Acoustic landscaping: reducing noise pollution in public areas

Across the UK, 40% of people are exposed to harmful levels of noise pollution.The issues which arise from heavy traffic and loud construction noise are not trivial, with research linking long-term exposure to increased risks of sleep disturbance and cardiovascular health impacts. As an architect or construction professional, it is important to consider acoustics when creating welcoming public environments.

Let’s take a closer look in this guide at what that entails and how timber plays a pivotal role.

Noise Pollution and Public Spaces

Public spaces are often hotspots for noise. Town centres, school neighbourhoods, parks and promenades, for instance, are hubs of activity, which can not only put people off visiting these spaces but also can be detrimental to surrounding residential areas. For local authorities and developers, this creates a challenge: how to manage sound in busy environments while still delivering spaces which feel open, welcoming and fit for purpose.

This is where acoustic landscaping comes in. By focusing on consciously designed interventions which work with the natural landscape, you can control noise levels without impacting the beauty and functionality of your environment.

What is Acoustic Landscaping?

Acoustic landscaping is a design method of incorporating natural and built elements into outdoor spaces to control noise levels. It can be used to absorb or improve sound, creating more pleasant environments which boost wellbeing. As local councils have a legal obligation to control sound levels and act on public complaints, this is a smart way to ensure public spaces meet government regulations.

How Acoustic Landscaping Reduces Noise

Sound behaves differently depending on the materials it encounters. Hard, reflective surfaces tend to bounce noise back into an area, while softer, textured materials absorb and scatter sound waves. This is where planting and timber structures play an important role.

Trees, shrubs and hedging help break up sound paths, particularly when layered and combined with changes in ground level. Timber features such as fencing and retaining walls further enhance this effect, creating boundaries which actively block sound. You can also install timber acoustic panels inside public buildings to absorb noise, reducing issues with echoes and creating quieter, calmer spaces.

Using Timber in Acoustic Design

Timber is particularly well-suited to acoustic landscaping thanks to its ability both to absorb, block and reflect sounds, depending on your intentions. This all comes down to density.

• A less dense timber will allow sound waves partially to pass through, absorbing them to reduce noise levels.
• Denser timbers will reflect noise, making them well-suited to blocking sound from without or containing high levels of noise, such as on construction sites.

Acoustic control is not the only perk which timber brings to the architectural table. While being excellent at absorbing and reflecting sounds, responsibly sourced timber is also much more sustainable than other alternatives, such as metal or plastic.  It is renewable, has a low carbon footprint thanks to CO2 sequestration and is biodegradable, making it perfect for local authorities working to hit net zero targets. It also blends perfectly into existing landscapes, making it far less of an architectural eyesore.

Choose Sustainable Timber for Acoustic Landscaping

If you  are on the hunt for sustainable timber for acoustic landscaping, we can help. EcoChoice provides a wide range of timber products and species, and we are happy to work with unique specifications to deliver exactly what you need. All our timber is FSC® and PEFC certified, and we can provide the necessary documentation for sustainability in public works.

To start working with our timber professionals, get in touch with us today.