One of the most frequent questions homeowners ask about metal roofs is will it be noisy when it rains and hails. And indeed, given the long life span of metal roofing (50+ years), it's a valid concern.
According to the Acoustic Group at the University of Lulea, Sweden, rain on asphalt shingles is about 46 dBA compared to rain on a metal roof at 52 dBA. So, what does that mean? Since most humans can’t distinguish between sounds less than eight decibels apart, the noise difference between metal and shingle roofs is undetectable.
So, the short answer is, no, they aren't any noisier than other types of roofing.
If you’ve ever been in a pole building or garage with a metal roof that didn’t have a plywood deck and insulation under it, you likely noticed the loud noise caused by rain and hail. Rain can sound like a downpour inside the building when it’s only a light shower. Without the roof deck, insulation, and underlayment, the metal panels can intensify the sound. But as soon as those building components are added, noise levels return to what could be generally expected with any other roofing material.
Some metal manufacturers have created systems allowing metal panels to be installed over the top of existing shingles. For more on our system, please check this out. In these applications, the existing shingles also serve as an additional insulator and even further reduce the noise many homeowners falsely associate with "all" metal roofing.
And, of course, increasing insulation in the attic airspace provides a double benefit for shingle and metal roofing. Adding more insulation typically saves energy and keeps the home’s interior quieter.
But on the other hand, if memories of waiting out a good storm to pass in Grandpa’s shed are something you want to relive, install metal panels directly over open framing without decking, insulation, and underlayment. You’ll be able to relive those fond memories every time it rains!
To debunk other myths about metal roofing, check out our article Residential Metal Roofing Myths.