Not when built like a house roof. A metal roof over a solid deck, underlayment and an insulated attic sounds close to other roofing. In one study ATAS cites, the gap with shingles was 6 decibels. The loud metal roofs people remember are barns and patio covers with open framing.
You like the look of metal, but you remember a storm on a barn. Here is what actually decides how it sounds in your house.
No, not when the roof is built the way houses are built. A metal roof over a solid deck, underlayment and an insulated attic sounds about like other roofs. The loud metal roof people remember is usually a barn or a patio cover.
Most people who think metal is loud are remembering a barn, a carport or a patio awning. In those buildings nothing sits between you and the metal except air. ATAS International, a metal roofing maker, says it plainly: the idea that a metal roof is noisy comes from that memory.
A house is different. Under the panels there is a roof deck, an underlayment layer and an attic. ATAS reports that people who live under metal roofs say they hear the rain on their skylights, not on their metal roof. It also says some homeowners are disappointed because they hoped for the gentle patter of an old tin roof.
The numbers behind this come from a study by The Acoustic Group at the University of Luleå in Sweden. ATAS summarizes the result this way: metal did not register a significantly higher sound level than asphalt shingles, and the difference was only 6 decibels. We could not find the original study online, so treat that figure as the maker's summary. The direction matches what other roofing sources say, such as Drexmet, but none of them cite test data you can open.
The fair version, then: a metal roof is not automatically loud, and it is not automatically silent either. What is under the panels decides most of it. Coastline installs 24-gauge standing seam and 5V crimp metal roofs, and our metal roofing page shows both.
What about hail and wind-driven rain? Drexmet groups rain, sleet and hail together when it says metal is no louder than asphalt or stone roofing. None of the sources we opened measured hail noise on its own, so we will not claim a number for it. If a hailstorm is your worry, our hail damage guide covers what it does to Florida roofs.
Coastline installs 24-gauge standing seam and 5V crimp metal roofs. Coastline can inspect what is on your roof now and send a written photo report. Coastline Roofing works all over Florida (license CCC1331076).
The panel is only one layer. These are the others, from the sources above.
ATAS says a metal roof over open framing is louder than panels over a solid deck, because the deck absorbs and muffles sound. Florida approvals for metal roof systems name the deck. The example we read calls for plywood or plank at least 15/32 inch thick on a reroof. See our plywood vs OSB guide.
The layer between the panels and the deck is part of the sound reduction, according to ATAS. Our guide to synthetic underlayment vs felt covers the choices.
Drexmet says the attic space, especially when insulated, reduces roof noise. Our attic ventilation guide covers how Florida attics should breathe.
Carports, barns, lanais and patio covers have no deck or ceiling under the metal. They will sound louder in a downpour. That is a different building from a house.
Metal expands in the heat and shrinks when it cools. Sheffield Metals says standing seam panels are usually not double-pinned, so they move more freely than panels fastened directly down. The Metal Construction Association manual adds that under-tightened screws let panels move when they should stay put.
Drexmet says metal installed over an intact shingle roof gets extra noise reduction from the old layer. Layer rules and the age of the old roof decide whether that is allowed, so read roof over shingles in Florida before you plan on it.
With a solid deck and underlayment, the sources report a small difference. Without them, metal is louder.
This table sticks to what the sources say. It does not give decibel numbers for each row because no source we could open gave them.
| Roof assembly | What the sources say |
|---|---|
| Metal panels over open framing (barn, carport, patio cover) | Louder than panels over a solid deck, per ATAS and the Luleå study summary |
| Metal panels over solid deck, underlayment and an insulated attic | Not significantly higher than asphalt shingles; a 6 decibel difference in the study ATAS cites |
| Asphalt shingles over a solid deck | The comparison roof in that study |
| Metal panels over an intact old shingle layer | Drexmet says the old layer reduces noise further. Layer rules and roof condition decide if it is allowed |
One honest caution. Rain hits any hard surface with some sound. A metal roof can be a little more noticeable than shingles during a downpour even when it is built well. If you sleep under the roof, such as in a loft or top floor room, ask your installer how the assembly handles that.
Ask what goes under the panels. Four questions cover it.
You do not need a decibel meter. You need straight answers about the assembly. Here is the list we would use at our own kitchen table.
A solid wood deck is what ATAS points to. Ask for the thickness. If the deck has rot or soft spots, it needs repair first. See roof deck damage.
Ask for the product name. It belongs in the written quote, along with the deck and fasteners. Underlayment is a layer you cannot see once the panels are on, so the quote is your record of it.
Look in your own attic. Thin or missing insulation lets more sound through the ceiling. A written photo inspection shows what is up there.
Ask whether the panels are clipped to move with the heat or screwed down tight. Our standing seam vs 5V crimp guide covers how the two differ in fastening.
Not the answer, but the stakes. Heavy rain and big daily temperature swings make the build details matter more.
The parts under the panels matter as much as the panels.
It also helps to know that a metal roof in Florida is not just a quiet question. It has to meet Florida product approval and the wind rules. Read our guide to Florida Building Code roofing rules for how that works, and what sets the price of a metal roof.
If you are weighing a metal roof against shingles or tile, Coastline can inspect your roof and send a written photo report with what you have today. Josh reviews it. From there we can talk through whether metal fits your house, and what the assembly should be.
"Josh was especially amazing. He was professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything clearly so I felt comfortable and informed throughout the entire process. You can tell he genuinely cares about his customers and takes pride in his work."Madison T.Roofing customer
"Good communication and did a great job."Rick R.Roofing customer, Florida Gulf Coast
"Highly recommend. Great communication. Great quality of work and very personable. Easy to work with. Will use again for home renovations."Justin S.Roofing customer, Florida Gulf Coast
A little, in some cases. ATAS cites a Swedish study in which metal and shingles were only 6 decibels apart, and says metal did not register a significantly higher level. A solid deck, underlayment and attic insulation matter more than the panel itself.
The sources we found do not compare them directly. Both are installed over a deck and underlayment, and those layers do most of the work. Sheffield Metals says standing seam panels move more freely, which matters for movement noise as the roof heats and cools.
Yes, according to Drexmet. Drexmet says an insulated attic space reduces roof noise. A written photo inspection can show the insulation you have today.
Those roofs have open framing, with no deck or ceiling under the metal. ATAS says metal over open framing registers louder than panels over a solid deck, because the deck absorbs the sound. A house roof has more layers than a carport.
Drexmet says an intact old shingle layer adds some noise reduction. Layer rules and your roof's condition decide this, so check our guide to roofing over existing shingles. A written photo inspection shows whether your deck is sound enough to build on.
Coastline sends a written photo report of your deck, roof and what it needs. If metal is on the list, Josh can explain the options.
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