Outdoor view of a noise barrier wall system surrounding industrial HVAC or generator units, designed for environmental sound control.
Noise barriers

Engineered Noise Barriers
Built for Performance, Safety, and Compliance

Memtech designs and installs high-durability barrier systems (lightweight PVC or heavy-duty modular panels) that block noise, enhance safety, and comply with regulations.
Collage of five images showing metal and panel structures including a tall sound barrier wall with a door and multiple side views of a metal enclosure around building ventilation or mechanical equipment.

Barrier Systems Engineered for Optimum Results

Noise barrier walls are commonly used to block plant noise from residential or other commercial areas, and in some instances, are the only viable way to meet community noise standards.

Memtech Acoustics specializes in the engineering and construction of noise barrier walls for virtually any application. These walls are aesthetically pleasing and are available in numerous size and height configurations. Using acoustic modeling we can accurately determine the optimum locations and dimensions of these walls to assure that your noise goals are met within budgetary requirements.

For plants with extremely high noise levels, or who are dealing with stringent noise standards, angled tops or ‘splays’ can be added to these walls to further enhance performance. The height, angle and positioning of the splays is dependent on the desired noise attenuation goal and frequency content of the source noise.
Our barrier systems are trusted by general contractors, industrial engineers, safety officers, and hygienists for:
  • Rooftop HVAC and generator enclosures
  • Perimeter walls for machinery, railways, or roadside facilities
  • Noise mitigation around loading docks and manufacturing areas
  • Mechanical equipment barriers on industrial campus rooftops
  • Urban transit noise walls and infrastructure protection

Solutions Tailored to Noise Profiles and Site Constraints

Close-up of a large outdoor acoustic barrier wall with perforated panels designed for highway or industrial noise control.
Noise barriers

Lightweight Absorptive PVC (Post and Panel) Barrier

Tongue‑and‑groove PVC panels with mineral‑wool cores deliver NRC up to ~0.95 and STC ~32; heavier variants reach STC ~39. Excellent for rooftops and mechanical equipment barriers where weight and ease of installation matter; available in extended 16 ft panel lengths to reduce posts and footings.
Performance & Design Characteristics:
  • Engineered for maximum mitigation of road, rail, manufacturing, industrial or commercial noise
  • Perforated panels with acoustical mineral wool fill absorb unwanted noise
  • Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating up to 39
  • Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating of 0.95
  • Available in panel lengths of up to 16′ (4.9 m)
Illustration of how sound waves are deflected by an acoustic barrier wall near residential housing.
Noise barriers

Lightweight Reflective PVC (Post‑and‑Panel)

High‑durability reflective PVC designed to block/redirect sound with STC ~31; enhanced versions test to STC ~36 and are also available in 16 ft spans for efficient installations along tight corridors or structure‑mounted runs.
Performance & Design Characteristics:
  • PVC Systems is impervious to rain, snow and ice, unaffected by de-icing salts
  • Wind load tested for hurricane-force winds
  • Graffiti and tagging resistant
  • Designed to meet applicable design codes (AASHTO, IBC, CSA)
  • Made from recycled and recyclable PVC. Earn LEED Points for Green Building
Installation of a highway noise barrier wall with concrete base and vertical support beams.
Noise Barriers

Precast Absorptive Walls

Engineered wood-fiber cement panels installed in a post-and-panel system, delivering NRC values of 0.70–0.90 and STC ratings up to 46. Features include 2-hour fire resistance, long service life, and wide post spacing (12–24 ft centers) for tall, continuous runs. An ideal choice when durability, aesthetics, and code compliance are critical.

Absorptive performance is achieved through a porous or textured concrete face, engineered to remain effective over time without reliance on exposed fibrous materials.
Performance & Design Characteristics:
  • High transmission loss through dense, high-mass construction
  • Broadband sound absorption on the noise-facing side
  • Reduced reflected noise compared to reflective barriers
  • Resistance to weather, moisture, freeze-thaw, and impact
  • Architectural finish options to integrate with surroundings
Urban noise barrier panels installed along an elevated railway to reduce sound transmission to nearby areas.
Noise barriers

Transparent Acrylic/Poly Systems

UV‑stable, high‑clarity panels for excellent visibility and maintaining daylight internally while controlling noise; offered as drop‑in “ready‑fit” modules, with optional bird‑safe striping and bridge/rail accessories. Often paired as windows with opaque walls to open views without sacrificing height. Some systems carry extended warranties for outdoor use.
Performance & Design Characteristics:
  • Transparent panels maintain clear sightlines and daylight while delivering measurable noise control
  • Acrylic and polycarbonate systems offer high strength-to-weight performance, suitable for demanding outdoor environments
  • Materials are designed for long-term exterior exposure, resisting yellowing, embrittlement, and degradation over time
  • Panel thickness and dimensions are selected based on required noise reduction, wind loads, and structural constraints
Tall outdoor acoustic barrier wall with a textured finish, surrounded by landscaped greenery for visual and environmental integration.
Noise Barriers

Crash‑Tested, Rigid-Framed Aluminum

Lightweight, mineral‑wool‑filled aluminum panels available in absorptive or reflective configurations and validated to MASH TL‑4 criteria (truck impact at 58 mph).

These barriers combine high-mass noise wall construction with crash-rated structural support systems, allowing them to safely withstand vehicle impacts without catastrophic failure. In addition to controlling traffic noise, they are designed to protect motorists, maintenance personnel, and adjacent communities.
Performance & Design Characteristics:
  • Permanent, low-maintenance systems suitable for long-term infrastructure use
  • Available in single or doubled-sided absorptive, and noise reflective options
  • Built with perforations and a sound absorbing mineral wool interior
  • Durable materials resistant to weather, freeze-thaw, and environmental exposure
Large industrial acoustic enclosure with high-gloss blue sound curtain panels used to contain noise in a factory environment.
Noise barriers

Modular Interior/Exterior Industrial Partitions

Modular noise barrier wall systems provide flexible, high-performance noise mitigation for industrial, commercial, and environmental applications where permanent construction may not be practical or required. These systems utilize panelized barrier elements mounted within engineered framing, allowing barriers to be configured, expanded, relocated, or removed as site conditions change.

