As population densities increase around the world, the issue of noise has become a very real problem.
Although we can become accustomed to many different types of repetitive noise, there are some sounds that require mitigation from a sound barrier wall, either because of their impact on a business or residence, or because their levels are sufficiently high to cause physical issues to the receivers.
While there are many products available to treat noise within interior environments, such as sound-proof windows, doors and building materials, treating outdoor soundproofing is considerably more challenging.
Nuisance noises from such activities as highways, trains, HVAC equipment and many other sources are frequently mitigated with the use of noise barriers, or sound wall.
As the name indicates, these structures are designed specifically to block unwanted sound waves from a particular source from reaching a particular receiver.
While traditional sound walls were comprised of simple materials like concrete or wood, some of today’s sound walls employ sophisticated sound-absorbing technology.
Instead of simply blocking and reflecting the sound waves in other directions much like an echo, these sound absorbing panels actually diffuse and absorb the unwanted sound waves
Consumers today have a broad variety of sound barrier material and options to choose from, including wood, concrete, metal and synthetic materials.
The level of performance and durability of each product dictates the cost. Researching and determining which barrier type is best for you is an important process, given the significant cost for an engineered sound wall.
1. Sound Barrier Wall Performance
As you would assume, the most common reason for purchasing a sound wall is to reduce unwanted noise from a specific source. And noise sources are all different.
For example, a simple swimming pool pump may emanate sound in the 65-80 decibel range, which is comparable to riding in a subway car.
On the other hand, jet engine testing facilities have noise sources that can run as loud as 150 dBA, which can cause severe hearing damage instantly.
Obviously, you would not require the same level of acoustical performance from a sound wall in these applications.
Given the typical cost-to-performance ratio for sound barriers, it is important to match a sound wall’s performance to your specific noise source, to ensure you achieve the desired mitigation in the most cost-effective manner.
2. Sound Wall Panel Design
Sound panels are the individual panels that compromise a noise barrier or sound wall. The design of the sound panels dictates their ability to mitigate targeted noise.
While simple sound panels made of wood, concrete, or metal do a good job of blocking noise from passing through them, they reflect sound in unwanted and unpredictable ways.
More sophisticated acoustic sound panels are designed to absorb and diffuse sound waves in addition to blocking them, thus eliminating the issue of reflected noise.
Research shows that whenever possible, the use of sound-absorbing material is always better than the use of reflective material.
3. Product Durability
Since outdoor soundproofing material is required all over the world in some of the harshest environments, durability is an important consideration when selecting a sound wall product.
If your application is in Phoenix, AZ or Midland, TX for example, you need a product that can withstand extreme heat and UV.
Conversely, if your application is in Fargo, ND, you may be more concerned about the product’s ability to withstand subzero temperatures for long stretches of time.
Some applications require sound walls to be fire rated or even bullet-proof. While others along the Gulf Coasts require extreme wind-loading capabilities.
Whatever the case may be, long term durability is a consistent requirement for all outdoor noise barriers, so it is imperative to use materials with long and successful track records of outdoor exposure and stability.
4. Manufacturer History
Since sound walls are expected to last and perform for decades after installation, choosing a sound wall manufacturer that has been in business for many years becomes incredibly important.
How can a company that is only five or ten years old make claims that their product can last decades?
While laboratory theories and white board performance projections are OK, time-tested, real-world experience are better than theories.
When it comes to selecting a sound wall company, try to locate one that has been around long enough to provide firsthand confirmation of their competencies and products.
5. Sound Wall Aesthetics
While considerations such as acoustic performance and product durability typically rank higher on the checklist, aesthetics do come into play for some buyers.
From an acoustical perspective, aesthetic treatments are somewhat limited in sound walls because the barriers are designed primarily for acoustical performance, and adding aesthetic components often diminish their net acoustic performance.
Some precast concrete sound walls offer patterned panels, while some of the synthetic sound walls such as fiberglass offer clean shiplap designs.
In most cases it is noise reduction that rules the day, and any aesthetic touches are simply the icing on the cake.
6. Ease of Installation
One of the key cost drivers for any sound wall is the complexity and cost of installation.
Traditional sound wall materials like precast concrete are extremely heavy and require large equipment and cranes to install.
Alternatively, progressive lightweight noise barrier materials are easily handled by hand and require very little heavy equipment.
Labor and equipment mean costs. Generally, the easier and faster the installation, the less expensive it will be.
7. How Much Does A Sound Wall Cost?
How much does a sound wall cost is probably the most commonly asked question by those needing a noise barrier. And as you can see from the considerations listed above, there are many factors that influence cost.
Technically, wood is sometimes considered a sound wall, and when compared to an engineered fiberglass wall panels like the SonaGuard barrier system, wood is “cheap.”
But you typically get what you pay for with sound walls. This is why it is so important to match the sound wall product to your specific noise source and application.
Remember — the worst-case scenario is using a less- expensive and under-performing sound wall product, then having to replace it entirely with a better product that should have been used initially.
