Free comparator

How loud will your roof be?

Six systems, measured indoors during rain, hail, and 40 mph wind. The gap between 'loud metal' and 'quiet metal' is one underlayment choice — we show which.

Compare

Interior noise, by system

System Rain Hail WindNotes
Asphalt shingle over OSB + felt
35 dB
52 dB
32 dB
Baseline. Mass of shingle + wood damps most rain.
Clay / concrete tile over batten + felt
32 dB
48 dB
30 dB
Heaviest system. Air gap under tile absorbs impact.
SPF spray foam (2") over deck
30 dB
44 dB
29 dB
Foam is a natural sound damper. Quietest on flat roofs.
Standing-seam metal over OSB + felt only
52 dB
68 dB
45 dB
The 'noisy metal roof' stereotype — this is why.
Standing-seam metal over OSB + synthetic + Sharkskin acoustic underlayment
38 dB
55 dB
35 dB
Adds ~14 dB reduction. Same install cost bump: ~$0.30/sq ft.
TPO / EPDM over ISO board + gypsum deck
34 dB
50 dB
31 dB
Rigid insulation + gypsum = quiet commercial standard.

Measurements taken 8 ft below deck in a furnished bedroom with insulated ceiling. Real-world variance ±3 dB.

Reference points

What those dB numbers actually sound like.

  • 30 dB
    A quiet whisper
  • 40 dB
    Refrigerator hum
  • 50 dB
    Light rain outside
  • 60 dB
    Normal conversation
  • 68 dB
    Vacuum in the next room
  • 70 dB
    Shower running
Three levers

How to make any roof quieter.

Underlayment

Synthetic + acoustic layer (Sharkskin, Titanium PSU-C) cuts 8–14 dB on metal. ~$0.30/sq ft add.

Deck sandwich

5/8" OSB or 3/4" plywood beats 7/16". On flat roofs, add ½" gypsum cover board.

Attic insulation

R-38 blown-in cellulose damps 5–8 dB on the interior side. Best ROI of the three.

Next step

Want a quiet metal roof spec priced out? Ask about a free inspection.

Book the free on-site inspection, or send a photo and we'll tell you what to do next. No sales pitch — we don't install roofs.

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