the problem will be solved....

The solution: let the selling party do the research. This has the following advantages:

• It can demonstrate that noise levels will actually decrease with a noise barrier;
• The latter can use the survey for any potential buyer who is concerned about it;
• It increases the value of the home;
• We have a separate information page for real estate agents: What can a real estate agent do when asked about noise pollution?

With the above answers, we hope to have provided more clarity on the effect of a Greenwall. Is your question not there? Feel free to send us an email.