Slate’s a solid choice, no doubt. I went with standing seam metal a while back—wasn’t cheap either, but I liked the lower maintenance. Only thing is, rain can get pretty loud. Still, beats patching leaks every year...
Only thing is, rain can get pretty loud. Still, beats patching leaks every year...
That’s what I keep hearing about metal roofs—the noise factor. Did you do anything special for soundproofing, like extra insulation or underlayment? I’m leaning toward metal too, but my partner’s worried about the “tin roof in a thunderstorm” effect. Wondering if it’s really that bad, or just takes getting used to?
METAL ROOF NOISE – IS IT REALLY THAT BAD?
Honestly, I think the whole “metal roofs are crazy loud” thing gets blown out of proportion. We put one on our place a few years back, and with a decent underlayment plus regular attic insulation, it’s not that different from shingles. Sure, you’ll hear heavy rain more than before, but it’s not like you’re living in a drum. My partner was worried too—now she actually finds the sound kind of relaxing during storms. If you’re already dealing with leaks every year, I’d take a little extra rain noise over buckets on the floor any day.
If you’re already dealing with leaks every year, I’d take a little extra rain noise over buckets on the floor any day.
That’s a fair point—constant leaks are a much bigger headache than a bit of extra sound during storms. The noise factor really comes down to what’s under the metal. If you use a quality synthetic underlayment and have proper attic insulation, the difference is pretty minimal. I’ve replaced plenty of old roofs with standing seam metal, and most folks are surprised by how little the sound changes, especially compared to the peace of mind from no leaks. If you’re worried, ask your installer about adding a sound-deadening layer—there are options out there that help a lot.
Honestly, I’ve found that most of the “metal roofs are noisy” talk is a bit overblown, especially if you’ve got decent attic insulation. One thing I always suggest is to look at your attic setup first—sometimes folks skip that step and miss out on a quieter, more energy-efficient house. If you’re already gutting the old roof, it’s the perfect time to add a sound-dampening membrane or even just upgrade your insulation. It’s not just about leaks or noise—think about long-term comfort, too.