Lower Noise Transmission in Homes

How to Lower Noise Transmission through Metal Covered Roofs

It is a common experience to have noisy sound from falling rain or hail on steel metal roofing. But here is a way on how to lower noise transmission or reduce your annoying sound and enjoy the comfort of your homes when it rain.

These metal roof installation and insulation options can reduce roof noise transmission from steel metal roofs. Choose from these options what is applicable and affordable for your home.

1. In re-roofing with steel metal roofing over existing asphalt shingles, be sure to install them after you have obtained local building code permits. This procedure reduces noise transmission from the steel metal roofing when it rain.

2. To reduce sound transmission, be sure to install the steel metal roofing over sound-absorbing foam insulating panels. This insulation will deflect sound transmission from the roof away from the building interior.

3. Another distinct procedure is by installing steel metal roofing over a sound proof insulated attic space. This procedure will transmit less noise to the building interior. Installing a steel metal roof over a low slope or flat roof without an insulated attic space between the roof and the building interior would have that annoying sound from rain or hail.

4. The installation of underlayment products in installing steel metal roofing is another perfect option to reduce noise transmission. These products are designed to permit ventilation and have the properties that are sound-isolating. Such products include; Enkamat 7008/1010 and Colbond underlayments that can reduce the sound transmission of the impact of rainfall or hail on metal roofing.

5. By selecting a heavily-formed, heavy profile or textured steel metal style roof product can also reduce noise transmission efficiently. But always include the underlayment products for best results.

6. In the installation process, use the proper metal roof fasteners as specified by manufacturers. These fasteners should be in the right location and at recommended intervals. As temperatures vary and contraction happens, noise transmission can likely occur if there are too few fasteners used or metal roofing are loosely-fastened and improperly secured.

7. Lastly, use multiple layers of building insulation. Ensure a tight construction and apply sealants in gaps and on every sound transmission pathways you can find.

This metal building insulation is basically manufactured to create costs savings through energy savings, condensation, prevention and sound absorption.

NAIMA Recommendations

Adding fiberglass faced or unfaced metal blankets alone to the metal building construction can reduce noise levels in a metal building by 5 to 6 dB. However, construction techniques can affect the way sound travels. In maximizing a metal building’s acoustical performance, wall and roof panels should include one layer of faced metal blanket insulation or one layer of unfaced metal blanket insulation. In addition, the construction should be sound tight. Attention to detail such as filling gaps with flexible sealants will assure that sound does not transit through air leaks from one space to another.

The Sound Transmission Class (STC)

STC is short for the Sound Transmission Class which is defined as the level of sound reduction transmitted to the building interior from outside noise sources. The higher STC numbers would mean a higher resistance to sound transmission in the building interior. Acousticians describe it as greater sound transmission loss between the building interior and outdoor sources. From STC=20 to STC=55 are STC values that are typical acoustician standards.

OITC is also known as the Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class which is described as the sound transmission loss properties of building exterior components such as windows and walls against noise from low flying aircraft, trains and traffic. This is also helpful in sound proofing buildings located near highways, airports and rail ways and stations.

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