The sound of hail banging against a metal roof is never a good time. Some might even say it’s worse than nails on a chalkboard—so much so that as a form of mental torture, tin roofs have been used in prison facilities since the smallest impact against them can cause an incredibly loud noise.
Just close your eyes for a bit and imagine that tick tick tick, on a continuous 4-hour loop. Sheesh.
We totally understand homeowners looking for metal roof noise reduction, and we’re here to help. In this article, we’re talking about how you can soundproof a metal roof and make it more family-friendly.
1. Insulate the Ceiling
Metal roofs can’t be insulated per se, but you can certainly try insulating the ceiling. The thicker the layer that separates the roof from the ceiling, the quieter the roof will be.
Insulating the ceiling is often a step that’s done retroactively before the roof is even installed. You can take advantage of attic space or an unfinished area in the house to install the ceiling insulation there. Some of the more common types of insulation include spray foam and batt insulation, and they come in different grades that you can choose from.
2. Make Sure the Metal Roof Is in Place
Hailstones, strong winds, and heavy rain leave a bigger impact on a metal roof that’s not installed properly. A loose tin roof will likely shift and move at contact, causing an even louder noise as it rubs against other parts of the house.
Examine the fasteners on your roof to check if they’re installed correctly and make sure the roof is in place. If not, you can tighten the fasteners you already have or replace them altogether if they’re faulty. You can also add more fasteners to the roof just to be on the safe side.
3. Install a Roof Underlayment
Metal roof underlayments are generally a built-in part of the product when you first install it. However, not all metal roof manufacturers follow this rule, and in this case, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to install the underlayment.
Roof underlayments are nylon filaments or foam insulating panels that are installed underneath the roof. The main benefit of adding underlayments to a roof is making it energy-efficient. Another popular advantage is that roof underlayments are a great way to soundproof metal roofs and reduce their noise.
4. Choose Your Metal Roof Wisely
Metal roofing comes in three types, all with a different level of noise susceptibility. Corrugated metal roofs, for instance, tend to make louder noises due to the grooves in their design. So although, they look great from an aesthetic standpoint, they’re not the smartest option when you’re trying to soundproof your roof.
Instead, go for standing seam or flat metal roofs. They make much less noise than corrugated roofing yet still serve the same quality and purpose.
5. Speak to A Metal Roof Professional
Although the tips above have been proven to soundproof metal roofs effectively, we recommend that you speak to a metal roofing contractor. Keep in mind that every metal roof, house, and situation is different. So if the above solutions don’t work for you, you might want to look for a custom alternative for your particular metal roof.
So, here you have them: our top 5 ways to soundproof a metal roof.
But Is There a Favorable Time for You to Do It?
If you live in Ontario where September is the wettest month, we highly recommend you start soundproofing your roof during early spring. You don’t want to do it in July or August when the weather is at its hottest and you end up with a quiet roof and a farmer’s tan, do you? —which is why we think anytime from April till the end of June is probably the best time to take on a metal roof noise reduction, or any roofing project for that matter.