Unlike monolithic concrete walls, modular barrier systems offer faster installation, reduced foundation requirements, and adaptable layouts. Panels may incorporate reflective, absorptive, or composite constructions depending on noise source characteristics and site constraints.
Performance & Design Characteristics:
  • Available with absorptive or reflective faces based on noise control strategy
  • Compatible with steel framing and support systems
  • Applicable for permanent or semi-permanent installations
Transparent outdoor acoustic barrier with clear panels mounted on a concrete base, blending into landscaped surroundings for effective noise control.
Noise Barriers

Hybrid & Integrated Systems

Combine transparent sections for natural daylight with precast or PVC panels where added mass is required. Retaining walls, traffic barriers, and access portals, such as man-doors and gates, can be seamlessly integrated, delivering a clean, integrated solution.
  • Materials work with standard precast concrete wall (CMU) blocks
  • Adds attractive transparent panels to masonry block noise barrier walls
  • Easy to install system improves the appearance and practicality while reducing overall installation time and project cost
Decorative concrete sound barrier wall along a sidewalk, featuring patterned inlays for visual appeal and effective urban noise control.
Noise barriers

Precast Concrete Modular Systems

Dense, resilient wall panels, with an STC rating of approximately 41–44, engineered for privacy, noise mitigation, and long-term durability. Ideal for roadsides, property perimeters, and industrial sites.

Manufactured with a dry-cast, tongue-and-groove design, optimized for installation efficiency, high freeze-thaw resilience, and minimal maintenance resulting in faster installation than poured-in-place walls.

Supports heights up to 30 feet, with multiple textured finishes (Offset Block, Vertex, Smooth) and color options (Natural Gray, Mesa Buff, Coral Rose) for aesthetic integration.
Gray sound wall panels with vertical white supports, featuring a yellow double-headed arrow labeled 'LENGTHS UP TO 16'' between two support posts.
Noise Barriers

Construction Benefits

Our noise barrier features and benefits quickly stack up to make them the go-to choice over other noise barrier walls.
  • Tongue and groove panels stack within steel posts
  • Engineered for maximum mitigation of road, rail, manufacturing, industrial or commercial noise
  • Adds a sound-absorbing backer board behind the mineral wool batt for a heavier absorptive panel with higher sound mitigation properties
  • Smaller foundations mean lower foundation costs
  • XL Series offers panel lengths of up to 16′ (4.9 m) which means fewer panels, posts and foundations
  • Impervious to rain, snow and ice, unaffected by de-icing salts

Technical Highlights

Download the full spec sheet below.

Sound Transmission Class (STC)

Up to 46 dB depending on system configuration and environment

Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)

Varies between ~0.70–0.95 for absorptive systems

Maximum Panel Span

Up to 16 ft (material-dependent)

Height Capability

Up to 30 ft (depending on design and load conditions)

Fire Rating: Class A (ASTM E84)

Up to 2-hour fire-resistance (select precast systems) per ASTM E119

Weather Resistance

UV-stable, freeze–thaw rated, corrosion-protected

Service Life Expectancy

20–40+ years based on material selection and environment

Applications

Where noise barriers are most commonly used.
Rooftop-mounted acoustic barrier walls enclosing mechanical HVAC units, minimizing noise pollution for surrounding buildings.

Rooftop Mechanical Enclosures

HVAC units, chillers, cooling towers, and air-handling equipment
Outdoor view of a noise barrier wall system surrounding industrial HVAC or generator units, designed for environmental sound control.

Generators & Compressors

Isolating noise from stand-by or continuous-duty power system stations.
Transparent outdoor acoustic barrier with clear panels mounted on a concrete base, blending into landscaped surroundings for effective noise control.

Community Noise Control

Reducing noise from traffic, industrial, utility, or energy operations
Combination sound barrier wall with concrete base and transparent upper panels designed for highway or transportation noise control.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Highway, rail, and transit corridor noise abatement
Tall outdoor acoustic barrier wall with a textured finish, surrounded by landscaped greenery for visual and environmental integration.

Perimeter Industrial Barriers

Manufacturing plants, processing facilities, and distribution centers.
Large industrial acoustic enclosure with high-gloss blue sound curtain panels used to contain noise in a factory environment.

Loading Docks & Shipping Areas

Containing truck, forklift, and material-handling noise.
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Why Choose Memtech Acoustics

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Certified and Licensed Professionals
Every project is guided by acoustical engineering expertise, not guesswork.
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National Standards Alignment
Our products follow IBC, ASTM E90 / ASTM E413 / ASTM C423, NFPA 80 & NFPA 285, and AASHTO Design Guide Specifications.
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Turnkey, Full-Service Delivery
One partner for assessment, engineering, sourcing, and installation* from concept to compliance.
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High Responsiveness, Proven Reliability
Fast mobilization, accurate timelines, and dependable project execution.
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Trusted Local Partner, On-Demand Support
Michigan-based with regional reach and national shipping capabilities.
*Shipping available across the continental USA; installations are offered in select regions.

Documentation & Resources

CAD drawings included with custom orders
LEED documentation available upon request
Downloadable installation instructions and specifications
Modern open office with blue acoustic ceiling baffles designed to absorb sound and reduce workplace noise.

Let's Get Started. Contact Us.

Talk to our experts. We’ll assess your needs and recommend a solution that works for your project.