That's a good point about insulation making a difference, but honestly, even with proper insulation, metal roofs can still have their moments. We replaced our shingles with metal about five years ago and went pretty heavy on the insulation too. Most of the time it's great—quiet enough that we barely notice rain. But during really intense storms, especially hail or heavy downpours, it still gets noticeably louder than our old roof ever did. Not unbearable or anything, just... noticeable.
I think part of it might be personal sensitivity or even the pitch of the roof itself. Our neighbors have a similar setup and swear they never hear a thing. Maybe I'm just more tuned into it? Either way, I'd still recommend metal for durability and longevity, but if you're super sensitive to noise, it's worth keeping in mind that insulation helps a lot—but might not completely eliminate the sound factor.
I agree with your observations on metal roofs. It could definitely be sensitivity or roof pitch, but another factor I've noticed is the type of metal used and how it's installed. Standing seam roofs seem quieter than corrugated panels, probably due to fewer exposed fasteners and tighter seams. Also, attic ventilation can influence sound transmission—better airflow sometimes reduces noise resonance. Still, like you said, nothing totally eliminates noise during heavy storms...but durability usually outweighs occasional noise concerns for most people.
Good points about standing seam roofs—I went with one on my new build and haven't regretted it yet. Honestly, the noise isn't as bad as some people make it out to be, even during heavy rain. But I think you're onto something with attic ventilation. When we first moved in, the attic wasn't vented properly, and storms sounded way louder than they do now after we added some ridge vents.
One thing I'm still curious about though is insulation type. We used spray foam insulation under the roof deck, and I swear it made a noticeable difference in sound dampening compared to my neighbor's house (he used traditional fiberglass batts). Has anyone else noticed insulation choice affecting noise levels, or am I just imagining things?
I've used both spray foam and fiberglass insulation in different homes, and honestly, I didn't notice a huge difference in noise levels. Maybe my ears aren't as sensitive, but to me, the biggest factor was always attic ventilation and roof decking thickness. Could it be your neighbor's decking is thinner or installed differently? Just a thought... insulation matters, sure, but sometimes it's the little construction details that make the real difference.
Interesting point about decking thickness—I hadn't really considered that before. But from my experience, insulation type can actually make a noticeable difference, especially in older homes. A few years back, I renovated a 1950s bungalow that had fiberglass insulation originally. When we switched to spray foam, the noise reduction was pretty significant, particularly during heavy rainstorms. Maybe it's because the older decking and framing weren't as tight or solid as newer builds, so the foam filled in those gaps better?
But you're right, construction details definitely matter. I've seen cases where even small things like the type of underlayment or how tightly shingles are nailed down can affect noise levels. So yeah, insulation isn't the whole story—but I wouldn't discount it entirely either.
