Sound Barriers
Transmitted Noise through the fence is a characteristic of the barrier material, determined by weight and stiffness and can be compared on the basis of transmission loss. The Typical Transmission Loss by Material Table shows that transmission loss by dense materials is most effective at stopping noise (sound abatement).
| Typical Transmission Loss by Material | |||
| Material | Thickness Inches (mm) |
Surface Area Weight lbs/ft2 (kg/m2) |
Transmission Loss, dB |
| AB Fence® Concrete Block | 5.6 (142.2) | 36 (175.8) | 32 |
| Concrete: Light Weight | 4.0 (101.6) 6.0 (152.4) |
40 (195.3) 60 (293.0) |
36 39 |
| Concrete: Sand-Gravel | 4.0 (101.6) | 48 (234.4) | 40 |
| Masonry: Concrete Block | 3.6 (91.4) 5.6 (142.2) |
22 (107.4) 33 (161.1) |
32 36 |
| Masonry: Clay Brick | 3.6 (91.4) 5.6 (142.2) |
36 (175.8) 56 (273.4) |
40 47 |
| Wood: Pine | 0.5 (12.7) 2.0 (50.8) |
1.5 (7.3) 6.2 (30.3) |
16 23 |
| Wood: Redwood | 0.5 (12.7) 2.0 (50.8) |
1.1 (5.4) 4.3 (21.0) |
16 23 |
| Wood: Cedar | 0.5 (12.7) 2.0 (50.8) |
1.1 (5.4) 4.3 (21.0) |
15 22 |
| Metal: Aluminum | 0.06 (1.5) 0.25 (6.4) |
0.9 (4.4) 3.6 (17.6) |
23 27 |
| Metal: Steel | 0.03 (0.8) 0.06 (1.5) |
1.3 (6.4) 2.6 (12.7) |
15 22 |