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/fencing/board-on-board-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.

Similar to this, but with boards on both sides:

http://www.cedarfencing.com/images/dog_eared_space_board_panel_with_post_550x300.jpg

There's a half mile or so of alternating, then some open, then some
alternating - mostly alternating.

There doesn't seem to be anything different about the locations as all
sections are along the back yards of residential houses.

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.

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:38:00 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
<t...@eznet.net> 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/fencing/board-on-board-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

On Aug 31, 12:00=A0pm, Jim Elbrecht  wrote:
> 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/fencing/board-on-board-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? =A0 =A0
>
> My gut says there will be negligible difference between the two as far
> as noise abatement. =A0 =A0 The open one has some advantages if you're in
> snow country. =A0[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- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

re: The open one has some advantages if you're in snow country

We are.

re: and it would be cheaper, if I'm picturing it right

You might not be picturing it right.

In both cases, there are boards on both sides of the rails, so the
same amount of material was used for each style.

re: Get a decibel meter and walk along each side some day during rush
hour

I'm not sure I need to do that. Why don't you think an alternating
board fence would block more sound than a open fence? Take it to the
extreme and compare a chain link fence to a solid panel. Doesn't it
make sense that the more material there is for the sound to bounce off
of, the less noise will make it into the yard?

Yes, there will be some bouncing of the sound waves within the fence,
and there will be some leakage around the slats and through the
openings, but the closer to solid you get, the less noise will make it
through. Try it on your own with a radio and few boards.

Why do they build those solid walls next to highways? Why wouldn't
they go cheaper and put up slotted walls if it makes no difference?

On Aug 31, 10:38=A0am, DerbyDad03  wrote:

>snip<

> Can you think of any reason why they did this?

My bet's on sound control. Likely the property owners that bitched
about traffic noise got the closed style fence. There is likely a
detectable difference between the two, but the complainers will be
happy thinking they got the better deal. It's all in the ear of the
beholder to borrow a phrase.

Joe

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/fencing/board-on-board-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.
>
> Similar to this, but with boards on both sides:
>
> http://www.cedarfencing.com/images/dog_eared_space_board_panel_with_post_550x300.jpg
>
> There's a half mile or so of alternating, then some open, then some
> alternating - mostly alternating.
>
> There doesn't seem to be anything different about the locations as all
> sections are along the back yards of residential houses.
>
> 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.

You COULD call your highway department. You'll probably get routed to the 
tree-removal department who will tell you it is a federal law to mark the 
right edge of a highway with a solid white line and why do you ask? 

DerbyDad03 <t...@eznet.net> wrote:

>On Aug 31, 12:00 pm, Jim Elbrecht  wrote:
-snip-
>
>re: The open one has some advantages if you're in snow country
>
>We are.
>
>re: and it would be cheaper, if I'm picturing it right
>
>You might not be picturing it right.
>
>In both cases, there are boards on both sides of the rails, so the
>same amount of material was used for each style.
>
>re: Get a decibel meter and walk along each side some day during rush
>hour
>
>I'm not sure I need to do that. Why don't you think an alternating
>board fence would block more sound than a open fence? Take it to the
>extreme and compare a chain link fence to a solid panel. Doesn't it
>make sense that the more material there is for the sound to bounce off
>of, the less noise will make it into the yard?
>
>Yes, there will be some bouncing of the sound waves within the fence,
>and there will be some leakage around the slats and through the
>openings, but the closer to solid you get, the less noise will make it
>through. Try it on your own with a radio and few boards.

I'm still not picturing the two styles, I guess.     But a radio and
my property would make a poor comparison.  [and I don't have a decibel
meter, anyway.]   

The effectiveness of an acoustic fence is affected by how far the
houses and the highway are from the fence. 
>
>Why do they build those solid walls next to highways? Why wouldn't
>they go cheaper and put up slotted walls if it makes no difference?

Why did they cut all the trees off an embankment so the entire thing
slid into the road the following spring?  Sometimes engineers make
mistakes, or are just plain ignorant.

I'm still not sure what they look like- But I'm betting the open fence
is to eliminate some snow drifts.

Jim

On Aug 31, 4:30=A0pm, Jim Elbrecht  wrote:
> DerbyDad03  wrote:
> >On Aug 31, 12:00=A0pm, Jim Elbrecht  wrote:
> -snip-
>
> >re: The open one has some advantages if you're in snow country
>
> >We are.
>
> >re: and it would be cheaper, if I'm picturing it right
>
> >You might not be picturing it right.
>
> >In both cases, there are boards on both sides of the rails, so the
> >same amount of material was used for each style.
>
> >re: Get a decibel meter and walk along each side some day during rush
> >hour
>
> >I'm not sure I need to do that. Why don't you think an alternating
> >board fence would block more sound than a open fence? Take it to the
> >extreme and compare a chain link fence to a solid panel. Doesn't it
> >make sense that the more material there is for the sound to bounce off
> >of, the less noise will make it into the yard?
>
> >Yes, there will be some bouncing of the sound waves within the fence,
> >and there will be some leakage around the slats and through the
> >openings, but the closer to solid you get, the less noise will make it
> >through. Try it on your own with a radio and few boards.
>
> I'm still not picturing the two styles, I guess. =A0 =A0 But a radio and
> my property would make a poor comparison. =A0[and I don't have a decibel
> meter, anyway.] =A0
>
> The effectiveness of an acoustic fence is affected by how far the
> houses and the highway are from the fence.
>
>
>
> >Why do they build those solid walls next to highways? Why wouldn't
> >they go cheaper and put up slotted walls if it makes no difference?
>
> Why did they cut all the trees off an embankment so the entire thing
> slid into the road the following spring? =A0Sometimes engineers make
> mistakes, or are just plain ignorant.
>
> I'm still not sure what they look like- But I'm betting the open fence
> is to eliminate some snow drifts.
>
> Jim

