5 Ways to Soundproofing a Garden Effectively
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Spending time in your garden is surely one of the best ways to relax and unwind. However you can only do this as long as you do not have to withstand noise coming from the street or from neighbouring houses.
Considering that your garden is an outdoor setting, your first thought will probably be that there is nothing you can do about noise pollution here. But, in reality you can soundproof your garden so as to be better able to enjoy a tranquil setting.
Here are some of the best ways to manage to do this.
1. Surround Your Garden with Hedges
This is one of the best ways to reduce noise in your garden. And it is also a great way to add value and aesthetic appeal to your garden. So hedges can serve a dual purpose, making this a popular soundproofing method for gardens.
The thicker the hedges you plant are, the better it will be as they can offer improved sound attenuation. This is because the hedge basically traps the sound waves in it. It acts in a similar way to acoustic foam in fact.
The only problem is that when hedges are planted they take a rather long time to grow. So if you want a solution right away, you should opt for hedge bushes that are pot-grown. You should be able to find such potted hedge plants that are some 7 feet tall, and so they will work well.
For even better results you could also build a fence at the back of the hedges. This will make an even denser boundary all around your garden, and obviously soundproofing results will be even better.
2. Install Acoustic Barrier Fencing
There are some companies specialising in soundproofing methods that produce acoustic barrier fences. These are specifically made for garden soundproofing.
They are built with soundproof material that can offer effective results. Generally these include dense wood, with an interior core of fibre wool or mass loaded vinyl.
Such a fence will work by means of the principle of sound deflection. The dense inner material within the acoustic fence will reflect back the sound waves to the source, thus effectively acting as a barrier to sounds from reaching your garden.
Such fences are generally the best soundproofing option if you are dealing with high frequency sounds, rather than low frequency ones.
3. Soundproof Your Existing Fence
If you already have a fence around your garden, there is no need to remove it to install an acoustic barrier fence. You can use the current fence and make it ideal for soundproofing your garden in a variety of ways.
This is best suited for solid fences that are made from wood or vinyl. Ideally your fence should also be quite high, at least 6 feet in order to make a substantial difference when it comes to blocking sound.
One of the most common ways to make your fence soundproof is by adding a layer of sound deadening mats. These types of mats are used in vehicles and to reduce sound emitted from appliances and machines. However you can use them for this purpose.
Sound deadening mats are manufactured by various companies. Therefore it is a good idea to check out reviews to ascertain their effectiveness before buying. It is also best to opt for sound deadening mats that come with a self-adhesive back, as they can then be installed really quickly and easily to your fence.
However do make sure to add some nails at regular intervals to ensure that they do not detach themselves considering that they will need to withstand all weather conditions.
Another popular soundproofing method is to attach mass loaded vinyl layers. This may be more practical since this material is available in rolls, so you can simply cut it to the size you need.
Bear in mind though that mass loaded vinyl is a heavy material, so make sure to install it properly by using nails or heavy duty staples.
4. Build a Wall
A good way to considerably reduce noise in your garden is to build a tall brick wall all around the perimeter of your garden.
Brick walls are very dense and so they will block sound waves very effectively. Make sure to build a wall that is at least 6 feet high, or even higher. The higher the wall, the better the results when it comes to soundproof your garden.
For those who are thinking that building a brick wall will end up making the garden look less aesthetically pleasing, there is a way around it. You could easily plant creepers which will make their wall along the wall’s surface area, and make it look much greener. Vines are a good option.
Another point worth mentioning is that you may wish to check if you require a permit before building a wall.
5. Mask the Noise with Pleasant Sounds
Another way to tackle unwanted noise in your garden is to mask the sound with white noise.
Pleasant sounds such as those coming from a water feature could work wonders.
You could install a fountain in your garden, to focus on the sound of water trickling and splashing. Another nice option is a stream or waterfall. These options will also add aesthetic value to your garden.
Alternatively you could make use of plant foliage to attenuate noise. Planting trees is the best option, as are hedges. When the wind blows, the leaves of the trees will rustle and create a relaxing sound which will deviate your attention from the noise outside the garden. Planting bamboo is another great method as it grows faster than trees.
You could also set up several wind chimes around your garden. They certainly create a pleasant sound which is also very relaxing.
Conclusion
The above tips and methods to soundproof your garden are fairly simple and not that costly. Make sure to consider the type of noise you are dealing with to better choose an option that can be effective.
