Is a Metal Roof Noisy in the Rain?

Will a metal roof be loud in the rain? It’s one of the first things homeowners ask us. Usually, the worry comes from a barn or cottage roof they’ve heard in a storm. In fact, most metal roof noise comes from how the roof is installed, not from the metal itself. That’s why a metal roof installed directly on the deck sounds much like an asphalt roof.

Where the drumming comes from

Barns, sheds and many older metal roofs are fastened to strapping. Strapping is wood strips nailed across the roof, with open gaps between them. As a result, the metal spans those gaps with nothing behind it. Every raindrop hits a thin sheet over empty space, and it drums.

For that reason, we never install on strapping. Here’s more on direct-to-deck vs strapping.

Why our roofs stay quiet

Every roof we install goes directly on the plywood deck, or over existing shingles. The panels also lock together on all four sides. Behind the metal, there’s underlayment and the solid deck. In addition, on a bare deck we cover the entire surface with ice and water protection. Over existing shingles, the old shingles add one more layer. Because of these solid layers, the metal doesn’t drum. Instead, rain sounds much like it does on an asphalt roof.

What about hail and snow?

Hail is loud on any roof. To be honest, it’s slightly louder on a metal roof, ours included, than on asphalt.

Snow is different. A metal roof sheds snow, and when a big load slides off, you may hear it go. If it could land on a door, walkway, driveway or deck, snow guards hold it on the roof. That way, it comes down gradually instead of all at once.