Your experience matches mine pretty closely. I've found fiberglass batting to be a solid addition too, especially if there's enough attic space to layer it properly. Acoustic panels can help, but honestly, they're hit or miss depending on the attic layout and how they're installed. One thing I've seen work surprisingly well is adding a layer of mass-loaded vinyl under the metal roofing itself—it's dense stuff and does a decent job absorbing sound vibrations before they even reach the attic insulation.
Funny story: my brother-in-law switched to metal roofing last summer and immediately regretted it after the first thunderstorm. He joked that it sounded like a drum solo overhead. We ended up adding some extra fiberglass insulation and sealing up a few gaps around vents, and now he says it's totally manageable. Guess it really comes down to personal tolerance and expectations...
"Guess it really comes down to personal tolerance and expectations..."
Yeah, that's spot-on. I've inspected quite a few homes with metal roofs, and reactions vary widely. Mass-loaded vinyl is definitely underrated—seen it make a noticeable difference in noise reduction. Acoustic panels, though... honestly haven't seen consistent results there either. Glad your brother-in-law found a workable solution; sealing gaps around vents is often overlooked but can really help quiet things down during storms.
Interesting points about acoustic panels—I get why they're hit-or-miss, but maybe placement or material choice makes a difference? I've seen some success with spray foam insulation under metal roofs—it dampens vibrations surprisingly well. Not a miracle fix, but worth considering if noise is a major concern. Curious if anyone's tried comparing foam insulation directly with mass-loaded vinyl in similar setups... might be insightful to see how they stack up practically.
I've been following this thread closely since I'm dealing with a similar headache. When we first moved into our place, I thought metal roofing was the way to go—durable, sleek, and all that jazz. But man, the noise during heavy rainstorms caught me totally off guard. We ended up spraying foam insulation underneath, and it did help cut down on that tinny echo, but it's still louder than I'd hoped.
Haven't personally tried mass-loaded vinyl, but a buddy of mine swears by it for soundproofing his basement music studio. Makes me wonder if it'd be worth the extra cost and hassle to layer it under a metal roof. Has anyone here actually done a direct comparison between foam insulation and vinyl in a residential roof setup? I'd love to hear if the difference is noticeable enough to justify the effort...
I've installed both foam insulation and mass-loaded vinyl (MLV) under metal roofs, and honestly, the difference isn't as dramatic as some folks make it out to be. MLV does dampen sound better, sure, but it's pricey and a bit of a hassle to install properly. Have you considered adding a layer of plywood decking beneath the metal? I've seen that combo cut down rain noise significantly without breaking the bank...might be worth looking into before diving into vinyl.
