Curious—did you notice any noise difference with the composite? Some folks say it’s quieter in the rain, others swear it’s louder. Always wondered if that’s just down to the underlayment or what.
I’ve been wondering about this too. We just switched to composite tiles last fall (Midwest, lots of freeze-thaw), and honestly, I can’t decide if it’s actually quieter or if I’m just used to the old clay tiles making a racket every time it rained. The installer mentioned the underlayment makes a big difference, but I didn’t really know what to compare it to since our old roof was so patchy by the end.
Did you go with a specific type of underlayment? Ours is synthetic, which they said would help with both noise and moisture, but I still hear a bit of drumming during heavy storms. Not as bad as before, though. Also, did you notice any change in temperature upstairs after the switch? Our attic still gets pretty warm, but maybe that’s more about insulation like you said. Just trying to figure out what’s “normal” for these tiles versus what might be an install issue.
Synthetic underlayment does dampen some sound, but honestly, it’s not a magic bullet—especially in those Midwest downpours. I’ve seen folks expect total silence and end up disappointed. Composite tiles themselves are usually quieter than old, loose clay, but you’ll still get that drumming when the rain’s heavy. As for attic temps, unless you upgraded insulation or added better ventilation when you reroofed, probably not much will change. Sometimes people blame the roof when it’s really just heat trapped in the attic.
I switched to composite tiles a couple years back, and yeah, the rain still sounds like someone’s drumming on Tupperware up there when it really comes down. I actually kind of like it—beats the old clay ones that used to rattle every time the wind picked up. Did you notice any weird attic smells after the switch? Mine got musty until I realized my vents were half-blocked by insulation. Funny how you think a new roof will fix everything, but there’s always something else lurking.
- Seen this a lot—composite tiles are quieter than metal, but yeah, that hollow rain sound is real.
- Had a client with a similar musty attic issue after a re-roof. Turned out their soffit vents were covered by blown-in insulation too.
- Always surprises folks how much attic airflow matters. New roof, old problems sometimes...
- Personally, I like the peace of mind with composites—less cracking than clay, especially in freeze-thaw climates.
- Still, nothing’s ever totally maintenance-free. Even the best roofs need a little TLC now and then.