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Busy streets, noisy neighbours with barking dogs or loud music, and nearby construction work. These are just a few things that can disturb your peace in the garden. Luckily for you, there are ways to block them out or avoid them.
In this guide, we’ll look at how garden rooms can help, as well as suggest other effective methods to cut down the noise. Sound good?
Use a Summer House to Escape the Noise from the Neighbour’s Garden
Enjoy some peace and quiet in a wooden summer house without all the background racket. The solid timber walls naturally muffle external noise, helping to create a calmer space. On top of its dense structure and natural fibres that absorb and dampen sound waves, wood also has inherent sound-insulation qualities.
Some summer houses go even further, with insulation or specially designed panel fittings to cut down noise even more. Take the BillyOh Petra Tongue and Groove Reverse Apex Summerhouse, for instance. This is thanks to its tongue-and-groove (T&G) boards interlocking tightly, reducing the amount of noise that can get through.
Of course, how you decorate the inside makes a big difference, too. Check out these ‘Summer House Interior Ideas You Don’t Wanna Miss!’ for some inspiration.
Take note of these features when purchasing a new unit or refreshing your existing one. Now you know what type of cladding and extras to consider.
Thicker and Insulated Log Cabin to Reduce External Sounds
Have your afternoon tea time, a small get-together with friends, or simply unwind in a log cabin retreat with thicker walls and built-in insulation.
44mm log cabins are among the thickest on the market. Imagine four centimetres between your thumb and fingers—it’s pretty thick for a plank of wood, which also means better insulation. If you’re after something in between, 28mm log cabins offer a good balance with a medium timber thickness.
Either way, thicker and insulated walls help break up noise, like when the wind carries sound towards you. Even if you leave the doors open, as long as the walls face the wind, they’ll still dampen much of it.
The denser the timber, the better it shuts out background disturbances and the more effective the insulation. Check out our ‘Log Cabin Wall Thickness Guide’ to find the right option for you.
More Ways to Keep Traffic Noise Out of Your Garden
If you’re near a busy road, these ideas will definitely help:
Put up brick walls
The density and weight of bricks naturally absorb and deflect sound, making it a brilliant soundproofing solution. As a wall barrier, the key is getting the right height and thickness to maximise noise reduction.
While brick walls can be pricey upfront, they’re a long-term investment that won’t need much upkeep. If planning permission is required, sorting it early will save you the hassle of having to make changes later.
Generally, walls over 2 metres need approval, and those near a highway are usually limited to 1 metre, so it’s best to check with your local council first.
Plant shrubs around your garden
Hollies and junipers, among others, work especially well because they grow thick and bushy, starting low to the ground, which is perfect for blocking sound.
Hollies have tough, evergreen leaves that help absorb noise, while junipers grow dense and full, making them a solid natural barrier. Once fully grown, these plants also add greenery and shelter for wildlife.
Tip: For even better coverage, plant them in multiple rows. Just keep in mind that shrubs aren’t an instant fix—they take time to grow. But once they do, they’ll give you privacy and a much quieter garden.
Add a water feature to drown out the noise
What we like about water features is that they’re soothing to the ears, and at the same time, they do a great job of masking the sound of busy streets, traffic, or chatter from next door.
A small fountain works well, but if you’ve got the space, a pond with a waterfall or a trickling birdbath can be even better. Bonus: they’ll also attract birds and other wildlife, bringing more life to your garden.
For the best effect, place it near where you spend the most time—whether that’s your patio, seating area, or even by the house. Add a garden bench nearby, and you’ve got yourself a perfect spot to unwind.
Round-up
When it comes to garden buildings, your best options are summer houses and log cabins with T&G cladding, thicker walls, and insulated panels. And if you want to extend this level of peace even when you’re out in the open, adding a brick wall as a fence, planting dense shrubs, and including a water feature can be a game-changer.
For garden seclusion, these “Garden Privacy Ideas – Garden Screening and Other Suggestions” will come in handy.
