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Noise from the street, neighbors and other sources disturbs the garden stay. A hand-built noise barrier effectively counteracts this problem. You can find out how to build a garden noise barrier here.

In a nutshell

  • Soundproof wall made of reed
  • absorbs sound
  • low cost and labor
  • arbitrarily expandable
  • Point foundations necessary

Thatch as a noise barrier

If you are looking for a soundproof wall for your garden that can be easily adjusted to the desired length, certain materials are a much better choice. Structured concrete walls are often excavated or reinforced wire baskets are filled with soil and planted, but this involves a great deal of work and expense. If instead you prefer individual elements that can be set up in the garden like a privacy screen, you should use reed as the main material. Reed is made from reed (Phragmites australis) and offers excellent soundproofing properties due to the uneven surface. A large part of the noise is absorbed by the wall, which significantly reduces the volume. But these are not the only properties that the elements offer:

  • weatherproof
  • UV-resistant
  • durable
  • natural look
  • renewable resource

materials

Reed is available in the form of fence elements, from which you can inexpensively build individual noise protection walls or entire enclosures. For the instructions presented below, it is a soundproof wall with the dimensions 200 x 200 cm. These are attached using posts and point foundations, which makes it easier to install additional noise protection walls. For a 200 x 200 cm noise barrier you need the following materials:

  • 1 x thatched panel (pressed) measuring 200 x 200 cm
  • 2 x wooden posts measuring 200 x 10 x 10 cm
  • 3 x wooden slats measuring 200 x 5 x 2 cm
  • 2 x U post supports for 10 x 10 cm wooden posts
  • 350 kg of ready-mixed concrete for 2 spot foundations measuring 30 x 30 x 80 cm or 30 cm in diameter and 80 cm deep
  • 8 x concrete screws with a length of 5 to 10 cm (diameter depends on the post base hole size)
  • 8 x stainless steel screws with a length of 3 cm (diameter depends on post base hole size)
  • 12 x 5cm long M5 stainless steel self-tapping screws
  • Stainless Steel Tie Wire
  • 1 x plastic or stainless steel rain gutter with a length of 200 cm (as rain protection)
thatched panel

Notice: Pressed reed panels are available in thicknesses from 2 to 6 cm. 2 cm is quite enough for light traffic roads, while for more noise you should definitely choose thicker elements.

tool

In addition to the materials, you also need the right tools to build the noise barrier. Most of the tools are required for the spot foundations and for fixing the post bases. You save yourself a lot of work if you already have a foundation in the desired place. Unfortunately, classic ground sockets that are hammered into the ground are not suitable for noise barriers because they are too high. The following list provides you with the necessary tools for the project:

  • drilling machine
  • cordless screwdriver
  • Snake wood drill (choose the right diameter for stainless steel screws)
  • Concrete drill (choose suitable diameter for concrete screws)
  • 30 cm diameter auger
  • shovel
  • spade
  • wheelbarrow
  • large bucket for mixing the concrete
  • hand mixer
  • Wire cutter
  • smoothing trowel
  • gloves
  • pencil
  • Tape measure or folding rule

Notice: Equipment such as the cement mixer or the auger can be rented for a fee. Hardware stores offer the devices for four to 24 hours or a whole week.

pour foundations

As mentioned above, a point foundation for each post is required for the placement of the noise barrier. Since the wall together with the sleeves is a little higher than 200 centimeters, you have to make use of the foundations, otherwise they will fall over or be blown away. The spot foundations are easy to implement, even if you have not yet poured any concrete. First dig the holes for the foundations:

  • select desired place
  • Mark the distance between the two posts (e.g. with stones)
  • Distance: 200cm
  • Dig holes for the foundations
  • use augers for this
  • Place the tip of the auger directly on the mark
  • Dig a hole 80 cm deep
  • if desired, dig round lock to square with spade
  • Thoroughly remove soil

Now the holes for the point foundations are ready. Make sure that the centers of both holes are 200 centimeters apart. This allows the post bases to be mounted in the middle of the spot foundations, leaving you five centimeters left on each side. This overhang can be used to attach further noise protection elements. Now the foundations are poured:

  • mix the concrete according to the manufacturer's instructions
  • use a large bucket and cement mixer for this
  • the concrete should be viscous
  • don't mix for too long
  • only ever mix concrete for one hole directly
  • then fill the entire hole with concrete
  • level with a smoothing trowel
  • repeat on second hole
  • finally let it dry
  • do not load during the drying time
  • Drying time is usually 28 days to full load capacity
  • If necessary, cover the foundations with a rain tarpaulin

Tip: Feel free to put a little more concrete in the holes so that there is enough material in them. Depending on the mixture, concrete can sink, which leads to unevenness and makes a touch-up necessary.

