For British Columbia communities planning smarter infrastructure, yellow cedar sound abatement panels offer a sustainable and effective approach to traffic noise reduction. Designed to meet or exceed performance requirements while complementing the surrounding landscape, they provide a natural alternative to conventional concrete or metal noise barriers.

yellow cedar noise reduction panel

Wood Properties of Yellow Cedar

  • Natural durability
    Naturally occurring tannins and extractives provide resistance to rot and decay without chemical treatment—an important consideration in environmentally sensitive areas or in residential settings.
  • Stable Performance
    Yellow cedar is dimensionally stable with low shrinkage, making it less prone to warping or distortion than many other softwoods. It is also well suited for machining and coatings using penetrating stains or paints.
  • Attractive Appearance:
    The wood has a light, uniform colour that naturally weathers to a soft driftwood grey if left unstained or unpainted.
  • Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
    Compared with concrete or steel barriers, wood products have a significantly lower carbon footprint.
  • Aesthetic Appeal
    Sustainably harvested, supporting resource-based communities across coastal British Columbia.
    Blends naturally with the landscapes of BC’s scenic corridors and municipalities.

Technical Properties

Acoustic Performance

Tested in accordance with ASTM E90-23:

  • 2″ panel thickness: STC 26 with a surface density of 36.1 kg/m²
  • 3.5″ panel thickness: STC 32 with a surface density of 50.8 kg/m²

Airborne Sound Transmission Loss

Both panel configurations exceed typical provincial noise reduction targets of 7–15 dBA, meeting or surpassing standard roadway noise mitigation requirements.

Service Life

Yellow cedar sound abatement panels typically last 25–35 years.
With periodic maintenance, service life can extend beyond 40 years.

Cost Competitiveness

  • Material costs
    Comparable to—or lower than—concrete noise barrier systems.
  • Installation
    Less mechanically intensive than concrete systems, reducing on-site construction costs and complexity.

Yellow cedar panels provide a sustainable, high-performance alternative to conventional concrete and metal sound walls.

Contact: Peter Butzelaar – Centurion Lumber
Millwork and Industrial Lumber Sales
Tel: 604-787-1557 Email: pbutzelaar@centurionlumber.com