We received a call from a client who had one of our metal roof systems installed and wanted to relay her first Independence Day experience with the new metal roof. Living in a part of town where fireworks are a major tradition, she often feels like she’s in a battle zone every year. Both she and her dog are highly sensitive to sound, making the festivities particularly stressful.
This year, she was thrilled to report a significant reduction in outside noise. Thanks to her new metal roof, she and her dog could enjoy a much quieter and more peaceful evening.
The Science Behind Metal’s Sound Reflectivity
Sound, much like light, is reflective. Metal is one of the best materials for reflecting sound. When sound waves collide with a metal surface, they are largely reflected back towards the source and beyond, minimizing the noise that penetrates the interior of a building. This isn’t just a neat trick—it’s real science.
Real-World Applications of Metal’s Sound Reflective Properties
Airport Hangars and Maintenance Facilities:
These structures utilize metal panels with insulation to significantly reduce aircraft noise, creating a quieter environment inside.
Recording Studios:
Metal soundproof booths combined with insulating materials ensure a noise-free recording environment.
Industrial Buildings:
Factories and manufacturing plants use insulated metal panels to contain machinery noise, improving internal acoustics and reducing noise pollution.
Urban Buildings:
Studies show that insulated metal panels can reduce street noise by up to 50 decibels, creating quieter living and working spaces in noisy urban areas.
Benefits of Metal Roofing and Cladding for Noise Reduction
A recent study by the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) documents the ratings for sound transmission class (STC) and outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC) on standard metal building ceiling and wall assemblies. The results show that metal roofing and cladding, when properly planned and installed with sound-dampening materials, can make a significant difference in insulating your building from environmental noises. Here are a few scenarios where metal roofing and cladding shine:
Fireworks and Lightning Storms:
A metal roof not only reduces the noise of fireworks but also provides fire resistance. It acts as a Faraday cage during lightning storms, insulating your home from potential electrical damage.
Urban and Rural Noise:
Whether you’re dealing with constant urban white noise or the amplified sounds of the countryside, a metal roof can help dampen those sounds, making your indoor environment more serene.
Why Metal Roofing and Cladding Are Ideal for Sensitive Individuals
For individuals with PTSD, anxiety, or heightened sound sensitivities—as well as for children, babies, and pets—a metal roof and wall cladding can provide a much-needed sanctuary from external noises. The reflective properties of metal, combined with proper insulation, create a barrier that significantly reduces noise intrusion.
The Additional Safety Benefits of Metal Roofing
Besides its sound-dampening properties, metal roofing is also fire-resistant, offering peace of mind during fireworks displays or in fire-prone areas. Its ability to act as a Faraday cage during lightning storms provides additional safety by insulating your home from electrical hazards.
Conclusion: The Quietest House Ever
There are numerous advantages to choosing metal roofing and cladding, from superior sound reduction to enhanced safety features. If you want to learn how to minimize outside noise from an architectural standpoint, give us a call. We’ll help you plan and implement a solution that keeps your home or building quiet and peaceful.
For more detailed information on the acoustical performance of insulated metal building roof and wall assemblies, you can download the guide from the Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA) and the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA) at mbma.com.
