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Contrary to popular belief, metal roofs are not loud.
Chances are, you might have heard that metal roofs are loud from a friend.
The truth is, the sound metal roofs emit isn’t noisy at all, even in the rain.
You might have a ton of questions racing through your head.
To help clear away those doubts, we’ll give you a detailed explanation of why metal roofing isn’t loud.
Debunking the Myth of a Noisy Metal Roof
Most homeowners love how long metal roofs last, but they worry about a metal roof being noisy in the rain.
While it’s fine to worry, it’s also important to inform yourself of the noise level and structure behind metal roofing.
The reputation of metal roofs being loud is mostly attributed to traditional roofing systems found mostly in barns or sheds.
Back then, metal roofing installed in a barn house involved directly installing it over the roof rafters and fastened with exposed fasteners.
This type of installation contributed to the rattling noise people would hear in the rain.
Flash forward today, you won’t find outdated concepts like this being used to install a metal roof.
Now, if you’re still curious to know how exactly a metal roof can dampen the sound coming from rain, hail, or wind-driven element, the next section below provides a more detailed explanation.
The Truth About Metal Roofs
The reason why metal roofs aren’t loud as one would expect them to be is due to the roofing materials, layers, and installation type.
During the roof installation process, a roof deck is laid down first. Usually, the deck material is made of OSB or plywood.
After installing the deck in your home, a layer of underlayment is installed. Your underlayment serves as a waterproof barrier placed in between the roof deck and metal panels.
Additionally, a layer of underlayment helps insulate the noise and sound of rain.
In some cases, homeowners will want a third layer of insulation, commonly found in a home with an attic space installed.
Combine all these layers, and you have effective insulated roofing materials that can absorb the noise or sound coming from the rain.
Metal Panels Vs. Asphalt Shingle Roofs
Another common concern we hear often is how metal roofing compares to an asphalt shingle roof.
Asphalt shingles are a long-standing choice for many people when building their home, which begs the question: are metal roofs better at dampening sounds than asphalt shingles?
Here’s what we know:
- Asphalt – 46 decibels
- Metal roof installed over solid deck – 52 decibels
- Metal roof installed over an open-frame – 61 decibels
The difference in noise levels between an asphalt and metal roof is around 6 to 15 decibels, depending on the type of installation.
Before you start jumping to conclusions, it’s worth noting that the decibel rating of an average conversation is 60 decibels.
A garbage disposal is even louder with a decibel rating of 80!
Still think metal roofs are noisy in the rain?
If you’re serious about dampening the noise in your roof during a rainstorm or against other weathering elements, make sure to:
- Install the roof over a solid deck
- Use high-quality underlayment
- Install an attic airspace with good insulation.
Now that we’ve debunked the myth surrounding metal roofs, the question left to ask is: should you install a metal roof?
Are Metal Roofs a Good Option?
Every roof type has its pros and cons.
Even though asphalt shingles are the cheapest options, homeowners still face issues down the line.
That said, here are a few benefits worth noting about metal roofs:
Longer Lifespan
A metal roof will last you between 40 to 70 years, depending on how well it’s maintained over the years.
Metal roofs are also less prone to leaks and less vulnerable to weathering elements like hail, storms, etc.
Save on Costs
Metal roofs have better insulating properties, allowing it to reflect the sun’s heat during summer and provide better cooling temperatures indoors.
In effect, homeowners can save on heating and cooling costs as much as 25%.
Enhanced durability
Asphalt shingles are susceptible to water leaks caused by a storm, hail, lightning, strong winds, and extreme temperatures.
On the other hand, metal roofs can tolerate winds up to 150 miles per hour.
Better Investment
Since metal roofs will last longer and provide better protection from weathering elements long-term wise, it’s no doubt that investing in one provides a higher return of value for your money.
Conclusion
We hope this article was able to answer your questions!
If you’re still worried and have more concerns, feel free to leave them in the comments section below!
