Frequently asked questions

A Noistop acoustic fence sits between the noise source — a road, machinery, or neighbours — and the space you want to protect from unwanted sound, like a garden or terrace. When sound hits the fence, most of it is absorbed by the dense stone wool core. What isn't absorbed is significantly reduced as it passes through. The result is a noticeably quieter space on the other side.

As a guideline, Noistop fences reduce noise by 18–22 dB, depending on the product, height, and your specific situation. To put that in perspective: a reduction of 10 dB is perceived as roughly halving the loudness. The actual result depends on fence height, placement, and the type of noise source.

Noistop fences work against a wide range of outdoor noise: road and traffic noise, industrial machinery, ventilation systems, pumps, and noise from recreational or residential areas. They're used in gardens, school grounds, commercial sites, hospitality venues, and industrial locations.

Watch the video below to hear real before-and-after comparisons across different noise sources:

You can also browse more examples on our YouTube channel.

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To experience a Noistop fence in person — many dealers in our network have outdoor showroom installations, and ROCKWOOL's headquarters in Denmark has several fences across different application areas.

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Contact us to find your nearest dealer.

Most fences reflect noise — bouncing sound back rather than reducing it. Noistop panels absorb it. The core is dense ROCKWOOL stone wool, which captures and reduces sound rather than deflecting it. Combined with a robust steel frame, it handles outdoor conditions — water, UV, temperature changes — without maintenance or performance loss.

Choosing the right acoustic fence comes down to three things:

1. Acoustic requirements
2. Appearance
3. Installation conditions.

Noistop Essential is a compact steel-framed panel that can take timber cladding. Noistop Steel is built for demanding conditions and taller heights. Noistop Wood has a natural timber appearance with the same acoustic core.

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See our product pages for a full comparison, or contact us for a recommendation tailored to your project.

Yes. Noistop fences are built for permanent outdoor use. The stone wool core resists water, UV light, mould and mildew, and the galvanised steel frame ensures a long service life. Performance stays consistent throughout the product's lifetime — there's no degradation over time.

Yes. The stone wool in a Noistop fence is highly compressed and doesn't settle or degrade. Unlike some materials that lose density with age, the Noistop core stays compact and performs the same on day one as it does 20 years later.

Noistop fences last 30 years or more and are essentially maintenance-free. The stone wool core is water, mould and UV resistant, and the steel frame is galvanised for long-term durability. If you have timber-clad panels, treat the wood with protection paint periodically — but the acoustic core itself needs no maintenance.

Noise barriers work best when the fence height is matched to the specific situation. As a general recommendation, we suggest a minimum height of 180 cm, but it depends on the task the fence needs to solve.

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For sports facilities or very large, noisy machinery and installations, fence heights of up to 3–4 meters may be necessary when the fence must capture and reduce sound waves and prevent them from travelling into the surrounding area.

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In residential areas in most countries, the maximum allowed fence height is 180cm. We recommend consulting your local authorities to confirm whether a building permit is required and whether your project height complies with local regulations.

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As a rule: the closer to the noise source, the better. A fence near the source stops sound before it spreads. If that's not possible, move it as close as you can to the area you want to protect — a terrace or garden seating area.

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Placement also depends on the height difference between e.g. the road and your property:‍

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Road at the same level or higher than your property:

Place the fence as close to the road as possible. If access is limited, bringing it closer to your terrace is the next best option.

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Road lower than your property:

Don't place the fence at road level. Sound travels upward, so a fence down at the road won't intercept it effectively. Position the fence on the slope between the road and your property instead, where it can actually block the sound path.

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The 50-metre rule — if the noise source is more than 50 metres away, a fence becomes impractical. The height required grows significantly, and at that distance wind and weather start affecting how sound travels, making the result unpredictable regardless of fence height.

Yes. Noistop fences can be mounted on rooftops to shield terraces and outdoor spaces from machinery such as ventilation systems and pumps. At the Kronløbsøen development in Copenhagen, Noistop Steel panels were installed on rooftops to protect residents' terrace areas from HVAC noise.

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Read the full case study to see how it was done.

Noistop is a modular system that installs in three steps:

1. ‍Setting the posts: Steel posts are positioned first, either set into the ground or mounted on base plates.
2. Slotting in the panels: Noistop panels slide between the posts and are secured through pre-drilled mounting points.
3. Adding the finishing elements: Depending on the product, sealing strips, top elements or timber cladding are fitted last.

Download our installation guide for full details and product-specific instructions.

For base plate installations, we recommend foundations down to frost-safe soil, galvanised threaded rods and chemical anchoring solutions. However, the customer or installer remains responsible for making sure that the design, foundations and anchorage are suitable for the specific project, local wind forces and soil conditions.

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If there is any doubt about sizing or suitability, we recommend consulting a qualified engineer or building professional before starting any work. Our recommended dimensions and materials are offered as general guidance only.

The Noistop range includes a full set of accessories: doors, double gates, rooftop elements, adjustment profiles, joint strips and timber cladding options. These make it easy to adapt your Noistop fence to a specific layout, add access points, or achieve a particular visual finish.

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Speak to your dealer or contact us to find out what's available for your chosen product.

We offer guidance, standard sizing recommendations and installation documentation for Noistop fences. For straightforward projects, our installation guide and product specifications cover most of what you need. For more complex situations — unusual heights, challenging ground conditions, or large-scale installations — we recommend involving a qualified installer or structural engineer.

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Contact us and we'll help point you in the right direction.

Yes. Noistop panels come in a range of heights and widths, with steel frames available in galvanised or powder-coated finishes in a variety of colours. Timber cladding options are also available for a more natural look.

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Visit our product pages for the full range, or contact us to discuss the right finish for your project.

Yes. Noistop panels with galvanised or powder-coated steel frames accept custom timber cladding, fixed with self-tapping screws. To maintain acoustic performance, keep at least 50% of the Noistop fence surface open so sound can still reach the stone wool. We have examples of custom cladding solutions in our image archive — contact us if you'd like to see them.

Yes — and it looks great. Climbing plants can be planted along a Noistop fence and will cover the panels over time without affecting acoustic performance. The stone wool continues to absorb sound even when fully covered. It's a simple way to turn your Noistop fence into a living, seasonal feature in your garden or landscape.

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For plant suggestions and how to get started, see our Noistop planting guide.

Yes. The stone wool in Noistop fences is classified A1 non-combustible under EN 13501-1 — the highest possible fire classification. It won't ignite, and acts as a passive fire barrier that slows the spread of heat. This makes Noistop fences a strong choice for enclosures around electrical equipment such as EV charging points, pumps, ventilation systems and battery storage installations.