Backyard Reflections

In many urban and suburban neighborhoods, ambient noise can be inevitable. However, blocking out these noises, whether from the busy side of the street, the kids playing outside or a neighbor’s pet, lowers stress levels and increases privacy. Fortunately, there are effective ways to ensure noise reduction in your place. One of which is landscape design. In this post, we’ll explain how.

• Sound absorption — Plants are used in this technique to entrap sound waves. In this process, the plant absorbs sound through its leaves, branches, twigs, and wood. According to experts, the optimal species for this will have numerous branches and big, meaty leaves with slender petioles (leaf stem). When deciduous in the winter, these broadleaf species lose their usefulness. Fortunately, they grow the most leaves during the seasons when you are outside and the windows are open. Many additional broadleaf evergreens can be used all year round for sound absorption benefits in warm areas.
• Sound deflection and reflection — The noise is reflected via this technique, sometimes back toward the source and away from the recipient. The barrier’s rigidity and density determine the difference. Your architect can design both aesthetically pleasing and functional partitions, acting both as sound barriers and possibly as a fence, which is ideal for your outdoor living needs.
• White noise — This produces pleasing sounds that the human brain finds pleasant to hide distracting noise. You can ask your designer to look for a water feature that will create a lot of noise when needed, such as during rush hour. You can turn it down to a more subdued level later in the evening when the city is quieter. A modest fountain can become much more powerful than you might imagine in a landscape with absorption, deflection, or refraction solutions in place.

Let’s Transform Your Outdoor Living Space!

For your landscape service needs, do not hesitate to call Backyard Reflections! You can reach us at (320) 640-2626 in Annandale, (218) 220-2785 in Nisswa, or fill out our online form to schedule your no-obligation consultation.