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matt m
6/7/2011
Gentlemen, Your feedback on the following questions is much appreciated. Thank you in advance. 1. I live in a 1920's Tudor on a relatively small (1/8 acre) city lot. I am considering replacing my aging asphalt shingle roof with a metal roof, but am concerned that rain hitting the roof during a thunderstorm could be deafening for my neighbors. Is there any information available on the "loudness" of a metal roof during a rainstorm vs. the "loudness" of an asphalt roof? 2. We recently remodeled the upstairs of our 1920's Tudor and replaced the old rock-wool insulation with a closed-cell spray foam insulation product (creating R-30 to R-40+ insulation throughout). In doing so, we closed off the attic roof and soffet vents, creating a "hot-roof". My understanding is that metal roofs perform well (or at least better than asphalt) in a hot-roof situation. What are your thoughts on this? Thanks.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
6/7/2011
Metal roofs are great for hot roofs because they are unaffected by the extra rooftop temperatures that can be reached in such construction. As far as sound ... not familiar with any studies ... but I can tell you this ... in over 30 years of residential metal roofing experience I have never encountered an issue with a neighbor talking about rain noise. I know that at my house if I am in the garage with the garage door open and it's raining heavily I will hear the rain on the roof a little bit but certainly not to a large degree. I guess my thought is that if your neighbors are outside or right next to an open window veyer close to your roof they may hear something but it should not be an issue. All Best.
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!
6/7/2011
+1 Metal is the best way to go in this application and I wouldn't have the slightest concern about noise if I were you.
matt m
6/8/2011
Thank you both for your input, very helpful. That definitely helps solidify my decision.
terry witzig
8/3/2011
hello i am going to reroof our house. i want to use standing rib. and am concerned about ice daming. i live in wisconsin. the roof pitch is 2 1/2 - 12. we have cathederal cielings & there is about 4 " of insulation. the house has a 30" overhang. most manufacturers recomend no less than a 3 - 12 pitch. it is 15 feet eave to peak. could i ward off ice issues by covering the roof with ice barrier first. i also am thinking about useing 1/4" fanfold under the steel. what are you,re thoughts. thank you for you,re time
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
8/3/2011
Terry, thanks for thinking of metal. You have a unique roofing situation. That low of pitch requires a mechanically seamed standing seam. Ice and watershield underlaymentm while not a bad idea, will not elikminate the problem of ice dams. I strongly encourage you to increase ventilation by somehow achieving a "cold roof" on top oif what you now have and beneath the new metal roof,
Eric Novotny
An informed customer is the Best Customer!
8/3/2011
You are going to need a whole lot more than some fan fold insulation. I would look at putting down a layer of Poly-iso insulation with some above deck ventilation. Cathedral ceilings have some unique challenges and putting down ice and water shield will not eliminate the ice damn, just slow down the intrusion of water. If it ice damns for long enough, you will have water in the home. http://danperkinsroof.com/1108_JCL_Perkins_A.pdf
Guest User
8/23/2011
I live in North Central Florida. I want to make a covered deck using 3' x 12' aluminum panels. Asking for estimates one contractor told me that kind of panels only need to be supported at the ends thanks to its configuration. I need to make sure if such panels requiere intermediate supports. Thanks in advance for your help.
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.
8/23/2011
Hugo, it really depends upon what type of panel you are talking about. Many patio panels are structural insulated panels designed to span distances. Most light gauge metal roofing panels though are not intended to span 12'. The manufacturer of the panels must be consulted on this to see what their particular panel has been designed and tested for.

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