On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:38:00 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
wrote:

They are redoing the highway near my house, and running a few miles of
board-on-board fencing along the back of the yards that back up to the
highway.

Basically, this stuff:

http://www.outdoorstyle.ca/images/fe...oard-fence.jpg

I noticed that in some sections they alternated the boards like in the
picture so that you can't see through the fence, but other sections
have the boards directly opposite each other so the fence is open
between the uprights.
-snip-
Can you think of any reason why they did this? Bad workmanship comes
to mind, since I can't think of why they would want to leave the fence
open to the highway noise. I know if I lived in those houses I'd have
them "close" the fence for more privacy, less noise.

Maybe they are going to do some real-world testing?

My gut says there will be negligible difference between the two as far
as noise abatement. The open one has some advantages if you're in
snow country. [and it would be cheaper, if I'm picturing it right.]

Get a decibel meter and walk along each side some day during rush hour
and tell us how much quieter is on the house side, vs. the road
side--- and if either style makes a noticeable difference.

Jim