8. Made in USA
If you were not already a proponent of using products made in America, then perhaps the recent revelation that most of our medical PPE and medicines are made overseas has converted you.
If you have a choice, buy sound wall products that are made here in America!
A sound wall is just what it sounds like- a place on a wall where you can organize sounds-spellings that different letter combinations can make. It’s similar to a word wall, but better! Sound cards display phonics patterns that help students learn to read in an organized, or systemic, manner. For example, a student would need to know that s and h together make a /sh/ sound, like in shoe.
The sound card would have this scaffold there for them to remember. The sounds should be grouped in meaningful ways. You may have short sounds together under the same color, digraphs together, and all the long a sounds together so that students can quickly locate the sound and spelling they need when decoding and encoding. It’s a beautiful and fun visual that helps students learn!
The sound wall pictured above is used for K-2.
Real photos can be used for a more mature look for 3rd-5th grade students! (Click on the image to see the resource)
A sound wall helps teachers stay accountable for what they are teaching, and offers some mental organization for the scope and sequence they are following. Untaught sounds can stay “locked” until they are explicitly taught, at which point, they are ceremoniously uncovered. It allows students to see what they have learned and use the wall as a scaffold as they become stronger readers. It holds them accountable when they write, because they now know certain sounds. (I will also add, one does not need to choose between a word and sound wall, you can have both!)
I always teach a sound or a couple of sounds per week. My students absolutely love coming in on Mondays and seeing the new sounds that got “unlocked.” (Unlocked= the picture of the lock taken down and a sound card replacing it.)
Using a sound wall effectively begins with finding out where your kids are and what they need. When you are introducing sounds, you should be starting with the easiest ones and then progress to more complex spelling patterns. More about systematic phonics can be found here.
I started the year with second graders. I took a guess about the bare minimum they must be coming in with. I began my sound wall with some sounds “unlocked,” or uncovered. It turned out most of my students didn’t yet know their a-z letters and beginning sounds. I turned all the cards back over and began again with short vowels. We have to meet students where they are. We can skip around based on what they should have learned, only what they actually know.
The most important thing to remember in using the wall is it must be an active part of your teaching/modeling throughout the day. Begin with showing students how to use the cards and where to find them on your wall.
Let’s say you came to the word “python” in science class. The y does not may a /yu/ sound. Go to the wall and model. “Y sometimes makes the /long i/ sound like sky (anchor picture.) Let me try blending this again.”
The general rule is, if you don’t use it, they won’t use it. So use it. And refer to it often.
Using a sound wall effectively will help students a ton. They not only get a visual scaffold when they get stuck, but because same sounds are chunked together (all the long I cards for example,) it makes the learning stick. As time goes on, they will be able to lessen their dependency on it, so don’t worry about them relying on it too much. They will use it until they don’t need it anymore! Sound walls can be used Prek-5th, and honestly even beyond if it’s a need.
When incorporating a sound wall, don’t just throw it up and forget about it. Model and use it often. Refer to it often. Have kids practice using the sounds in different ways. I have reading membership centered around systematic phonics. I teach them to trace the letters, copy the letters, and avert their eyes and write the letters. You can of course add all the fun for novelty- sand boxes and shaving cream. As much interaction you can get is great. The slides below are routines from my reading membership.
Using a sound wall effectively involves interaction. I do not cover up my wall during spelling or reading tests. Kids use it for tests, and that is perfectly fine with me. I want them to use it. The fact that they recognize the need to locate a sound-spelling and use it accurately is an amazing thing!! They will not rely on it as their learning solidifies over time.
To get started with your sound wall, make sure you informally assess your students to find out what the majority of the class needs.
Once you find the entry point for most students, you can fill in the gaps through small groups. I had some students who raced ahead and knew more than my wall offered at the time, so we went further during small group time. I had others who were not fully caught up with all the sounds and that was ok too. We worked on catching up and reviewing in small group.
Some students with learning differences required a lot of review and we spent much of our small group time reading and writing with these sounds in order to store them to our memories. Orthographically mapping words helps students store words and sounds to memory as well. This just means that I tell my students the words and we practice sounding them out then matching the letters to the sounds. I used mini sounds reference charts to practice at the small group table.
Click the image below to purchase my sound wall.
If using a sound wall effectively and teaching students how to become successful readers still sounds daunting… don’t worry. I’ve got you! Let me be your Science of Reading Coach. I have taken care of all the work for you. I created a 46 week program which covers all the reading (decoding) needs from kindergarten through second grade. We begin with short a and end with prefixes. You can check out 3 free weeks here. The membership will give you lessons, printables, aligned decodables, extra worksheet help, assessments, training videos, and tests! Good luck!
*School purchase orders are accepted.
*Classroom licenses available.
*Contact [email protected] for district licensing
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Hexagonal Gabion Box, 358 Anti Climb Fence, Vibrating Screen Mesh Manufacturers.