We’ve all seen sound barriers or sound walls along highways, neighborhoods, construction sites and many other noisy areas. They’re normally concrete, wood, plastic or even vinyl blankets.

You will get efficient and thoughtful service from JINBIAO.

Most are quite effective at reducing highway noise, construction noise and many other forms of noise pollution. But depending on their properties, they could be causing more problems than they’re fixing.

This article will discuss the properties that should be considered when shopping for one of these sound barriers, specifically reflective vs. absorptive properties.

Firstly, we would like to say that the best sound barrier has both absorptive and reflective properties.

A sound barrier’s performance is measured in two ways. One is Sound Transmission Class (STC), and the other is Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC). STC measures the amount of sound that passes through the wall or barrier while NRC measures the amount of sound the barrier actually absorbs vs. the amount of sound that is reflected.

A STC rating of 30 or more means that 0.1 percent of the sound reaching the barrier passes through. If the barrier is not absorptive though, 99.9 percent of the sound is reflected. We’ll explain in a moment why that isn’t always a good thing.

Many state departments of transportation require STC ratings in the range of 24 to 32.

An NRC rating is between 0 and 1. If a barrier has an NRC rating of .85, it means that 85% of the sound reaching the barrier is absorbed and 15% is reflected.

A good sound barrier is a sound-absorbing wall with a STC rating of 30 or more and a minimum NRC rating of .85.

Frequently asked questions

We answered most of the questions about our noise barriers and fences.

Why are your noise barriers and screens planted?

Greening facades brings several environmental benefits. It helps manage stormwater, and plant evapotranspiration regulates temperature, mitigates the urban heat island effect, and improves air quality by capturing CO2.

Additionally, green facades contribute to biodiversity by serving as ecological corridors that help counteract habitat fragmentation due to urbanization (Earth Pledge, ).

Furthermore, greening enhances the quality of life for occupants and fosters a sense of well-being. Contact with a natural landscape has beneficial effects on human health, such as reducing stress and aggression, lowering blood pressure, relaxing muscular tension, and increasing positive feelings like calmness (Urich & Simons, ; Velázquez, ).

Lastly, climbing plants help prolong the lifespan of structures by protecting them from the elements, particularly rain and UV rays.

Are the willows alive?

Based on our experience, the optimal conditions (sunlight, water, nutrients) to ensure the longevity of live willows are often difficult to achieve for this type of infrastructure. Additionally, live willows require maintenance that is often not desirable for this type of structure.

For this reason, Ramo instead uses facades incorporating dried willow stems that act as carbon sinks and serve as supports for climbing plants. Over time, the screen will be covered by climbing plants, providing the benefits of a vegetated infrastructure while maximizing longevity and minimizing maintenance of the structure.

An ecological noise barrier?

Our products are designed to minimize their ecological footprint. The materials used in the manufacturing of our products are durable, natural, recyclable, low maintenance, and mostly locally sourced. The wood used in manufacturing will have absorbed and sequestered a significant amount of carbon, making the products low in carbon.

Furthermore, Ramo applies best design practices to achieve lifespans comparable to or better than more traditional materials.

How long have you been making green screens?

Ramo manufactures its products under exclusive license from Pilebyg (Denmark) and Heinrich Fahlenkamp GmbH & Co (Germany).

For over 25 years, Pilebyg has been designing and manufacturing willow noise barrier walls. Heinrich Fahlenkamp GmbH & Co. has developed and patented a unique technology that has been providing an exceptionally durable product for over 40 years.

With these partnerships, Ramo ensures to provide proven, durable, and high-performing products. Since , Ramo has manufactured and installed several tens of kilometers of noise barrier walls in Quebec, Ontario, and the United States.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Noise Barrier Panel.

Additional resources:
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Our products have been tested and certified in compliance with ASTM E90, E413, and C423 standards. Our products adhere to the highest industry standards and the norms of the Quebec Ministry of Transportation and Sustainable Mobility (MTMD).

Consulting a study conducted by an acoustician allows us to design the noise barrier wall while meeting the requirements of height, length, location, and the characteristics of the noise barrier wall (surface density, STC, NRC) to meet sound mitigation needs. We also work with all specialized acoustic firms.

Can your wall catch fire?

Historically, combining our experience and that of our Danish and German partners, no project has been exposed to significant fires. Although wood has flammable properties, the spread index is relatively low due to the materials used in the design. Furthermore, the rock wool acts as a retardant and the steel poles limit the spread.

Why use willow in your walls?

