| So, your home is too near the road and noise is a | | | | past your front door, most of the noise from |
| problem. Nowadays we have the technology to | | | | vehicles comes from their wheels. This means |
| tackle many aspects of these problems, for | | | | that you need to block out noise at ground level. |
| instance glass with differing Sound Transmission | | | | Wrought iron fences, trellis work fences or |
| Class (STC) ratings. | | | | bushes can be improved upon as these all let |
| Many of the interesting older homes were built on | | | | noise through them. |
| smaller lots and when the little trail that ran past | | | | Start with a sturdy wall, five foot high made of |
| the home became wider and wider, the home lost | | | | concrete blocks or of brick. On your side of the |
| much of its front yard. Not to mention the fact | | | | fence, plants a back row of trees such as holly, |
| that 8 cylinder engines make more noise than a | | | | Japanese Yews and Canadian Hemlock (the |
| pony and cart! | | | | shorter specimen) or the fast-growing fir trees. |
| Noise is a factor in homes and also in yards, but | | | | In front of these nearer to your home plant a |
| there are solutions. The first place to tackle it is in | | | | row of hedge. Privet hedges (liqustrum) are |
| the home. Forget about double insulation and | | | | traditional favorites for hedging but laurel or fir can |
| storm doors if you have not taken care of your | | | | also be used. Take advice at the nursery about |
| windows first; the most noise will travel through | | | | which type of fir will bush out as you do not want |
| glass. | | | | a tall fir here. After a year or two growth you will |
| Double or insulated glassed units (IGUs) are | | | | not be able to see the wall (or hear the noise). |
| imperative and using a high rate STC glass is also | | | | Once this is done you must decide where your |
| imperative. A regular pane of glass is usually rated | | | | 'quiet place' in the back yard will be. Near to this |
| at a 22/25 STC rating, whereas double glass as in | | | | you can add a fountain. Attractive fencing |
| an IGU will have a combined STC rating of maybe | | | | sections and the fronds of bamboo trees and |
| 27-32. | | | | bushes will help privacy and noise. (Did you know |
| If you plan on putting in double glazed IGUs, and | | | | that bamboo grows six times faster and taller |
| you use a high rate STC glass, you will notice a | | | | than a regular North American tree and is the |
| difference in the decibels entering your home. | | | | fastest growing tree you can buy?) |
| Two panes of glass with a rating of STC 33 each | | | | If the noise is also bothersome in the front yard, |
| will make the difference you want. | | | | another fountain can be positioned in the front, |
| Once you have helped your internal noise levels, | | | | but it must be near to the house, not near to the |
| any exterior improvements you make to block | | | | traffic noise. Try to choose a fountain that is |
| out the noise will add to these internal | | | | moving substantial amounts of water, in order to |
| improvements. | | | | have strong noise - a little trickle may be lost! |
| Unless you regularly have semi trailers thundering | | | | |