How to reduce traffic noise in your backyard?

In today's busy world, having your garden and peace is something invaluable. Unfortunately, if you live near large roads with lots of traffic your peace is disturbed and you may be looking for a solution. It doesn't just have to be traffic, loud neighborhood kids messing around outside on the street or construction can also easily find a way to your home. We will give you a few tips on how you can solve this problem.

Walls and fencing

Building a wall or high fence is probably the best thing you can do in this situation. If you are in a really noisy area such as downtown Chicago near the highway, you should consider a high masonry wall or even an acoustic fence.

Brick is very effective in cutting down the noise but not easy to deal with so maybe if you go for this option, hiring a professional is a good idea. But if the volume level is not that high, you can go for a solid wooden fence. Wooden fences can also combine with natural fences to get one unique.

Think about a row of hedgerows on your side of a ligneous barrier. It will give you an impression of being really close to nature but at the same time protect you from noisy streets.

Before any work, you should hire a professional surveyor to find out the right location of your property lines to avoid situations where you will pull up a fence on someone else's land. Also, give a call to your city hall where you can learn about any regulations and permits if they are needed for a wall or fence on your property. 

Before deciding what kind of obstacle is the best for your backyard be sure to take into account some of the characteristics that form the quality of these barriers. 

Think about density. The thicker the barrier is, the quieter your backyard will be. Keep in mind that your construction shouldn't be too flexible because that will cause vibrations and other unpleasant sounds.

Also, think about height. To block noise, the obstacle should be at least 2 meters high but that depends on where you live as we said earlier. Make sure your barrier has no gaps, even little ones will allow sound to sneak through. Of course, for max impact, try to place your fence or wall as close as you can to the origin of the noise. 

Add some vegetation

Trees, shrubs, and plants can help you in absorbing and diverting incoming sounds. This option alone probably won't be successful, but in combination with the already mentioned walls or fences is the most effective method for your peace in the backyard.

But if you decide to go only for vegetation try with evergreen hedges. Broad-leaf evergreens can also be a great idea. Plants like junipers are also good because of their thick branches. Plants can create their own cozy sound in combination with wind, and besides that, adds a lovely atmosphere to your backyard. You can go with larger plants but it will cost you more. You may find better deals at the end of a season in the near fall. Keep in mind to avoid plants that will attract bees in your home if someone is allergic. Same with poisonous plants if you have small children near. 

Plan your landscape

If building a wall or fence isn't an option for you, maybe you should consider digging downwards. A landscaper can sink your outdoor space below the rest of your property and that can be very good in blocking traffic noise just like any other wall or fence. If you have enough space but a lowered garden is not what you want, you can make a raised hill. A hill can also deflect noise and you can decorate it with plants as well. 

Create your own sound

Not all noises are bad. If you can completely muffle all the noise from outside think about creating your own who will drown out the less attractive ones. So consider placing a fountain in your backyard or you can use music to beat the traffic noise. Another good option could be a waterfall running into a tiny pond. But these methods include maintenance through the year so keep that in mind. Try to install outdoor speakers, it can be a great idea for entertaining as well. Most systems allow for Bluetooth connectivity which makes it easy to have music playing whenever you wish.

What about costs?

If you did all the research and you have a clear plan and vision on how to do it next question will be how much do I need to pay for it? You can save some of the money doing the work by yourself and if you are handy, why not? You can foresee paying anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 for that fence for example, but it's just a guess because real costs depend on where you live and on the material.

Remember that you don't need to have only one method. Combine more of them and costs will be smaller and effect almost the same. Maybe you can go for younger shrubs online for cheaper prices and plant them in front of your fence until they are tall enough to ensure some soundproofing.

Final thoughts

In the end, we are sure that some of these ideas will be helpful. Any sound barrier doesn’t just physically decrease traffic noise, it also makes you think your yard is quieter. To be sure you did a good job, you can measure the noise level before your barrier and monitor it after the work is done. If it's not that good, you can always make some adjustments.

We all like to have our private areas and there is nothing better than resting in your backyard after the workday. Estimate the whole situation and try to apply the right method. Good luck and enjoy your peace!