Have you considered what a sound barrier wall can do for your business? Also called a noise fence, it reduces noise by reflecting or absorbing sound. It can help reduce noise levels coming onto your property. If you run a noisy industrial operation, a sound barrier can also help lower the volume for your neighbours. Here are the answers to some common questions about sound barrier walls.
How is a sound barrier wall different from a regular fence? Standard fences come in many designs and materials to suit your security and esthetic needs. An acoustic fence must be imperforate, or free of gaps, to prevent sound from passing through. In addition, the fencing material’s surface mass density must be high enough to deflect noise.
How much noise can an acoustic barrier block? It’s reasonable to expect noise reduction of nine to 15 decibels, which means your ears receive half the noise. However, many factors add variability to this measure. The proximity of the noise source and other environmental factors play a role. Ultimately, your sound barrier’s effectiveness depends on selecting and building the appropriate type, height and length of fencing. A professional sound engineer can help determine the ideal specifications.
What factors impact a sound barrier’s noise-reduction capability? For optimal noise reduction, the sound barrier design must take several considerations into account:
Proximity to sound source. Sound works like water from your shower head; its spray area expands as the water gets farther from the source. The closer your sound barrier wall is to the noise source, the greater its capacity to block sound before it spreads.
Material density. To have sound-blocking capability, the material used to build a sound barrier wall should have a minimum density of 10 kilograms per square metre. The greater the mass, the greater the sound reduction.
Fence height. Fence height works on acoustics like a fence casts a shadow from sunlight. The higher the wall, the greater the “acoustic shadow.”
Structural integrity. Since an effective acoustic barrier requires an absence of gaps, you need to make the right design choice and ensure high-quality construction.
Before moving ahead with a build, choose the right contractor to help you navigate those tricky decisions and formulate an effective design.
Sound barrier and acoustic fence builders in Toronto
Whether you want a more peaceful commercial environment or a smaller noise footprint for your industrial operation, City Fence Inc. has a sound barrier solution for you. Our expert team provides noise fence installation and maintenance for commercial and industrial clients in the Greater Toronto Area. Contact us today to learn more and request a quote.