There’s nothing like the peace and tranquility of sitting out in your garden on a warm day, listening to the birds chirping and the wind blowing.
But if you live near a busy street or have noisy neighbors, that peace and tranquility can be hard to come by.
So, you may need to soundproof your garden! Soundproofing will not only improve your peace and quiet, but it can also increase your property value.
In this post, we’ll discuss some simple ways to soundproof your garden. Keep reading to know further advice for garden soundproofing.
9 Ways to Soundproof a Garden
Soundproofing your garden can make it a quiet oasis where you can relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Here are 9 ways to soundproof your garden.
Plant hedges around the garden
One of the best options to start with soundproofing a garden is by planting a tall, bushy hedge. It not only helps to block the outside noise but also provides ample privacy for the people who enjoy spending time in the garden. A hedge also adds to the charming appeal of the garden and makes it look more well-kept.
A thick hedge is a natural sound barrier to block out noise from engine grinds, neighbors, or even heavy traffic. But, it’s important to understand that a hedge won’t completely eliminate all noise.
Some sound waves will still be able to pass through the hedge, but many will be muffled by its surface. This can create a huge difference in the overall noise level in your garden.
Naturally, a hedge will take some time to grow tall enough to be effective against noise pollution. This can be discouraging for those who need a solution now.
Generally, it takes 5-10 years for a hedge to reach its full potential. However, planting a hedge is a long-term investment that will pay off in the end with a more peaceful and private garden.
Don’t worry if you can’t wait that long for your hedge to grow because you can also find pre-grown hedge plants that are already matured. These are more expensive than seedlings or small plants, but they will provide a quick solution to your noise problem as compared to waiting for a hedge to mature.
Having these beautiful hedges will help reduce noise from neighbors and also provide some extra interest to your garden with the sound they make in the wind.
It is important to add a fence if you decide to plant smaller hedges as it will give them the support they need to grow strong and tall. You can then remove the fence after a few years once the hedge is more mature.
Choosing the hedges for your garden is worth consideration because the greenery and beauty provide aesthetic value that is both pleasing to the eye and can increase property value.
You can also create different looks for your garden simply by trimming your hedges in different ways. For instance, if you want a more formal look, you can trim them into straight lines and sharp corners. On the other hand, if you want a softer, more natural look, you can trim them into organic shapes.
Invest in an acoustic barrier fence
Nowadays, the noise issues in the garden are becoming a major concern for the owners. In order to solve this issue, manufacturers are coming up with acoustic barrier fences.
These sound barriers for garden are designed to reduce the noise levels from the outside world, and thus help in maintaining the peace and quiet of your garden.
However, it is vital to mention that not every acoustic barrier fence is created equal. All rely on the quality of the product and the installation process.
If you purchase a poor-quality product, it will not only be a waste of money but also will not serve the purpose for which it is purchased. Hence, it is important that you buy your acoustic barrier fence from a reputable company that uses high-quality materials and employs expert installers.
The acoustic barrier fence is similar to the drywall in many aspects. It has 2 faces from the outside, one made of wood and the other material is used to absorb sound. The inner core can be anything from mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) or fiber wool.
The build quality of this fence makes it easier to send the noise back to its source as it includes the solid MLV material in the center. We highly recommend consulting a specialist because their experience and knowledge will allow them to suggest the best type of material for your needs and wants.
Additionally, by seeing their previous jobs you will be able to see something better that might be available nearby. It is very important to test acoustic fences before investing in them so you know if they will be effective in your own garden.
The testing process will help you to avoid wasting money because these acoustic fences come at a high cost.
There is no guarantee that acoustic fences will work perfectly if you try to install them by yourself because it needs to be done properly. If it is not installed correctly, you might end up with more noise from the panels brushing against each other.
Therefore, it is better to hire an experienced worker for installing acoustic fences to ensure they are effective in blocking high-frequency noises.
Build a garden shed
You should consider building the wooden shed with mass-loaded vinyl or sound-deadening mats to help reduce the noise from outside. You probably have experienced echoes in your garden area before and know how annoying they can be.
