How to Landscape for Noise Reduction and Privacy

Everyone appreciates a little peace and quiet now and again, especially if you particularly enjoy afternoon naps and outdoor dining. But not everyone lives in the quietest of neighborhoods.

With developers and neighborhood planners placing houses closer and closer together to keep home costs low, you may find yourself fighting off the neighbor’s noise. Aside for complaining or investing in industrial ear plugs, have you tried updating your landscaping to keep the noise out?

Pick Plants with Many Branches and Thick Leaves

Your plants can surprisingly be used for sound absorption. Sound is absorbed by all parts of the plant including the leaves, branches and wood. When deciding which plants to place around the perimeter of your home, choose ones that have rough bark, fleshy leaves and many branches. The denser the plant, the higher likelihood it will absorb sound.

Deflect Sounds and Create Privacy with High Fences

If you’ve invested in a home because of its amazing views, this may not be an option for you. But if you’re worried about making eye contact with your quirky neighbor when looking out your window, it may be time to think about a privacy fence.

While plants tend to absorb sounds, the density of a privacy fence causes sounds to bounce off it and back toward the source; however, sound waves that are higher will likely go right over a privacy fence.

Try using fiberglass or corrugated metal fences which are a bit more flexible and likely to deflect sounds better. Add some dense shrubbery around your privacy fence to absorb any additional noises not deflected by your fence. Aside from reducing the noise around your home, a fence will give you an added sense of privacy in your yard.

Add Some White Noise

If you’re having trouble masking loud noises around your property such as a noisy highway or a public park, try just masking the undesirable noise as opposed to eliminating it. This can be done by introducing some white noise around your home.

Installing a fountain near the area of the home you experience the most noise or spend the most time in can help drown out those unwanted sounds. You can even opt for a fountain that can be turned up or down certain times of the day. First instance, you may want a heavier stream of water making louder splashes amidst rush hour when you have your afternoon drink on the patio. The sound of water will make you forget about the rushing sound of cars across the highway.

Wind chimes may also be an option for introducing more pleasant noises to make the unpleasant ones less prevalent. Of course, if your wind chimes are too loud your neighbors might start seeing you as the nuisance, so be cognizant of that as well.

Some plants generate white noise, too. Pines make a distinctive rustling sound, as do bamboo trees. You can always talk to a landscape designer who can suggest plants that offer white noise, height for privacy and density to absorb other noises.

Unwanted noises are something we all deal with as homeowners in neighborhoods shared with many others in close quarters. Part of being a homeowner is enjoying everything your home can offer. So, if adding some extra landscaping or white noise elements will greatly increase your enjoyment of your property, it is worth the extra effort and investment.