Dispelling the Myth – The Truth About Noise Levels with Metal Roofs

Metal roofs have become increasingly popular for residential and commercial buildings. This is primarily because of their energy efficiency, longevity, ease of maintenance, and durability. However, atop all these benefits, most homeowners are concerned whether metal roofs get noisy when there’s rain and hailstorm.

It might seem like a non-issue to those with a comprehensive understanding of metal roofing. But it’s a valid concern for homeowners considering that metal roof has an estimated lifespan of 50 years. No one wants to investing in a new roof and grapple with loud noise when it rains for years to come. Keep reading if you want to understand whether metal roofs are noisy.

So, Will A Metal Roof Get Noisy When It Hals or Rains?

If you are worried that your metal roof will be noisy when it rains, the truth is that it will. However, the noise level will depend on how the metal roofing is installed. In the past, older metal roofs were directly installed over rafters and kept in position by fasteners. When hit by hails or heavy rains, the metal roofing rattled and produced a lot of noise.

Luckily, gone are the days when metal roofs were installed this way. Today, metal roofers utilize an updated roofing technique that involves adding a deck or substrate beneath the metal roof to dampen and absorb the noise.

However, no matter what you do, a metal roof will always be noisy when it rains or hails. Even after installing a wood deck or any other substrate, it’s impossible to completely drown out the noise during a thunderstorm. But the noise will not be as loud as in a building with a metal roof installed without insulation or decking.

Are Metal Roofs Nosier than Asphalt Roofs?

The noise level is measured in decibels, with zero being total silence. The following findings were from the Acoustic Group at the University of Luleå, Sweden on noise produced by rain on metal and asphalt roofs.

· Metal roofs with open frames produce approximately 61 decibels

· Metal roofs with decking produce a noise of 52 decibels when it rains

· Asphalt shingles produce 46 decibels.

Therefore, the difference between the two roofs in terms of noise is 6 to 15 decibels. And since it has been proven that humans can’t distinguish noises below 5-8 decibels apart, it would be difficult for them to note the difference between the noise made by metal roofs and asphalt roofs when it rains.

So, will a metal roof be noisier than a shingle roof? The answer is no. However, this will depend on whether the metal roof has proper decking and insulation. Therefore, if you are trying to choose between asphalt and metal roofing, noise shouldn’t be a deciding factor since both produce noise within the same range.

Final Verdict

Although metal roofs are typically noisier than other types of roofing materials, there are certain things that you can do to lower the noise levels. Adding insulation and decking can help dampen the noise to lower noise levels. But remember, it’s impossible to block out the noise entirely.

For a more quietter space, you’ll need to hire a qualified metal roofer like Garvin Metal Roofs in Pennsylvania who understands how to install decking, underlayment, and insulation beneath the metal roof to drown the noise. However, if you want to relive the fun memories of the rattling sound of a hailstorm in a grandpa’s shed, you can ask your roofer to install metal panels over open framing.e