Acoustic Fences (5 things you should know before you buy)
I’ve seen many requests for outdoor soundproofing over the last decade and previously there was no solution. However, we’ve recently begun to stock a high effective acoustic fence. I have to say, this is particularly exciting for people living beside busy roads, or, with air source heat pumps. By tackling outdoor noises as close to the source as possible, our acoustic fences both reflect and absorb sound waves, resulting in a more insulated, quieter experience.
What is an acoustic fence and how does it work?
Acoustic fences are a kind of acoustic barrier, that prevents noise from being transferred. The two key tenets of acoustic fence design are mass and seal. As with any soundproofing solution, adding mass will cause sound to be reflected or converted into another form of energy (such as heat) more easily.
One way of assessing this is to measure the weight of a fence per square metre of surface area on the fence panel. A standard timber garden fence will usually be around 4kg/m2, whereas for effective noise reduction, a minimum of 10kg/m2 is required.
The Noistop Acoustic Fence range has a mineral wool density of 170-190kg/m3 (11.4-18.7 kg/m2), making it an incredibly effective sound insulator. The dense mineral wool core of the fence is more than enough to prevent sound from leaking through the material itself.
| Fence Type | Weight per Meter Square |
|---|---|
| Standard Timber Fence | 4kg/m2 |
| Basic Acoustic Fence | 10kg/m2 |
| Noistop Acoustic Fence | 190kg/m3 (11.4-18.7 kg/m2) |
The second element of effective acoustic fences is finding a tight seal. Conventional wooden fences naturally have gaps and holes throughout. Just as water passes through a colander, sound will easily pass through these holes. Achieving a tight fit with a solid fence panel and sealing all joints between panels and posts will ensure that sound can’t flow through.
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Do acoustic fence panels work?
Acoustic fences can be a very effective solution for outdoor noise control. Noistop is rated Class B2 for sound insulation and Class A3 for sound absorption, more than meeting acoustic fence panel requirements.
Ideally, the closer the fence is to the noise source, the more effective it will be. Similarly, the taller the fence, the better it will perform. Any height differential between noise source and receiver also needs to be taken into account – if your garden is situated on a hill next to a busy road, an acoustic fence next to the road will likely not block much of the sound. For the majority of residential UK acoustic fences, a 2m height will suffice. For commercial and more industrial needs, Noistop Steel has successfully been used in excess of 6m.
Depending on the type of noise to be reduced, Noistop can also be configured in non-linear arrangements, including U and L shapes, and cut to size to fit the required space perfectly. This allows the system to be designed to most efficiently manage noise.
How much do acoustic fences cost?
Acoustic fencing cost per metre UK:
Soundproofing materials are not cheap, but you do get what you pay for – higher-performing solutions often include more costly materials. As a ballpark figure, for a 2-meter tall fence, you should expect to pay somewhere in the region of £235 per meter (linear). Many domestic enclosures for air source heat pumps are over £3000 (and quite often an eye sore!).
Providing an affordable acoustic solution for air souce heat pumps is something we were keen to achieve with the Noistop fence. It’s been great to see this solution going into domestic settings up and down the UK, providing the noise cancellation needed for planning permission.
Can acoustic fences be customized to fit specific needs and locations?
Yes, something we are proud of is that Noistop acoustic fence can be cut to size and designed to fit small or large spaces. This is something we were keen to achieve with an air source heat pump solution as we often find that installation spaces are constrained by the property or garden.
Unlike a wooden fence, the Noistop fence uses steel posts so the system can be built up to 6 meters tall. I often find that a height that blocks the line of sight to the noise source is enough though! We offer the panels in various lengths of 0.6m, 1.0m or 2.4m lengths, and 1.0m or 2.0m heights as well as a variety of specialised panels such as doors and overdoor panels.
Since stocking acoustic panels, we have designed systems that can fit around small air source heat pumps and much larger enclosures. The feedback working with the acoustic panels has been terrific and installers have said it’s easy to work with. Like a timber fence, these panels can be cut on-site, when needed, and easily joined to the posts.
What are the different types of acoustic fences available on the market?
| Feature | Noistop Fence | Timber Acoustic Fence | Garden Fence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass per m2 | 18.7 kg | 10kg | 4kg |
| Soundproofing Level | High | Medium | None |
| Material | Acoustic Mineral Wool & Steel | Wood | Wood |
The majority of acoustic fences on the market today consist of high density timber reflective panels, and timber/mineral wool absorbent options. Purely reflective panels will be ineffective in built-up, residential areas where reflected sound will simply be bounced back around by other walls and surfaces.
When we received the first delivery of Noistop into our warehouse, I was amazed at how substantial the panels were. Compared to a wooden fence, I found the Noistop panels to be much more of a barrier; they are far thicker, they are rigid and well up to load bearing from strong winds.
The things that I found particularly impressive about these acoustic fences was the tightly packed acoustic mineral wool. It’s nothing like light-weight thermal insulation, the material does not sag or decay over time with mold. The steelwork over the top will also prevent wear and tear affecting the mineral wool inside.
Alongside this first delivery of the fence panels, we also took panels of cladding. The wooden cladding is going to be a must for some customers who want the barrier to look like a regular fence. The wooden cladding was made with the same attention to detail and quality of materials as the barrier panels. You can see in the installation images that the wood can be coated to suit its surroundings and blend in – quietly.
Are there any maintenance requirements for an acoustic fence?
There are absolutely no maintenance requirements for the fence itself – which suits someone like me perfectly! The steel frame can either be galvanised or powder coated, whichever you prefer, to protect it from weather, wear and tear, while the mineral wool core is inherently water resistant.
The core is also breathable, which prevents the formation of mold or mildew within the fence. The wooden decorative panels may need some low-level maintenance as required, but they themselves are also treated to a high level of water resistance. I recently repainted our garden fence and it took all of an afternoon to complete, so the Noistop fence won’t be another burden on your time.
I need an 8 foot acoustic fence how tall can it go?
It really depends, but essentially the sky is your limit! Noistop Essential can be stacked up to 3m high, and for even larger projects, Noistop Steel is the perfect platform. I would say that for residential uses, it’s worth noting that UK guidelines for fence height stipulate that for fences fronting a road, 1m is the maximum height without planning permission.
That said, if like me your noise issue is out the back, then for fences not fronting a road (such as a back garden), 2m is permissible. I would say that most domestic situations would not require a fence beyond 2m, however, with planning permission you can install something taller. Noistop is a highly modular fence, with panels of varying sizes available allowing you to select the most appropriate height for you.
How does an acoustic fence compare to other noise reduction solutions, such as soundproofing walls or installing double-paned windows?
Comparing acoustic fences with alternative solutions can be a little bit misleading – just as you wouldn’t expect a shovel to be very useful in changing a car tyre, using the right tools for the right job is key for soundproofing. If you want to reduce external noise reaching the inside of your home, for instance, then I would begin with double-glazed (not something we offer).
I had terrible outdoor noise issues in my new home, but they were caused by old windows with poor seals. An acoustic wouldn’t help me with this issue, but it has helped with traffic noise in our back garden. Before installing anything, I would always begin by correctly identifying the source of your noise and the weakest areas first.
However, if you’re goal is to create a quiet, peaceful outdoor space, then these alternative solutions can’t help. Noistop offers the ideal option to effectively reduce and control noise in outdoor spaces, with minimal impact to your surroundings.
