Is It Normal For A Roof To Make Noise

The most common noise issues with flat roofs are banging loud rain snapping popping sounds heat related cracking and creaking.

Is it normal for a roof to make noise.

The sun hits your roof and heats it up. As it dries it can shift and contract triggering bangs loud enough to make you think a tree fell on the roof. Roof makes creaking sounds at night. This is not because it s otherwise quiet and you want to sleep.

Here we ll talk about the two most common reasons for a creaky roof. Click here to get free fast bids from local rough carpenters who can install the bracing in your roof. However with proper materials between the metal and you there is no reason to worry about noise. The sun hits your roof and heats it up.

If you re wondering why a roof makes a creaking noise it s worth bringing a professional to your home to take a look. Banging banging sounds generally occur when a part of the roof has not been properly fixed in place. In older home attics unsettling bangs are more likely to be the sounds of trusses joists rafters and sheathing expanding or contracting as the roof heats up or cools down. It s thermal expansion and contraction.

Solar expansion contraction. Taking as a given the noise is probably movement due to differences in thermal expansion or contraction as temperatures change rise fall across and through the roof structure in response to changes in outdoor temperature or sun exposure. I can imagine that a poorly secured metal roof might creak or make noises during thermal changes but i have not come across that complaint. This movement creates the popping noise.

Do you only hear the creaking noises at night. Those noises should decrease during the home s first year or so. The sound can be present both in mild weather and heavy winds. In very rare cases the sounds are a symptom of undue stress and you will need a professional roof inspection.

This flexing is what s causing the popping noise. As the lumber expands it moves and it will rub against other pieces of wood that aren t moving at the same rate. Since most re roofs are done where shingles were used previously and often on top of a layer of shingles noise is not going to be an issue. Or when it has come loose.

Metal roofs are major offenders but shingled roofs also can be quite noisy. In the occupied space below the example roof shown in our photos above there was no significant noise level difference during rain than below the flat rubber roofed sections of the same building. If your roof is installed without a proper roof underlayment you will experience the kind of noise that causes people to think buying a metal roof is a bad idea. If you ve recently had a porch or room addition it s natural for the roof to make sounds as it adjusts.