Jim,

I posted 2 pictures:

Board-on-Board with alternating boards so that you can not see through
the fence when looking straight at it:

Top View:

Board        Board        Board
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
        Board         Board         Board

Front View:

http://www.outdoorstyle.ca/images/fencing/board-on-board-fence.jpg

A slat board fence with openings between the slats so that you *can*
see through it when looking straight at it.

Top View:

Board        Board        Board
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Board        Board        Board

Front View

http://www.cedarfencing.com/images/dog_eared_space_board_panel_with_post_55=
0x300.jpg

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
<t...@eznet.net> wrote:

-snip-
>Board-on-Board with alternating boards so that you can not see through
>the fence when looking straight at it:
>
>Top View:
>
>Board        Board        Board
>=========================
>        Board         Board         Board

I'm guessing this would be better than a single layer of boards that
touch.     I thought this was the 'open' one you saw.

>
>Front View:
>
>http://www.outdoorstyle.ca/images/fencing/board-on-board-fence.jpg
>
>A slat board fence with openings between the slats so that you *can*
>see through it when looking straight at it.
>
>Top View:
>
>Board        Board        Board
>=====================
>Board        Board        Board
>
>Front View
>
>http://www.cedarfencing.com/images/dog_eared_space_board_panel_with_post_550x300.jpg
>
>

That just seems like a waste of lumber to me- or a mis-reading of the
plans.    

C'mon- call the highway department.    Inquisitive minds have to know.
. . 

Jim

On Aug 31, 6:34=A0pm, Jim Elbrecht  wrote:
> On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 15:00:34 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
>
>  wrote:
>
> -snip-
>
> >Board-on-Board with alternating boards so that you can not see through
> >the fence when looking straight at it:
>
> >Top View:
>
> >Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board
> >=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 Board
>
> I'm guessing this would be better than a single layer of boards that
> touch. =A0 =A0 I thought this was the 'open' one you saw.
>
>
>
>
>
> >Front View:
>
> >http://www.outdoorstyle.ca/images/fencing/board-on-board-fence.jpg
>
> >A slat board fence with openings between the slats so that you *can*
> >see through it when looking straight at it.
>
> >Top View:
>
> >Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board
> >=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
> >Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0Board
>
> >Front View
>
> >http://www.cedarfencing.com/images/dog_eared_space_board_panel_with_p...
>
> That just seems like a waste of lumber to me- or a mis-reading of the
> plans. =A0 =A0
>
> C'mon- call the highway department. =A0 =A0Inquisitive minds have to know=
.
> . .
>
> Jim

re: That just seems like a waste of lumber to me- or a mis-reading of
the plans.

Actually, it might not be a waste of lumber from an aesthetics
perspective. Nobody has a bad side, not the homeowner's and not the
highway.

The project is a "fancying up" of the last few miles of a highway that
ends at a lake. They reduced it from 2 lanes in each direction to 1,
55 mph to 40, removed the traffic lights at the 4 intersections and
put in roundabouts (The jury is still out on those since the project
isn't done yet. Only one roundabout is actually a roundabout right now
and even with that one the traffic pattern isn't permanent yet.)

New street lights, curves, a walking path, a bike path, benches, etc.
Another goal is to stop the drag racing (and associated accidents)
that used to take place on the straight stretches between the traffic
lights.

So making both sides of the fence look nice makes sense. However, to
me at least, the alternating board looks better then the open style
and just seems to make more sense.

BTW, 3 consecutive houses along the stretch with the alternating board
style actually took matching boards and filled in the gaps on their
side so they have a solid fence in their yard. I assume they did it
with their own money...or they know someone on the project very well.

On Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:38:00 -0700 (PDT), DerbyDad03
<t...@eznet.net> 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/fencing/board-on-board-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.
>
>Similar to this, but with boards on both sides:
>
>http://www.cedarfencing.com/images/dog_eared_space_board_panel_with_post_550x300.jpg
>
>There's a half mile or so of alternating, then some open, then some
>alternating - mostly alternating.
>
>There doesn't seem to be anything different about the locations as all
>sections are along the back yards of residential houses.
>
>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.

The only thing that I've thought of is that in some areas they want to
allow small creatures to be able to get thru the fence.