How to Reduce Noise From a Pickleball Court

If you are building a new court, placement is your most powerful noise-control tool. Sound drops by roughly 6 dB every time you double the distance from the source. We recommend placing pickleball courts 500 feet or more from residential properties whenever possible.

We frequently hear complaints from residents within 250 feet of a court, but far fewer from those 500 feet away. Sounds below 50 decibels are often masked by normal neighborhood background noise. If the court already exists, move on to the next step.

A good soundproof fence can reduce pickleball noise by 8–10 dB, while a full enclosure can achieve reductions of 12 dB or more. Height is critical. For best results, the barrier should be at least 1.5× taller than the noise source, with 2× being ideal. For pickleball courts, this typically means 8 feet or taller.

Coverage must be complete. Any gaps allow sound to pass through or around the barrier. At minimum, a three-sided barrier is required, though a full enclosure performs best. Placing the barrier as close to the court as possible improves effectiveness and reduces material requirements.

Density is non-negotiable. Chain-link fences alone block almost no sound. Effective barriers must be airtight and dense, which is why materials with an STC rating are essential. The STC rating indicates how much sound a material blocks based on lab testing. Time to pick the right material for you:

Outdoor Soundproof Blankets

Quiet Quilt Outdoor Soundproof Blankets are a flexible, weather-resistant option ideal for temporary installs or lighter fence structures. It absorbs and blocks sound while remaining easy to remove or reposition.

Outdoor-Stable Reinforced Mass Loaded Vinyl

Luxury Liner™ Reinforced Mass Loaded Vinyl is a heavy-duty sound barrier designed for permanent outdoor installations where maximum durability and noise reduction are required.

White Mass Loaded Vinyl

Luxury Liner™ White Mass Loaded Vinyl is a dense, outdoor-rated barrier with a lighter appearance, often preferred when aesthetics matter near residential areas.

Softer paddles and balls generate less high-frequency impact noise and reduce the sharp “pop” sound that carries the farthest. While this won’t solve noise issues on its own, it can meaningfully reduce overall sound levels.