What Is a Noise Barrier and What Are the Phases of a Noise Barrier Project?

Noise barriers are a general term for sound-reducing solutions placed near sources of noise such as roads or railways. They can take many forms—from classic panels made of sound-absorbing or sound-reflecting aluminium and posts, to transparent plexiglass panels (possibly coloured), or designs clad with timber slats or vegetation. Ultimately, only the imagination sets the limits.…

Noise barriers are a general term for sound-reducing solutions placed near sources of noise such as roads or railways. They can take many forms—from classic panels made of sound-absorbing or sound-reflecting aluminium and posts, to transparent plexiglass panels (possibly coloured), or designs clad with timber slats or vegetation. Ultimately, only the imagination sets the limits. You can read more about our work process further down the page.

Absorbing and Reflecting Barriers

A classic noise barrier consists of a base panel mounted on a foundation. On top of this base, vertical posts are installed, between which noise barrier cassettes are placed. These cassettes can be manufactured in different ways depending on specific needs. Typically, they are made of aluminium with an insulating core.

On an absorbing barrier, the aluminium is perforated on the side facing the noise source (sometimes on both sides). This allows sound to pass through and be absorbed by the insulation inside.

If a reflecting barrier is desired instead, the aluminium remains unperforated, meaning the sound is reflected back toward the source when it hits the barrier.

Transparent Barriers and Railway Barriers

In certain areas, a solid noise barrier may not be possible or desired. In such cases, we recommend transparent barriers made from plexiglass. These offer a different set of possibilities, especially well-suited for residential areas or urban environments. Such barriers reflect the noise back to the source.

Railway barriers are typically curved at the top, and this curvature plays a special role—it helps reflect the noise back toward the tracks, where it is absorbed by the surrounding ballast (crushed stone).

Vegetated Barriers

Many are familiar with earth berms as a noise solution, but DAV NORDIC offers an alternative that is both more space-efficient and more sound-absorbing: vegetated noise barriers, also referred to as green barriers. In the DAV NORDIC product range, these are called Green Wall and Soil-Filled Barrier. These solutions are often used in residential areas, where they blend naturally into the environment.

Noise barriers come in many forms. It’s also possible to combine guardrails with noise barriers—a useful solution where space is limited and both safety and noise reduction are needed. At DAV NORDIC, we have developed a special guardrail system that also functions as a sound-reducing solution.

Read more about noisereducing solutions here

Noise Barrier Construction – The 10 Phases

An insigt into our noise screens