Metal roofs offer many benefits for home and business owners. Long-lasting, durable, and environmentally friendly are all great selling points, but are metal roofs noisy in the rain? This is a common question for anyone thinking of installing a metal roof.
High-quality metal roofs can last up to 50 years, so the last thing you want is the sound of rain disturbing you and your family for years to come. Investing in a metal roof for your home requires a substantial investment, so knowing the downsides of getting a metal roof is important.
So, are metal roofs noisy in the rain? If so, what can you do to prevent the noise? And how do metal roofs compare to other roof types in the rain? Let’s find out.
Are Metal Roofs Noisy in The Rain?
Yes, metal roofs are noisy in the rain and will make an echo sound. Wind and rain combined will cause quite a bit of noise hitting off your metal roof. If you have been in a trailer when it’s raining, the sound will be similar.
How much the noise affects you will be down to you. Some people may find it relaxing, others it can be a complete nuisance. If you live in an area with low rainfall, a metal roof won’t be too much of a problem as it’s not a daily occurrence.
Many people across Canada have installed metal roofs on their properties and are quite happy with the result. Rain noise won’t be that much of an issue unless you are a light sleeper, or will find the noise annoying.
How to Reduce Noise From Rain On a Metal Roof
Reducing the noise from rain on a metal roof can be done by several methods. Completely reducing the noise to zero won’t be possible, but there are a few tricks to help.
- Solid wood – Solid decking under the metal roof will substantially reduce the noise of the rain. The wood between the metal panels will absorb some of the noise.
- Insulate loft – Insulating your loft can help reduce the sound of rain hitting your roof. The sound in your home will be reduced significantly as the insulation absorbs most of the noise.
- Use flat metal – Flat metal roofs will be much quieter when the rain hits than corrugated metal roofs. Flat metal roofs are also much easier to install and come with underlayment. Any type of underlayment will add to the strength of the roof and reduce the chance of metal becoming loose.
- Soundproof – Soundproofing your inner room could drastically decrease the sound of the rain hitting your metal roof. If your bedroom is on the upper floor, soundproofing could be the key to getting a good night’s sleep.
- Underlayment – Installing underlayment that’s not only waterproof but dense to help absorb the sound of rain and hailstones hitting your metal roof. As mentioned above, underlayment is almost always installed with flat metal roofs. Underlayment can be added with other roof types as an extra layer of protection against noise and water leaking in.
- Installed correctly – Metal roofs that aren’t installed correctly can cause a nail to come loose or some other fitting. Wind and rain will cause the loose part of the roof to move and make much more noise than just rain. Reducing the chance of this happening can be done by hiring a quality roofing company that uses only the best materials.
Metal Roofs Vs Other Roof Types For Rain Noise
Metal roofs are the loudest type of roof when it comes to rain noise. Asphalt roofs are the most popular type of roof in Canada, and the noise difference is substantial. Rain hitting metal roofs is approx. 50 decibels louder than a standard roof made of asphalt.
How loud the rain is hitting your roof is completely dependent on the material the roof is made from, the underlay, and the design of your roof. If you are worried about the noise of rain, you can always explore other options.
Can Rain Noise on Metal Roofs Be Stopped?
Rain noise on your metal roof can’t be stopped completely but can be significantly reduced by using some of the methods outlined above. Reducing the noise emitted from the rain on your metal roof may require you to spend some extra cash to do so.
Extra decking, underlay, soundproofing, or any other method will of course cost materials and labor. Spending that extra bit of money might be worth it in the long run if you think the rain noise will be a lot of bother for you and your family.
Wood fiber insulation boards are another option you could explore. Adding wood fiber between your metal roof and the decking will help reduce the sound impact of the rain. Of course, this will also add costs to the installation of your new metal roof.
Are Metal Roofs Noisy in the Rain? – Recap
Metal roofs are noisy in the rain but you can use several methods to help absorb the sound. Don’t expect to make your roof completely soundproof, but minimizing the sound is possible.
Methods you can use to help curb the sound of rain on your metal roof include using flat metal, installing soundproof material inside of your home, installing your metal roof on wooden decking, and putting high-quality underlay under the metal.
Taking rain noise into consideration before making a decision on the type of roof you would like is important. Added costs to reduce the noise of the rain on your metal roof can add up. Overall, the benefits of adding a metal roof to your property outweigh the rain noise. Other types of roofs can be installed if you are concerned about the rain noise on your metal roof.
