How do you stop metal roof noise problems?
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How to reduce the rain noise from a metal roof?
Igal H
Nov. 24, 2020Last updated: Dec. 1, 2020
Hi, I'd like a metal roof because I would like to collect rain water, but the prospect of feeling like a commando unit is attacking me with machine guns everytime there's rain or hail is not very appealing. Any idea on how to reduce this noise?
Also, what should I specify to my builders about the roof to get the best quality?
Thanks
Is this a new or home or existing and you’re just replacing the roof covering?
If you insulate properly against heat loss, that can do your soundproofing for you at the same as long as you use fibrous insulation. Spray foam and EXP or EPS foam will not do much to dampen sound but things like cellulose, rock wool or even fibre glass will held dampen the transmission of sound. Here are two pages that will help –
Choosing insulation for heat loss and soundproofing
Understanding sound transmission in homes
The short story is that cavity insulation is the way to do it, there aren’t a lot of affordable ways to do it from the outside since most solutions are insulation based, and in most cases you'd not be getting any insulation value from it if there is an air space below. The air space is essential with an acoustic material in order to have any effect on reducing sound transmission. All that to say that adding rigid board below the tin wouldn’t do much for sound, and nothing at all to insulate against heat loss.
And from a quality of life perspective, I've lived with metal roofs and I rather enjoy that sound, but perhaps that is an aquired taste. Mind you that wasn't living in a rain forest, so it also depends I guess on the intensity and frequency. Not to mention that the decibels produced will also be affected by the pitch of the roof, the steeper the pitch the less noise you would hear.