Le saule grows extremely rapidly, it can reach up to 5 meters in height in three years. During its growth, it absorbs and sequesters a large amount of CO2 which advantageous in terms of carbon footprint. Furthermore, after being cut, it has the property of regenerating itself with its root system that remains in the soil. It is a source of renewable raw material practically infinite!

What maintenance is required for the wall?

No maintenance is required. All materials used are maintenance-free.

Will the wood rot?

Wood has been used in building construction and road infrastructure for hundreds of years. Bridges, farm buildings, guardrails and poles are all part of our landscape. Thanks to the use of durable species and the judicious integration of wood components, it is possible to achieve a long product life expectancy. The primary enemy of wood is humidity, which is why Ramo applies sustainable design best practices such as :  

• Addition of a protective metal cover on top of the screen.
• Techniques for minimizing contact between pieces of wood
• Designed to limit rising soil moisture.
• Designed to evacuate water and moisture.
• Layout and profiling of wooden parts.
• Use of galvanized steel structural components.
• Integration of climbing plants to reduce degradation by UV rays and rain.

What are the benefits of using a Ramo noise barrier?

• Only noise barriers manufactured in Quebec
• Minimization of carbon footprint
• Compliance with the standards of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility of Quebec Acoustic performance compliant with ASTM E90, E413, and C423 standards
• Durable and low maintenance
• Resistant to graffiti
• Natural and recyclable materials
• Greening and combating heat islands

I'd like a natural soundproof wall. What do I need to do?

If you are an individual, please contact one of our distributors/installers.  

If you are a professional, contact us and our team will assist you with your inquiries. 

Where can I get prices for willow fencing?

Consult the list of our installer-distributors by region. 

Where can I find the installation guide?

Click here for the installation guide of the Woven Fence. 

Are your products wind-resistant?

Our products are designed to withstand wind loads according to applicable standards and codes (National Building Code [NBC], Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code [CSA S6], etc.).  

We can provide workshop drawings signed and sealed by a duly licensed engineer.  

Can your products withstand winter conditions?

Our products are designed to withstand the harsh winter conditions encountered in Quebec and elsewhere in North America. Additionally, wood offers great resistance to salt impact. It is important to pay particular attention to the placement and elevation during design, as wood panels are not designed to withstand projections, especially from a snowplow. However, we believe it is entirely feasible to conceptualize screens near highway borders, properly elevated on a concrete base. It is important to note that our products have a history in Europe, notably in Scandinavia, which is exposed to climates similar to those experienced in North America. 

Is willow wood less durable than traditional fence wood?

In the literature, willow is not known for its durability, like cedar or oak.  

The primary enemy of wood is moisture, which is why Ramo applies sustainable design best practices such as :  

• Ajout d’un couvert métallique protecteur sur le dessus de l’écran.
• Techniques de minimisation de contacts entre les pièces de bois
• Designed to limit rising soil moisture. 
• Designed to evacuate water and moisture.
• Layout and profiling of wooden parts.
• Use of galvanized steel structural components. 
• Integration of climbing plants to reduce degradation by UV rays and rain.

What’s more, our unique debarking process gives the willow an extremely smooth surface, making it very difficult for water to penetrate, unlike a piece of wood that has been sawn or debarked using an abrasive process.  

Lastly, the willow stems are mechanically braided without fasteners or fixings to limit moisture entry points. 

Is Ramo doing the installation?

Ramo green screens do not offer installation services, however, we have certified installers in Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta. Additionally, installation is simple and can be done by a general contractor. 

What is the size of the fence panels?

The standard width of our panels is 5 feet. The panels can easily be shortened as needed. It is also possible for us to manufacture custom panels up to a width of 8 feet. The standard height of our panels is 6 feet, but it is possible for us to manufacture custom panels with a height up to 11.5 feet. Please note that it is possible to stack panels for heights exceeding 11.5 feet. The thickness of the panels is approximately 5 inches. 

What are the dimensions of Pilebyg classic noise barrier panels?

The standard width of our panels is 5 feet. Panels can easily be shortened as needed. It is also possible for us to manufacture custom panels up to a width of 16 feet. It is possible for us to manufacture panels up to a height of 11.5 feet. Please note that it is possible to stack panels for heights exceeding 11.5 feet. For more details, please refer to our typical drawings. 

What is the size of the HF1 noise barrier panels?

The standard width of our panels is 12 feet. It is also possible for us to manufacture custom panels up to a width of 16 feet. The standard height of our panels is 5 feet, but it is possible for us to manufacture custom panels up to a height of 7 feet. Please note that it is possible to stack panels for greater heights. For more details, please refer to our typical drawings. 

Are you interested in learning more about Double Wire Fence? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!