Soundproof Fencing: Noise Reduction Tips in Boise, ID

Over the years, our team of experts at Certified Fencing has worked with clients who install fences for a wide variety of reasons: whether clients want a residential fence for privacy reasons or to keep kids and pets contained, or clients want a temporary fence for crowd control purposes during an event, we focus on meeting each unique need. In some cases, clients are interested in installing a fence that also provides some degree of soundproofing or noise reduction. Some are installing a fence that borders on a busy road, or replacing a fence in a neighborhood with loud neighbors; others might need a commercial fence for an industry that produces a lot of noise, or a family may want to dampen noise from a dog that barks. At Certified Fencing, we are excited to share our expertise and help our friends and neighbors make the vision they have for their fence a reality. Today, we’ll be discussing tips on how to maximize the noise reduction you can get from your fence. 

Pick the right materials. If noise reduction and sound proofing are a high priority for you, the materials you choose to build your fence out of is really important. Sound travels as a wave, and a fence can serve as a barrier to those waves. As such, materials such as aluminum or IRON are not good options to reduce noise, as these materials do not provide a good barrier. To this end, cedar wood, vinyl, or even stonework fences are excellent choices to use for noise-reducing fences. In fact, masonry fences--made from bricks, concrete blocks, et cetera--may be the most effective option to block sound because of their density and the way these materials absorb sound. Here in the Treasure Valley, you’ll notice that the fences flanking the freeways are made of concrete for this exact reason. Bear in mind that these materials can be on the pricier side. 

Consider the height of your fence. A fence can only block noise up to the level it reaches. Shorter fences certainly have an aesthetic charm, but we recommend taller fences to best reduce noise. Six feet is a pretty standard height for privacy fences, and fences that are even taller will do an even more effective job of blocking out noise. Be aware that HOAs and building codes may have different rules and regulations for different areas, so be sure to do your research before investing in a taller fence that uses a lot of materials. 

Explore construction options for your fence. The style of fence you choose also plays a role in how effective it will be in blocking out sound. Picket fences are cute, but the spaces between each picket will allow sound to travel through. Shadowbox fences are also a unique and charming aesthetic, where each wooden picket is on alternating sides of the horizontal beams, but this style also leaves gaps, which allows sound to pass through. Aim for a construction that is as air tight as possible. Fences that have no gaps and go all the way to the ground will be the most effective at dampening sound. 

Play around with fence placement. The most traditional place to put a fence is just inside your property line. If noise reduction is your top priority, consider whether this default will best serve you or not. In general, there are two approaches we recommend to maximize noise reduction. First, place the fence as close to the source of the noise as possible. This disrupts the noise and works as a reflector of sorts for the sound waves. Alternatively, place the fence as close as possible to where you anticipate that you will spend the most time, which gives sound as much distance to dissipate as possible. A trendy barrier that blocks one side of your patio and affords noise reduction, shade, and privacy may be a good alternative, depending on where the source of the noise is in relation to your property. 

At Certified Fencing, we are passionate about serving our friends and neighbors here in Idaho to meet their unique fencing needs. We serve Boise, Meridian, Eagle, Star, Kuna, Caldwell, Middleton, Nampa, Fruitland, Twin Falls, ID, and all surrounding areas. Call (208) 449-2040 for more information today.