How to sound proof an open patio?

[Mygoal]

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Mygoal,

Thank you for your question and welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is wonderful to have you with us.

Soundproofing a patio is not an easy task because soundproofing is all about reducing air transfer and dampening the vibrations carried by air. As patios are open spaces, there aren't walls that you can seal up and put sound-dampening insulation in or sound-dampening sheet materials on.

Things like bistro blinds and dense plants can help reduce sound transfer, but it would not be completely soundproof.

It looks like you're currently in the process of constructing the patio. Can you provide some further details of what the plans are? This will help our members offer their best advice based on your patio in particular.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @TedBear and @Dave-1 who I'm sure will be able to offer advice once we have some further details.

Jacob

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @Mygoal 

Mmmm I am also interested in what your ideas are on your modified patio area

Things that help reduce sound echoes

Pot plants (indervidual pot plants not a garden)

Blinds as @JacobZ  mentions, Id actually go one more step and consider the chineese style room dividers.

Water, water in a birdbath, or falling. 

Soft furnishings can also help out with absorbing sound.

Sound coming from over the fence

This is a lot harder to mitigate, a drop down heavy blind that covers that bit from the roof of your patio to below the fenceline.

Pretty much anything that is going to break up the soundwaves is what you are after, either absorb or breakup hrd surfaces.

Dave

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Mygoal 

Another  approach is not to stop  the noise becase you cant in open air  maybe to mask  noises to your place. 

The idea is splashing running water will drown out other noises and be more appealling sound the mind  focuses on.  I use a 6500 litre pond pump and it masks light planes and 50% traffic noise.

For example your pool there could incluce a  low running cost pond pump Oase classic pond  8000lph  is only around 80 w  it barely registered on my solar setup or grid connection for my not  yet running but soon.

I have a  google speacker outside  and I tell it to play australian  bird calls on Spotifiy(  A paid  music app $17/month.)

Or  waterfall, ocean, or animal /bush sounds as your choice.

Play relaxation music in the background creating your own  sound bubble in your  space is the  key.  Its  your sound  bubble so you dont mind it. 

The volume only needs to be enough to fill the space.

Noise cancelling head phones work to about 70%  effectice too.

[Nailbag]

Hi @Mygoal 

You haven't clarified if you're trying to keep sound from escaping the internal space out or preventing external sounds penetrating in? Solving each issue is completely different.

Nailbag

[Mygoal]

Good question Nailbag - it's more about trying to keep sound from escaping the internal space. I understand it's difficult to soundproof given it's an open space but I would appreciate hearing of every option possible. Please note new images uploaded. 

[Nailbag]

Hi @Mygoal 

I guess then you're aiming to keep the noise of entertaining in that area to a minimum in consideration of your neighbours. With such a great open outlook to the pool are yard, anything fixed offering the most sound-deadening will only spoil that. My suggestion would be the same as @JacobZ by using the bistro blinds and shrubs where possible. The blinds are made of a very thick PVC/Vinyl and off course can be rolled up or down as required. A doubling up of the blinds would reduce further noise, but of course at double the price to and they aren't cheap for quality ones.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Morning @Mygoal 

Escaping noise Nice to see a considerate neighbour. I Still like the heavy screens/curtains to stop sound (works both ways) and breaking up the surface of hard flat areas.

The only thing I can add to that is maybe something like Prempanel 2700 x 600 x 21mm Oak Timber Acoustic Panel to your undercover brickwork to help stop sound reflection out from the house.

Dave

[Jewelleryrescue · Accepted solution]

Hi @Mygoal 

Keep in  noise in great of you to want to do that

Well depends on the  noise you are making as to what will help here.

If you are playing music/ movies  the first big  thing you  can do is un plug any sub woofer as they just broard cast that base far and wide I here my neibours 4 houses down  quite clearly. 

But other noise might be helped by putting soft furnishings on floors and  walls to absorb sound from that area depending on your needs. It will stop reflected sounds bouncing out with the direct sounds as  @Dave-1  was refering too as well.

Some sound bounces in my house down the corridor I was even thinking using  some  carpet or rug as a wall hanging.

Will glass louvers work in your situation they can be closed at noisy times.  But the prempanel looks nice I  never tryed it in absorbing sound  yet though.

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @Mygoal 

Thank you   for your  vote I hope  it helps your project success.

Some times with goals  like yours several  of the many solutions meantioned can add a percentage of good effect right up to the point your happy with the results too.

I just wanted to say a  water feature around the inside of the window or at the pond will  moderatly splash around and make white noise activly helps  hide  extra noise from inside or  out.   I think it  appeals to our cores as water helps  calm us. Basically I never meet a  person or animal that was repelled  by the water nature sounds. Never  hear complaints.

Water sounds with out the plumbing.

Keep in mind  the  google speaker and spotify ( I am sure  Alexa  can do the  same a well and  others)  combination can be told to play  water sounds and   i like Oz bird calls playing in the background. and also you can  get bush trickling water falls and bird calls.  In a  urban suburb this is  very pleasing .

in  addition It  might be my imagination but I could  almost swear the recorded  bird sounds  brought in some more real  birds calling back to the speaker for short visits,

Enjoy your project.