Noise can make your life impossible at home or work. For example, if your home is near a busy highway, you will experience a lot of noise that can disrupt your rest at home. But you can install noise barrier walls to keep off the noise. With many designs and types of noise barriers, it takes work to buy and install the right sound barrier wall. However, when you consider the following factors, you can easily buy the perfect sound barrier wall to reduce unwanted noise.
Absorptive or Reflective?
There are two main types of noise barrier walls – absorptive and reflective. Absorptive noise barrier solutions diffuse or absorb sound, with little or no sound reflected off the wall. These are perfect sound barrier solutions, ideal for homes, offices near highways, and other areas where noise pollution is a major issue. On the other hand, there are reflective sound barriers, where sound is reflected or bounces back in different directions. So you have to decide what you want for your property. It is advisable to choose absorptive noise barrier walls. They are more effective in keeping noise at bay.
Sound Barrier Wall Performance
The primary purpose of noise barrier walls is to keep off or reduce unwanted noise from a specific source. Please note that there are various noise sources, such as manufacturing facilities, highways, ACs, swimming pool pumps, water pumps, and more. So be sure to choose a sound barrier wall based on the level of noise you want to keep out or reduce. For instance, if you want to reduce noise from a simple water pump, you just need to use a barrier wall with lower acoustic performance. Alternatively, if you want to keep off or reduce noise from a powerful manufacturing plant, you will need a wall with a high level of acoustic performance.
Noise Barrier Wall Durability
In most cases, you will need to install a noise barrier outdoors. And that means the wall must deal with storms, excess heat, strong winds, high humidity, and other harsh conditions. So you have to consider the durability of the wall. Rubber and synthetic noise barrier walls are absorbent, durable solutions you can consider. However, concrete or masonry wall barriers are the best if you want something more durable. But they are less effective than rubber and other synthetic or composite absorptive materials in reducing noise.
The Cost of the Project
The cost of the project will depend on the size of the wall and the materials used. Typically, a wood noise barrier is considered a less expensive option compared to stucco-covered concrete or fiberglass wall panels. So depending on the noise sources and application, pick the most appropriate sound wall materials. If you want an effective, durable sound barrier wall, get ready to spend good money on the project.
Aesthetics
Although the aesthetics of a noise barrier wall is one of the minor things you should worry about, it is advisable to consider it. Just choose walls that will enhance the look of your property. You can consider walls with patterned panels, unique designs/shapes, or even colors matching your outdoor features.