Homes are designed to be a place where the residents can rest peacefully and quietly; therefore, it is very stressful when that abode does not deliver what is expected. In a house, there are many potential sources for noise; yet according to roofing contractors, homes often have one basic source for such noise and that is an aluminum roof.
Aluminum is a fairly new type of material, known for its durability and affordability. A typical aluminum roof that is well-maintained can last up to 100 years before it needs replacement. Compared to materials with the same service life, it is much more affordable and easier to maintain. Unfortunately, the biggest disadvantage to aluminum is noise. Because aluminum is a thin sheet of metal, it can easily resonate during strong winds, rain, and especially during hail storms, creating very loud sounds. Luckily, this noise problem is preventable! Proper installation of this material can help reduce, or even eliminate noise.
Noise Reduction Tips
There are certain steps that can be taken to minimize the amount of noise made by this material. Listed below are a few of these recommendations.
- Panel Selection – The thickness and the corrugation of the material is a huge factor that can affect the level of noise generated. Thin and flat metal panels easily vibrate and generate sound. Thicker varieties and those with a more corrugated design provide more structural integrity and have less of a potential to generate sound.
- Fastener Installation – One of the advantages of metal roofs is that they are thin and lightweight, making them also highly pliable and prone to the creation of noise, particularly when windy. To prevent this problem, it is important to keep it secure by installing a sufficient amount of fasteners at intervals indicated by the manufacturer.
- Use Sealants – Squeaky metal roofs can also be caused by two panel edges rubbing together. Such a problem can be prevented by applying sealant on the ends where the two panels join. Aside from the function of the sealant to seal the joint, it will also serve as an adhesive to hold the two joints together and prevent them from rubbing together.
- Underlayment – An underlayment is a thick sheet that is normally installed beneath the roofing material for extra thermal protection and waterproofing. It also provides an extra benefit when installed underneath a metal panel. Underlayment such as Enkamat 7008/1010 is an effective sound absorber that can eliminate high frequency sounds such as raindrops and even hail.
- Insulation – Insulation not only provides protection from extreme temperatures; it also serves as an effective sound barrier. The fluffy material installed between the attic and the roof is effective in absorbing sound and preventing it from being transmitted into the living space.
- Metal and Shingles – Installing an aluminum panel over existing shingles is an effective way to prevent the sound generated by the metal from being heard in the living space below. The additional sheet of shingles will act as a sound barrier and prevent the noise from getting through. It is important to check if such an approach is legal as it is not always allowed due to local building codes.
Aluminum is one of the toughest types of roofing material available and is comparable to slate which can last a century; yet its cost is significantly lower than slate. According to roofing contractors, a place for aluminum is on top of the house. Although well known for being noisy, it is easy to fix the problem of very loud aluminum panels by following the noise reduction tips listed above!
Are you looking for a roof company Houston contractor to handle your roofing needs? Schulte Roofing in Navasota provides service to the greater Houston area and has the answers to your questions!