Why SimTek Sound Barrier Fences Are the Best Choice for Your Home

Is peace and quiet really too much to ask for? You come home after a long commute on I-15 or Bangerter Highway, ready to relax, but the world outside just won’t turn down the volume. Maybe it’s the constant hum of traffic, a neighbor who recently discovered a love for leaf blowing, or just the general buzz of living along the Wasatch Front. If you are looking for a way to turn your backyard into an actual sanctuary, you’ve probably looked at cedar or Vinyl fences. They’re fine. They do the job of marking property lines. But if you want something that actually shuts the world out, we need to talk about Simtek.

So, What Exactly is SimTek Fencing?

You might have seen these around Salt Lake or Davis County and mistaken them for rock walls. That’s actually the point. SimTek (often referred to under the product lines EcoStone or Ashland) is a composite fencing material made from a specific type of plastic called Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE).

Now, I know “plastic” sounds a bit cheap, like a patio chair that snaps after two summers in the Utah sun. But this isn’t that. Think about the material used for heavy-duty playground equipment or those indestructible kayaks. That is what we are dealing with here. It’s engineered to look like natural stone or Wood, but it has the durability of a tank.

Honestly, it’s becoming the go-to for homeowners who are tired of replacing fence pickets every time a windstorm rolls through.

The “Sound Wall” Effect: Why Your Ears Will Thank You

Here is the thing about standard wood fencing: it has gaps. Even board-on-board styles eventually warp, creating little highways for sound to travel through. Sound behaves a lot like water; if there is a hole, it’s going to leak through.

SimTek acts differently. Because it is molded as a solid unit with a high density, it functions as a sound barrier.

We aren’t saying it puts your yard in a vacuum—physics doesn’t work that way—but it can reduce direct noise by a significant decibel count. Manufacturers often cite a reduction of sound energy by up to 90% (depending on the frequency). In practical terms? It changes the loud whoosh of a passing car into a dull, distant hum.

If you live near a busy street or a commercial zone in Utah County, this difference is massive. It changes your backyard from a place you look at to a place you actually live in.

Let’s Talk About the Utah Wind

We all know the drill. You’re in Centerville or Farmington, or maybe out in Daybreak, and the wind starts howling. The next morning, you drive around the neighborhood and see white Vinyl Fence panels scattered like playing cards. It’s a seasonal tradition at this point.

This is where SimTek really shines.

These fences are rated for serious wind loads. Because the panels are rigid but have just a tiny bit of give thanks to that polyethylene construction, they don’t snap. Most SimTek panels are rated to withstand winds up to 110 mph, and with specific Installation techniques, they can handle even higher gusts.

When we install these at Utah Fencing Company, we sink the posts deep. The steel reinforcement inside the panels ensures that when the canyon winds pick up, your fence stays vertical.

It Looks Like Stone, But It Doesn’t Crumble

Masonry walls are beautiful. They have that estate-like feel. But have you ever tried to get a quote for a real rock wall? It’s astronomical. And then there is the maintenance. Utah’s freeze-thaw cycle is brutal on Concrete and mortar. Water gets in a tiny crack, freezes, expands, and suddenly your expensive wall has a fissure running down the middle.

SimTek mimics the texture of granite stone so well that you usually have to touch it to realize it’s synthetic.

Because the color is molded right into the material, you never have to paint it. You never have to re-grout it. It doesn’t chip. It’s UV stabilized, meaning that scorching high-altitude sun won’t bleach the color out in a few years. It just stays looking like rock, year after year.

The “Kid and Car” Durability Test

Let’s be real for a second—life happens. Kids hit baseballs against fences. Teenagers (or distracted adults) might bump a fence with a lawnmower.

SimTek is incredibly impact-resistant. You could take a baseball bat to these panels (though we don’t recommend you try this for fun) and the bat would likely bounce off before the fence broke.

Another huge plus? Graffiti resistance.
If you live near a public walkway or a park, tagging can be a headache. With wood, you have to sand or paint over it. With SimTek, because the material is non-porous, you can usually wash graffiti right off with a pressure washer and a simple solvent. It doesn’t soak into the material.

How Does It Compare?

Sometimes it helps to see it laid out. Here is a quick look at how SimTek stacks up against the other materials we commonly install across Salt Lake County.

You’ll notice the price point is higher than wood or standard vinyl. That’s true. But when you factor in that you won’t be replacing it in 10 years or staining it every other summer, the value proposition starts to make a lot of sense.

Are There Any Downsides?

I believe in being transparent. If I told you a product was perfect, you shouldn’t trust me.

The main hurdle for most homeowners is the upfront cost. It is a premium product. It costs more to manufacture and the installation requires precision. The posts are heavy-duty steel, and the panels themselves are significant.

Also, unlike wood where you can easily cut a picket to a weird width if your yard has a strange angle, SimTek comes in set panel widths. This means we have to be very strategic during the layout phase to make sure everything fits symmetrically. That’s why hiring a team that knows what they’re doing—like us—is critical. You can’t just wing it with this material.

Why We Love Installing It

From an installer’s perspective, we love SimTek because we rarely get callbacks for repairs. Once we set those posts in concrete and slide the panels in, that fence is not going anywhere.

We take a lot of pride in our work at Utah Fencing Company. There is something satisfying about driving past a job we did five years ago and seeing it look exactly the same as the day we left. No leaning posts, no missing slats, no gray, rotting wood. Just a solid, beautiful perimeter.

Whether you are in a new build in Lehi or upgrading a classic home in Sugar House, the aesthetic versatility of the stone or wood-grain patterns tends to blend in with just about any architectural style.

Is SimTek Right For You?

If you are looking for the absolute cheapest way to keep a dog in the yard, this might be overkill. A simple Chain-link or basic cedar fence will do that for less money.

But, if your goals are:

• Privacy: You don’t want to see the neighbors.
• Silence: You want to dampen the street noise.
• Longevity: You want to build this fence once and never think about it again.

Then SimTek is hands down the best investment you can make for your property’s exterior. It adds curb appeal, it likely increases your home value, and it gives you that peace of mind that a stiff windstorm isn’t going to turn your weekend into a repair project.

Let’s Secure Your Sanctuary

You’ve dealt with the noise and the wind long enough. You deserve a backyard that feels like a private retreat, not a public park.

At Utah Fencing Company, we specialize in SimTek installation. We know the local soil conditions, the wind patterns, and exactly how to install these systems so they last a lifetime. We don’t cut corners, and we treat your property with the respect it deserves.

Ready to see what a sound barrier fence can do for your home?

Call us today at 801-905-8153 or click here to [Request a Free Quote]. Let’s build something that lasts.