Along with security and privacy, fences also work as sound barriers. If road sounds are one of the reasons why you want a fence, read below to learn more about how to block out the noise. This is a common reason for fence installations in the Denver area. 

Noise-Barrier Fences: Factors to Consider

A fence intended to serve as a noise barrier or “sound barrier” will typically use thick tongue-and-groove boards, in order to form an impervious barrier.

These boards are nailed to heavy rails, which in turn are supported by heavy posts. The operative word for noise barriers is obviously “heavy.” That is because, as a rule of thumb, mass dampens sounds best — so fencing serving the purpose of blocking road sounds needs to be heavier than most other fencing.

For the same reason, masonry walls are more effective at blocking road sounds than even the best wooden fences. Berms (walls of earth) also make for great noise barriers if you can build them so that they are high enough (which takes a lot of earth).

But if you are, in fact, committed to using wood, aim for a fence that is high and solid (that is, no gaps between the boards). Whichever material you use, first submit a detailed plan (with precise installation location on your property, exact measurements, etc.) to the powers that be to ensure that you will not be violating any city ordinances.

A tall fence situated close to the road will often put you on City Hall’s hit list, especially if it is on a street corner (where it could reduce drivers’ visibility). This is unfortunate, since height is a key element in blocking road sounds (sound waves can travel right over a short fence, thereby defeating

Mass-Loaded Vinyl: a Step Beyond the Typical Noise-Barrier Fence

One way to improve the effectiveness of a wooden noise-barrier fence is to add a soundproofing material called “mass-loaded vinyl” to it. The product is sold in rolls. Make sure it is listed as being for outdoor use.

It is easiest to apply mass-loaded vinyl when a fence is in the process of being built, rather than retroactively. The latter is certainly possible, but it means removing fence panels and then reattaching them later.

Read the full article here: What Kind of Fence Will Block Road Sounds Best? http://bit.ly/2vKDl1L