As more and more people live
closer together in tightly packed subdivisions, the mental stress
of noise becomes a serious issue. Noise nuisance complaints are
on the rise and litigation is increasing. The problem is not limited
to wild parties or garage rock bands. Noise that ordinarily wouldn't
bother anybody, like ringing phones, pool pumps, or a TV, have now
become the sound-track of modern living. We try to tune it out,
yet the stress it causes is still present, and there's seemingly
no way around it. That's why ASC developed the SoundFence.
How it Works
The
SoundFence is most effective at frequencies above 500Hz which is
also the frequency range most perceived by the human ear. SoundFence
flattens the perception curve across the sound spectrum while at
the same time lowering the overall noise level. SoundFence not only
reduces the overall noise level, but reshapes the perceived noise
to meet the architectural standards for acceptable levels which
is a perceived flat spectrum.
SoundFence vs.
Concrete Soundwall
With no soundwall present,
sound travels freely onto the property and sound reverberates on
the property freely. Traffic noise can intrude, even from a relatively
great distance.
With the
typical highway soundwall , sound is reflected from both sides of
the wall. Car noise bounces back onto the roadway, but yard noise
bounces back to the house. An echo effect is created. The diffraction
effect can also recurve noise back to ground level, causing a horizontal
hissing sound coming off the top of the wall. A real headache.
With the ASC
SoundFence, sound is absorbed on both sides of the fence. There
is no echo chamber effect as sound intensity is greatly reduced.
Both street and backyard noise is reduced and a more comfortable
ambiance is achieved.
SoundFence
Design SoundFence Panels are always 44.25” wide,
and any height from 1-10 feet. The recommended SoundFence design
uses 4x4 pressure treated posts spaced four feet on center. Along
the base of the fence add a pressure treated Ground Seal, buried
3” below grade and extending at least a few inches above grade.
This Seal prevents unwanted noise from sneaking under the fence.
The ground seal can be 2x6, 2x10, or 4x6 for extra strength.
The actual SoundFence Panels rest on 2x4 pressure
treated top and bottom rails, strung between the posts. These rails
can be used to attach 1x4 cedar slats, or left un-slatted.
To size your Panels, subtract from the finished
height the “ground seal”, plus the 2x4 support rails,
and any slat reveal above the top rail. Therefore, a 6 foot high
fence would likely have SoundFence Panels that are 63.5” high.
SoundFences must have 4 foot on-center spacing between posts.
SoundFence Panels do not require cedar slats, but
do require a weather cap (see picture above) to protect the Panel
from direct impact of rain.
Why Are Posts
on Four Foot Centers? Fence
posts should be pressure treated 4x4 or 4x6. If using 4x6 posts,
the 6” dimension of post is always perpendicular to the line
of the fence.
Typical 8’ fence post centers are for light
weight fences that have little to no wind resistance. The SoundFence
uses 4’ fence post centers because it is sealed air tight
from the ground up, causing a strong wind load pressure.
We recommend that you contact local fence contractors
or structural engineers who know wind load requirements for your
area. Be sure to apply for a building permit, and comply with all
state and local zoning requirements.
Cost Standard SoundFence Panels are always 44.25”
wide. To help you determine project cost, we’ve listed our
most popular sizes below. If you are planning a SoundFence project,
use these Panel sizes in your design. Please contact us for a quote
on any size or quantity you are interested in.
Installation
is Fast and Easy The SoundFence goes up in 3 easy steps. A detailed
installation guide comes with every order, but here are the basics.
Step one is building the fence frame.
Step two is
to place the SoundFence Panels into the fence frame.
Call us today to
end your noise intrusion problems:
1-800-272-8823.
For "non-standard"
applications, we can engineer a custom plan that will give you the
peace of mind you deserve. To get started, fill out our Online
Info Request Form. We'll also need you to e-mail photos
and a rough site plan. This service entails a small fee which will
be applied to your SoundFence order.
The
SoundFence is most effective at frequencies above 500Hz which is
also the frequency range most perceived by the human ear. SoundFence
flattens the perception curve across the sound spectrum while at
the same time lowering the overall noise level. SoundFence not only
reduces the overall noise level, but reshapes the perceived noise
to meet the architectural standards for acceptable levels which
is a perceived flat spectrum.
SoundFence
Design
Fence
posts should be pressure treated 4x4 or 4x6. If using 4x6 posts,
the 6” dimension of post is always perpendicular to the line
of the fence.