Usually, these echoes are created by sound waves bouncing off of solid surfaces including walls or alleyways. If you build your shed in front of one of these spaces, it will help to reduce the noise significantly. By creating a barrier between the sound waves, the waves will be turned back upon themselves and won’t be able to bounce off as easily.
There are various advantages of creating a shed, but it can be expensive. We know that not every person can have a large shed in their garden and If you don’t have room for an entire size structure in your yard, consider constructing something smaller instead.
Smaller sheds are just as useful and can be built relatively simply in very less time. You will learn that it is more practical to use a shed instead of trying to soundproof the entire area.
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Soundproofing the existing fence
We have the best method to soundproof your old fence without having to replace it entirely. By being creative, you can complete the task very easily. You should start with either wood or vinyl to make sure the fence is durable and will not collapse under the weight of the soundproofing material which we are about to stick it.
A chain link fence is not as sturdy and will often rattle, making it an unsuitable choice for garden soundproofing. By following our method, you can have the best and quiet fence in no time.
By all means, it’s important that you have a solid fence, not one with fancy patterns in it. If the fence has gaps or holes, we recommend filling them in before you begin with the soundproofing process.
It is necessary to ensure that your fence is tall enough to block the sound. You should consider a fence that is 6 ft – 7 ft. high in order to block out noise pollution from nearby sources. This is because most of the noises come from human sources, so you need something that will stay taller than human beings.
Now you have a reliable and rigid foundation, you can now soundproof it. For applying the sound deadening material, we would recommend using either MLV or automotive sound deadening material.
MLV is a heavy vinyl material usually sold in long rolls so you can cut it according to the size you need and then apply it to your fence with nails or a stapler. Since you need this outside, you don’t need to worry about the look of it.
On the other hand, the sound-deadening mats come as panels which can make your work easier. You can use them the same way as you would use the MLV, but they come in a pre-cut size and sticky back which can make the process much quicker.
No matter which material you choose, we recommend covering it in something to make it look nicer such as wood paneling.
Build a wall
You can also block out noise by building a brick wall around your garden. This will create a private and quiet space for you to enjoy.
The denser brick will completely absorb the sound waves, making it ideal for blocking out any traffic noise or noise coming from neighbors.
If we compare the bricks with fences then it is apparent that bricks are better soundproofing barriers than fences. The main reason behind this fact is that bricks have a more rigid structure than fences. This means that the overall structure of the brick wall will be less susceptible to vibration and noise passing through.
The height of the brick should be at least 6ft, but if possible, you should go even higher. Before starting your project, be sure to check local authorities to see if there are any restrictions on the height or type of wall you can build.
Also, note the charges of building a wall. The price of materials is one factor, but you also have to note the labor costs. You can save more money if you have knowledge of how to build a wall.
Introduce water features
In order to reduce the level of noise coming from outside, you can install a water feature as it will help to block out some of the noise and also provide natural and soothing sounds.
This can be an excellent way to relax and focus your mind on what is happening in the garden, without feeling distracted from other aspects.
Add practicality with a beautiful garden trellis
You can also use trellises to add some soft sound blocking abilities to your garden, as well as interest in the design.
Also, if you are hoping to create more privacy in your garden, a trellis can provide that for you while also adding some beauty. There are many different uses for a trellis and they can be a versatile addition to any outdoor space.
A touch of wind chimes
The soft and soothing music wind chimes make is the perfect way to block out any unwanted noise from busy roads.
We are sure that you will be able to relax and enjoy the wind chimes no matter what is going on outside. The music they make is soothing and will help you forget about the noise.
Trees & grass
Trees are particularly effective at blocking out sound, and they can also provide shade, privacy and improve air quality.
The grass is not as effective at blocking noise as trees, but it can still help to reduce sound levels. In addition, both trees and grass can add visual interest to your garden and help to create a more natural feel.
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Conclusion
So, there you have it. 9 simple and proven methods to soundproof your garden and get some peace and quiet.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive solution, or if the noise levels in your area are particularly high, then you may need to take additional steps such as installing fences or hedges around your garden.
But hopefully, these proven methods will assist you to make a start on soundproofing for gardens.