Sound Seal: 3 Things to Consider When Choosing a Privacy Fence
11/9/2018
Fences are great for adding curb appeal, framing a yard, and containing family pets. However, they can also have another valuable use. A quality fence can serve as an excellent sound barrier for blocking unwanted noise from raucous neighbors and busy traffic. The Bufftech® and SimTek® privacy fence collections from CertainTeed are the perfect solutions for homeowners with noise pollution problems.
Traditional wood fencing only blocks about 75 percent of direct sound, while durable vinyl and rotationally-molded polyethylene SimTek fences block up to 98 percent of direct sound and have a sound transmission class (STC) rating of 26. Bufftech vinyl privacy fences have a similar STC rating of 21. In addition to providing great sound insulation, the durable panels can be used in either residential or commercial settings.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a sound barrier. Let’s discuss three of the most important qualities in a well performing privacy fence.
3 Factors to Consider when Choosing a Sound Barrier
1. Weight
Mass diminishes sound, so your fence is going to have to be heavier than most in order to properly insulate you from outside disturbances. Sound barriers should be thick and strengthened by steel. CertainTeed’s privacy fences are designed with steel-reinforced rails for strength and durability.
Bufftech fences are backed by CertainTeed’s WindZone™ performance, which means they are engineered for use in high wind and hurricane conditions. They have been approved by Miami-Dade test protocols, recognized as the most stringent standards in the country. Bufftech fences have also been dynamic wind load tested up to 115 mph.
2. Height
Even the best sound barriers can be rendered mostly useless if sound simply travels over the top of it, so privacy fences need to have panels that are taller than average fences. Bufftech privacy fences are available in a range of sizes, with the tallest available size reaching 8 feet tall. SimTek fences use panels designed to be stacked together to create barriers 8 to 12 feet tall. Remember to review city or HOA codes before building, as fences may violate these codes if they are too tall or impede the sight of passing drivers.
3. Structure
Since sound travels easier through substances with holes or gaps, a solid, gapless privacy fence blocks noise much better than traditional fences with slots between boards. All CertainTeed privacy fences fulfill this requirement as well.
If you have customers that live near a traffic heavy area or are looking for a way to block the noise from a bothersome neighbor, suggest a vinyl or polyethylene fence as a beautiful and durable way to restore peace and quiet to their yards. CertainTeed’s Bufftech and SimTek privacy fence collections are the perfect solution to give your customers the peace and privacy they need in their outdoor living spaces.