Are Steel Roofs Noisier in Bad Weather?

A question we get asked often is: “Will a Hy-Grade Steel Roofing System be noisier in rain and hail than an asphalt shingle roof?”.

It’s likely this worry stems from the memory of an old barn steel and tin roofs of the past; however, metal roofing has since come a long way – especially residential steel roofing. Aspects of our system, installation process as well as our roofing materials actually help absorb more sound in most cases. Many customers are surprised to learn their Hy-Grade Steel Roof is either the same, or less noisy than their asphalt shingle roof was.

Noise-Cancelling Roofing System Design

Hy-Grade Steel Roofs Have Layers of Sound Barriers Built In

The design of our system and our unique shakes vastly improve the quietness when compared to other types of metal roofing. Since our roof is a multi-panel system in much smaller, 3-dimensional pieces, it takes the drum effect out of the steel. When you think about rain or hail hitting a long panel of steel, it would create plenty of movement and echo the noise. Since our shakes are smaller and more rigid, the echo is nearly eliminated to begin with. 

Sound Barrier #1: The PVC Coating

The rain or hail hits the first layer, which is the coating on our steel shakes. This coating, among many other advantages, acts as a sound barrier to the rain. Rather than a straight galvanized steel, painted metal or tin roof of the past, it’s one additional layer of sound-absorbing material. Each additional layer of materials helps absorb sound as it travels into your home.

Sound Barrier #2: Double Roof Strapping

Our steel system is installed over top of a double-strapped wooden frame. In most cases, this wooden frame is installed directly on top of your existing asphalt shingles.

This small gap between your existing roof and our steel roofing system is a unique installation process. Many metal roofs are installed direct-to-deck, meaning the metal is installed right up against your existing roof. Without a strapping system installed, there is no noise-cancelling air pocket for sound to get trapped in. Many barn steel style metal roofs are also installed direct-to-deck, which is another reason metal roofs have gained a reputation as noisy. With a shake-style and double strapped system like our Hy-Grade Steel Roofing System, noise is confined and diminished in the small air pocket before it enters your home.

Sound Barrier #3: Your Existing Asphalt Roof

Both the wood strapping and your existing asphalt shingles absorb some more of the sound as it travels inward. In addition to important ventilation, the small air space between your existing roof and the Hy-Grade Steel Roofing System created by the wood strapping, traps sound waves. This affords your roofing system sound attenuation; the loss of energy in sound waves as they travel through barriers.

Sound Barrier #4: Porous Materials

Materials that are insulating but porous, with small holes, also trap and dissipate sound waves. Foam-like materials are used on the walls of sound-proof rooms for this reason. If your attic is properly insulated, the insulation will act as another sound-breaking barrier between your roof and inside your home.

By the time noise from rain or hail makes its way through all of these sound-absorbing layers into your home it should be no louder than it was with your existing roof and likely, even quieter than before.

* Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church – Hy-Grade Steel Roofing System installed in May 1996 in Kitchener, Ontario