Yeah, aluminum roofs definitely amplify noise quite a bit. Had a tenant once who complained about exactly that—said heavy rain sounded like a drum solo overhead, lol. Foam-backed panels are actually pretty effective from what I've seen. One of our buildings had them installed last year, and tenants mentioned the difference was night and day during storms. Costs a bit more upfront, but honestly worth it if noise is a concern...
Foam-backed panels do help a lot, but have you ever looked into stone-coated metal roofing? I've worked on a couple of jobs where we installed them, and honestly, the noise reduction was impressive. They're pricier than standard aluminum sheets, sure, but probably comparable to foam-backed panels once you factor in installation. Plus, they look pretty sharp and hold up well against hail and wind. Might be worth checking out if you're already considering spending extra for noise control...
"They're pricier than standard aluminum sheets, sure, but probably comparable to foam-backed panels once you factor in installation."
Have you noticed much difference in attic ventilation needs with stone-coated roofing? Inspected a house recently that had them installed—looked great, but ventilation seemed off... Curious if that's common or just a one-off.
Stone-coated roofing itself shouldn't drastically change attic ventilation needs, but I've noticed some installers overlook proper venting because the material feels more "premium." Could be what happened in your case... worth double-checking soffit and ridge vents regardless of roofing type.
"Stone-coated roofing itself shouldn't drastically change attic ventilation needs..."
True, but I've seen a few cases where the extra thickness or installation method slightly impacted airflow. Not drastically, but enough to notice some moisture buildup over time. Might be worth checking if the installers accidentally blocked any vents or if the ridge vent got compressed during installation. Happened on a job I was on last summer—easy fix, but definitely something to keep an eye on.