Noise barrier: erect posts

Once the foundations have dried, you can start building the noise barrier. Fortunately, the effort for the noise barrier is significantly lower than for the spot foundations. Even several elements can be implemented quickly and effectively, which means that you can look forward to functioning noise protection in the garden within a short time. The first part of the instructions deals with the assembly of the posts:

  • Place the post base in the middle of the point foundation
  • measure distance
  • Align the post base so that one post side faces the other post
  • paint marks on the concrete in the holes
  • Remove post base
  • Equip a drill with a concrete drill
  • Drill holes of the selected screw length in the concrete
  • Guide the drill as smoothly as possible
  • then place the post base back in place and screw tight
  • Place the post in the post base
  • Fix posts 1 to 2 cm above the ground (e.g. over wooden slats)
  • this protects the posts from rising soil moisture
  • Draw holes for drilling on the posts with a pencil
  • Remove posts from sleeves
  • Drill holes 3 cm deep in the wood
  • Put the posts back into the sockets
  • screw tight
  • Remove wooden slats or spacers

Complete the construction of the noise barrier

Now the posts are up. Check again whether the distance from the center of the post to the center of the post is 200 centimetres. After that you can continue with the rest of the project and complete the noise barrier:

  • the 3 wooden slats are now mounted
  • serve as cross braces for attaching the reed elements
  • are attached at 3 different heights
  • the first directly above the post base
  • the second at 100 cm height
  • the third at 195 cm height
  • can be placed in the direction of the garden or the property line
  • Place slats from the post center point (5 cm) to the other post center point
  • fix with self-tapping screws
  • now roll out the reed element
  • between the posts on the cross braces
  • The reed element must not touch the ground
  • Fix the reed element to the cross braces and posts with the binding wire
  • ideally use binding wire every 20 cm on each wooden element
  • make sure you have a good grip, especially on the upper cross brace
  • Check that the reed element is properly seated
  • touch up individual areas as necessary
  • finish with a rain cover
  • to do this, place the gutter upside down on the top of the reed mats
  • also fix with wire
  • the rain gutter allows rainwater to run off as a roof alternative
  • Your noise barrier is finished

reinforce soundproofing

Once the noise barrier is in place, you can still adjust it to increase the soundproofing. What is meant by this? Sound is much more effectively prevented when it hits a porous or uneven surface. That means you can use a variety of different methods to reinforce the soundproof wall from the garden or street side if space is available. The following variants are suitable for this purpose:

  • planting (climbing plants)
  • thin gabions
  • hedges or shrubs
  • second noise barrier with a distance of 10 cm to the first

Notice: If you opt for climbing plants, stretch a wire mesh grid around the reed elements. This gives the plants enough support to green the noise barrier.

frequently asked Questions

Is a building permit required for the noise barrier?

Most noise barriers do not require approval up to a height of 180 or 200 centimetres. However, you should check your community's legal requirements for the construction of noise barriers or enclosures prior to construction, as these can vary significantly from location to location. Furthermore, development plans must be observed.

Do neighbors' laws have to be observed when setting up?

Yes. If you want to place the soundproofing on your property boundary with your neighbors, you must check the neighbors' law. The boundary distance to the neighboring property, which can be different in each federal state, is particularly important. A placement on the property line, however, is only possible if you and your neighbor agree.

How long can the reed elements be used?

Reed is an extremely robust material that only needs to be replaced after a period of 20 to 40 years. This is only possible if the soundproofing is protected against moisture from above and below. For this reason, as described in the instructions, you should not place the individual elements directly on the ground and equip them with rain protection on top.

Are the elements compostable?

If you need to replace the noise protection in the future, you can dispose of the used reed on the compost. All you have to do is remove the wire and preferably chop the stalks before composting. If they are crushed, they rot more easily. The wire used can also be disposed of without any problems.

What types of wood should be used for the beams and battens?

Since you want to set up the soundproof walls outdoors, you should use weather-resistant wood. Robinia, larch and Douglas fir are excellent for this purpose. If you want to invest a little more in the wood, use teak, balau or azobé.

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Garden design