Frequently Asked Questions
Answers About Bio-Stone20® Sound Barrier Walls
Whether you're planning a new data center, evaluating infrastructure improvements, or exploring sound mitigation solutions for your community, we're here to help. Below are answers to some of the most common questions about Bio-Stone20® Sound Barrier Walls.
General Questions
What are Bio-Stone20® Sound Barrier Walls?
Bio-Stone20® Sound Barrier Walls are advanced engineered composite sound barriers designed to reduce noise while providing exceptional durability, low maintenance, and long-term environmental performance. Unlike conventional sound walls, they incorporate Bio-Stone20®, a bioactive engineered ceramic surface that offers self-cleaning, antimicrobial, and pollutantreducing properties.
What makes Bio-Stone20 different from traditional concrete sound walls?
Traditional concrete noise barrier walls are designed as a physical barrier to sound that simply deflect and redirects sound. The sound is reduced but not absorbed, so it still circulates in a direct/reflex wave that can still find a path to create noise. Bio-Stone20 combines a high-performance composite structural system with an advanced bioactive exterior that absorbs sound and actually reduces the sound intensity decibels on a logarithmic scale so the reduction in noise is measurable by at least .08 decibels.
In additional to the reduction is sound, the barriers properties assist in air purification, have exceptional durability, resistance to graffiti, and are easy to maintain. The lightweight modular design simplifies transportation and installation, which saves time and money in construction and set-up. Compared to traditional systems, it can be a cost savings of up to fifty percent (50%).
Where can Bio-Stone20 Sound Barrier Walls be used?
Bio-Stone20 is suitable for a wide range of applications, including:
● Data centers
● Highways and transportation corridors
● Rail systems
● Utility and energy facilities
● Industrial campuses
● Distribution and logistics centers
● Airports
● Commercial developments
● Schools
● Parks
● Civic facilities
● Public infrastructure projects
Data Center Applications
Why are sound barriers important for data centers?
Data centers often operate continuously and rely on cooling equipment, mechanical systems, and backup generators that can generate ongoing noise. Properly designed sound barriers can help reduce the impact of that noise on nearby neighborhoods, schools, businesses, and public spaces while improving the overall appearance of the facility.
Can Bio-Stone20 help communities support new data center development?
Yes. Bio-Stone20 provides municipalities and developers with a durable, attractive solution that helps address one of the most common concerns associated with new data centers—operational noise. By incorporating thoughtful infrastructure into project planning, communities can better balance economic development with neighborhood quality of life.
Does Bio-Stone20 eliminate all noise?
No. No sound barrier can eliminate all sound. The amount of noise reduction depends on factors such as wall height, placement, terrain, distance from the source, surrounding structures, and the specific equipment generating the noise. According to geotechnical engineers that tested the sound barrier wall assembly for the Ohio Department of Transportation, our design consistently reduced noise by .08 to .1 in both lab and field tests. The engineer agreed that our design serves as an effective sound mitigation solution and meets the EPA Noise Control Act standards.
Technology & Performance
What is Bio-Stone20 made from?
Bio-Stone20 is made of natural recycled stone, blended with an advanced engineered ceramic composite that consists of proprietary ingredients to formulate the final product. The interior of the panels are supported with honeycomb aluminum, and an addition absorption barrier, to retard the reflex of a galvanized steel core.
What is bioactive technology?
Bioactive technology refers to the specialized surface treatment incorporated into Bio-Stone20 that supports a self-cleaning architectural surface. The self-cleaning material can include antimicrobial, and pollutant-reducing properties that contribute to healthier public environments while reducing long-term maintenance.
Is the material waterproof?
Bio-Stone20 features extremely low water absorption and incorporates an integrated moisture barrier within the panel assembly to help protect the structural system from water intrusion and environmental exposure.
Is the wall resistant to graffiti?
Yes. The Bio-Stone20 surface is engineered to resist staining and simplify graffiti removal, helping maintain a cleaner appearance throughout the life of the installation.
How durable is the system?
Bio-Stone20 Sound Barrier Walls are engineered for demanding infrastructure applications and are designed to withstand harsh weather, moisture, UV exposure, impact, and heavy public use while maintaining long-term structural performance.
How much wind can the system withstand?
The engineered composite system is designed to withstand straight-line wind speeds exceeding 100 mph when installed in accordance with project engineering requirements.
Installation
How are the walls installed?
Bio-Stone20 panels may be prefabricated in a controlled manufacturing environment and lifted into place by crane, or assembled on-site depending on project requirements, terrain, and accessibility.
Can the system be installed on challenging terrain?
Yes. The modular panel design and structural post options provide flexibility for a wide variety of site conditions. Project-specific engineering determines the most appropriate installation approach.
Are the walls customizable?
Yes. Bio-Stone20 can be manufactured in a wide variety of colors, textures, and natural stone appearances to complement surrounding architecture, landscaping, or municipal design standards.
Sustainability
Is Bio-Stone20 environmentally friendly?
Bio-Stone20 incorporates recycled stone materials that help reduce waste while providing exceptional long-term durability. Its extended service life, low maintenance requirements, and bioactive surface technology support sustainable infrastructure objectives.
Does the material improve air quality?
Bio-Stone20 incorporates bioactive technology designed to help reduce certain pollutants on its surface and contribute to cleaner surrounding environments. Specific environmental performance will vary based on installation conditions and environmental factors.
Does the self-cleaning surface require chemicals?
The bioactive surface is designed to reduce the accumulation of dirt and organic material over time, helping maintain a cleaner appearance while reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
Municipalities & Public Projects
Why are municipalities choosing Bio-Stone20?
Municipalities are increasingly seeking infrastructure solutions that balance performance, sustainability, aesthetics, and long-term value. Bio-Stone20 helps address community concerns about noise while providing an attractive, durable solution that supports responsible development.
Can Bio-Stone20 support public sustainability initiatives?
Yes. The product's recycled material composition, long service life, low maintenance requirements, and bioactive technology make it well suited for projects focused on sustainable infrastructure and lifecycle value.
Does Gray Guy Group provide specification support?
Absolutely. Gray Guy Group partners with municipalities, engineers, architects, developers, and contractors throughout the design and construction process by providing technical information, specification assistance, installation guidance, and best-practice recommendations.
Maintenance
How much maintenance is required?
Bio-Stone20 is designed for low-maintenance performance. Its durable, self-cleaning exterior helps reduce routine upkeep compared to many conventional wall systems, while its resistance to weather, moisture, and graffiti contributes to lower lifecycle maintenance requirements.
Can individual panels be replaced if damaged?
Yes. The modular design allows individual sections to be replaced if necessary, minimizing disruption and reducing repair costs compared to replacing an entire wall.
Gray Guy Group
Gray Guy Group is the exclusive North America manufacturer of advanced sintered stone technologies, bringing one of Europe's most innovative infrastructure materials to municipalities, engineers, architects, contractors, and developers throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Founded in 2004, Gray Guy Group is a minority-owned, veteran-owned business committed to advancing the future of construction through innovative materials and infrastructure solutions. Our mission is to help build safer, stronger, and more sustainable communities by delivering products engineered for exceptional performance and lasting value.
Beyond supplying materials, we partner with architects and project teams to meet or improve specification and assist with installation and best practices to install.