If you’re wondering about the most effective way to soundproof your fence, then you’re in the right place. The sound of traffic and loud, annoying dogs barking all day can be really irritating.
My wife and I tried a regular soundproofing fence, and it did help reduce the noise a bit, but I was still able to hear a certain amount of noise each day, especially when my neighbor’s kids began to play and scream.
We decided to take serious action to block out the noise. No method of soundproofing will block out the noise in a yard completely, but there are ways to reduce most of it.
The most effective way to get rid of unwanted noise is to use Mass Loaded Vinyl, otherwise known as MLV. This solution is quite affordable and the installation process is pretty easy.
How Is Mass Loaded Vinyl Used?
Mass Loaded Vinyl is one of the best soundproofing materials you can find. It can be used to soundproof walls, ceilings, pipes, floors and fences. It’s a very easy‐to‐use acoustic sound barrier that provides effective soundproofing for a wide variety of sound control applications.
It’s also a very flexible and relatively thick material that helps block airborne noise effectively. With this, you’ll be able to cover all the gaps on your fence without any hassle. It doesn’t matter if your fence has concrete, wooden or stone construction; regardless, Mass Loaded Vinyl will act as a second layer of protection. The material is also waterproof, which means you won’t have to rush it inside the house when it’s raining.
If you’re interested, then you can check out the current price for Mass Loaded Vinyl online. With this product, you can also prevent outgoing noise coming from your household from disturbing your neighbors. Even though it’s pricey, it’s surely worth the investment.
Here’s a step by step guide on how to properly soundproof your fence using Mass Loaded Vinyl.
Soundproofing a Fence With Mass Loaded Vinyl
1. Measure the Fence
Before attempting to buy MLV, make sure you know the correct measurements of your fence. Measuring the fence will guide you in the right direction when it comes to buying the right amount of material, so you must make sure you measure the height and length of your fence.
Once you’ve finish measuring the height and length, you can then proceed to measure the square footage of the fence, and order the amount of MLV that’s necessary. It’s typically sold in bulk packages that contain enough to cover 16, 40 or 100 square feet.
We also recommend ordering enough MLV to cover the entire fence, as you’ll want to make sure the MLV extends all the way to the ground so that sound is unable to leak through the bottom of your fence. If you’re on a budget and can’t afford to buy a large amount, then it’s best to soundproof the most vulnerable areas. For example, I would first install it on the street-facing part of the fence because it’s the one that’s directly exposed to most of the noise.
However, for those who don’t mind spending, it’s best to invest the money in a bit extra MLV, instead of the exact amount. After you’re finished soundproofing the fence, anything that’s left over can be used for smaller soundproofing projects, like soundproofing an air compressor or a washing machine.
2. Order the Mass Loaded Vinyl
Now that you’ve measured your fence and decided on your spending limit, it’s time to order the Mass Loaded Vinyl. There are numerous mats and foam products that contain some percentage of MLV, but aren’t the original product. Some of these products don’t have the same quality as the original one, and some are specifically made for soundproofing vehicles or smaller appliances.
For soundproofing your fence, it’s very important to get the original product. You can find it here at a reasonable price, and it’s also odorless.
3. Decide How You’re Going to Install the MLV
It’s now time to contemplate how you’re going to install the Mass Loaded Vinyl. There are four ways you can go about doing that. First, you can go the normal route and nail, screw or staple it to the fence with a staple gun. In this case, you’ll need to get a hammer, a drill or a nail gun as well. This method will make it quite easy to remove the MLV when needed.
Last but not least, you can use Green Glue. This will not only hold the Mass Loaded Vinyl securely in place, but also help reduce the noise itself. Green Glue is a soundproofing glue that’s extremely sticky, so when using it, you should follow all safety precautions to keep it away from your bare hands.
4. Cut the Material to the Required Size and Cover the Fence
MLV normally comes in a big roll-up sheet, so when you’re installing it, you’ll need to cut the material to the required size by using scissors or a knife (a utility knife is best).
It’s best if you cut a large piece so that there are fewer gaps between the sheets. After you’re finished, you can nail, screw, staple or use Green Glue to attach it to your fence. You’ll probably need another person to help hold the material in place while the installation is occurring.
5. Seal all the Remaining Gaps
Depending on the size of your fence, you’ll probably need more than one sheet of MLV to cover it entirely, which means there will be gaps between these sheets after you finish. You’ll definitely want to seal all these gaps to prevent unwanted noise from coming through, so you can get the most out of your soundproofing project. You can seal them by using closed‐cell foam tape.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helps you with soundproofing your fence and preventing outside noise from entering your home. All you’ll need to do is order mass‐loaded vinyl and get to work! The price is reasonable when you consider the value the product offers.
Thank you for taking the time to read our article. If you liked it, please check out my other articles on this site. if you have any questions, feel free to let us know by leaving a comment down below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Here’s another article you might like, How to Block Noise From Your Neighbors’ Yard.
image: Pixabay