Metal roofs are frequently miscategorized as being loud or noisy. We all know the sound of rain, or even worse, hail, hitting metal. Anyone who is familiar with structures in which you can see the metal from both sides, such as a barn, is also likely familiar with that pinging sound. However, metal roofs installation is quite different on a home or building than it is on a structure like a barn. As such, outside elements like rain are typically no noisier on a metal roof than they are on your standard shingled roof.
Here’s the difference: in residential homes and commercial buildings, metal roofing is placed atop a plywood deck, much like 3-tab shingles are. This solid roof deck acts as a sort of noise-canceling barrier between the roof and the inside of the home. So while metal roofs installed without a roof deck in between are typically very noisy in bad weather, those that are properly installed above insulation or solid plywood sheathing are not.