Emerald Arborvitae is supposed to grow to 15' at the most, so it won't serve the purpose you want. Its cousin, "Green Giant' might be the answer. It's supposed to grow to 30'.
I have 'Emerald'. It grows quite dense and fast enough for me. I need to tie the multiple trunks in winter, though, because they will bend down every which way under snow. If you can find a single trunk tree, you'll eliminate that trouble.

Dawn Redwood is deciduous. You'll lose the noise and view barrier in winter.

I don't have experience with other trees. My garden is too small for them. A small blue spruce came with the house, but I had to remove it after 15 years because it grew too large for the spot.
Good luck with your choice. I think a few different kinds of conifers might be more beautiful and interesting than just one kind. They give you different colors, shapes and textures.

Hi pitimp. You remind me of a problem I have in my yard. I have some kind of multiple trunk evergreen (could be arborvitae) in a couple of places and I see that they have suffered snow damage; one was last winter and another this winter. Is there any hope for them--should I tie them up permanently (I see maybe I should have tied them before winter) and will they still grow OK, or should I consider replacing them? It seems like if they are replaced, it should be with something a little heartier. I feel bad for these guys but it doesn't seem it was practical to plant them in the first place, whoever did.

I want to tie them permanently too, but kinda wondered if they would be constricted. I think if they are not tightly tied, they should have room to grow. I love them though. They are so pretty, especially in winter. I have 3 in my backyard at different places. I wouldn't know which conifer to grow in a small yard like mine. Others are too big. I also have a few dwarf conifers that I love to look at in winter.

I can't vouch for how fast they grow, but Norway spruce grow VERY tall and are great privacy barriers. Ours were probably planted when the house was built (50 years ago) and, until we limbed them up, the branches hung nearly to the ground. They are great for screening. They DO drop a lot of litter (cones and branches) and the roots snake along the surface. Between the shade and the root competition, you may have problems underplanting the spruce.

I have planted numerous Black Hills Spruce trees in my yard,they were about one foot tall when planted. They are now about 15 to 20 feet tall, after about 10 years.Also, I planted alot of Colorado Blue Spruce trees,one in particular was about 3 foot tall when planted, now it is close to 25 feet tall. Mary

Try this website.

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/ThujaGiantT2.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: fast growing trees

You may want to try this website as well.
The tree name is Arbor Vitae - Green Giant.
It grows in zone 5 which I believe you are in.
I live in Davis, IL which is zone 4 but I was considering getting some to provide privacy between our house and the neighbors.
Arborvitae - Green Giant Facts
Mature Height :40 to 50 feet
Mature Spread :15 to 18 feet
Mature Form :Tightly pyramidal
Growth Rate :Rapid
Sun Exposure :Full Sun - Partial Sun
Soil Moisture :Widely adaptable
Soil Type :Widely adaptable
Foliage Color :Green
Fall Color :Green
Zones :4 - 8
http://www.naturehills.com/new/product/productdetails.aspx?proname=Arborvitae+-+Green+Giant

We used eastern red cedar in Texas,zone 7,for a privacy fence it still took several years but made a great and tall complete privacy fence. We're in zone 6 now but still alot of eastern cedar around.
oakleif

The emerald green arborvitae are great but there are two problems.
Problem 1: Slow grower. They only grow 4-6" a year maximum so if you buy them small it will take a long time to get to 6 ft.
Problem 2: Dear love them. One year the dear ate everything off of them but the tree still survived.