Metal roofs are uniquely attractive, last longer than shingles, and help regulate indoor temperatures year-round. Many homeowners see these benefits and start seriously considering a metal roofing upgrade.
As professional roofers, the number one question we hear before someone commits to metal is, “Are metal roofs loud?” It’s a fair concern. Is the noise really worth all the other advantages?
In this blog post, you’ll learn more about the benefits of metal roofs and find out how much louder they are than shingles, so you can make an informed decision for your home.
If you know somebody with a metal roof, you’ve probably heard them rave about how much better they are than shingles. But egos aside, what are the real reasons people choose metal roofs over shingles?
The benefits of a metal roof are clear, but we still need to answer the question, “Are metal roofs loud?” Once you understand if they’re loud or not, you can weigh all the other advantages and decide if a metal roof is the right fit for your home.
Often, when a customer inquires about metal roof installation, their biggest concern is, "Are metal roofs loud?" That question usually comes from stories about old barns where the sound of rain echoed like a drum.
Those barns used open framing with no insulation, which amplified metal roof noise every time it rained. Today’s metal roofs are completely different. When installed on a modern home, they go over a solid roof deck with underlayment that softens the impact of each raindrop. This setup brings rain noise levels down to just a few decibels above what you’d hear on a standard asphalt shingle roof.
When rain hits asphalt shingles, the sound it creates measures in at about 46 decibels. Under the same conditions, metal roofs built with the proper decking and underlayment only create about 52 decibels of sound. It’s scientifically impossible for humans to tell the difference between 46 and 52 decibels.
So, are metal roofs loud? Well, roofing material acoustics matter, but structure matters more. A well-built metal roof with the right materials can sound nearly identical to a shingle roof.
If you're concerned about noise, the way you install your metal roof is much more important than the materials. Professionals take specific steps during the build process to reduce sound before it ever becomes a problem. Here's how experienced contractors approach roof sound insulation during installation.
Contractors install stone-coated metal panels that reduce noise by scattering sound waves on impact. The textured surface breaks up reverberation and softens each raindrop before it reaches the roof deck.
This added thickness also absorbs sound instead of reflecting it. A stone-coated finish helps prevent the noisy roof myths that often come from older, bare-metal roofs.
Next, professionals always build metal roofs over solid decking using plywood or OSB. This structure reduces echoing and keeps rain noise from polluting your living space. Meanwhile, installing panels directly over open rafters allows sound to pass straight through.
Before they place the metal panels, experienced contractors install a thick underlayment to absorb impact and reduce vibration. Longhorn Roofing uses underlayment materials like double-bubble foil or rubberized barriers instead of the thin, economy rolls that provide little sound resistance. This layer works with the decking to create a buffer that traps sound before it spreads through the roof.
A poorly insulated attic lets vibration travel into your home, even if the roof itself is solid. Adding dense insulation to the attic floor and walls helps stop leftover sound and improves energy performance. When combined with the steps above, this gives your home a quieter and more efficient roofing system.
Answering the question, “Are metal roofs loud?” depends entirely on what building techniques your installation experts use. At Longhorn Roofing, we install every metal roof over solid decking with quality underlayment, attic insulation, and stone-coated panels that absorb sound.
Let us help you determine whether a metal roof is right for your needs and goals. Contact us today at 512-478-2500 to learn more about your eco-friendly metal roofing options.