	AllExperts > Roofing
	Search

About Tom Petrilli
Expertise
I can answer questions about residential and light commercial roofing. I really enjoy solving complicated problems. My expertise is in shingle, slate and traditional metals (copper, lead, terne, stainless) as well as single ply low slope roofing. I have also installed a considerable amount of synthetic slate.

Experience
I have been a roofer for 21 years, I've owned my own company for the past 13.

Organizations
The National Roofing Contractors Assoc and Virginia Association of Roofing Contractors

Education/Credentials
I have attended numerous manufacturer training programs as well as sought out experts in specialized work for instruction.

Awards and Honors
A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, A rating from Angies List, highest mark for quality and value from the Washington Consumer Checkbook

You are here: Experts > Home/Garden > Home Improvement/Repair > Roofing > Rain Noise on EPDM roofing

Roofing - Rain Noise on EPDM roofing

Expert: Tom Petrilli - 11/9/2009

Question
Hi Tom,

I have a rubber roof which produces too much noise inside the house when it rains. The roof was recently installed by a reputable roofing contractor. The house is located in Michigan, which requires roofing insulation below the EPDM rubber sheet layer. The noise level inside is very distracting, even when it is raining lightly outside. What can be done to reduce the noise level from falling rain, etc.?

Composition of existing roof is as follows:
The roof structure is composed of 2" thick, T+G douglas fir, structural decking boards which are exposed as the ceiling on the interior of the entire home. This wood ceiling MUST remain exposed on the inside! The roofing system is applied over the structural decking, as follows:
1. one (1" thick) layer of Perlite board (used for sound absorbing properties).
2. 5" of ISO board for roof insulation. Applied as (1) 1" thick layer and (2) 2" thick layers, to equal the 5" of insulation.
3. All board stock noted above was mechanically fastened with EPDM screws to the 2" structural wood deck.
4. The EPDM (rubber roof) was then adhered to the top ISO board layer.

Now that the roof is totally complete and there is no problem with protection from the elements (other than noise), what is the best and most economical way to reduce the noise level being experienced from the rain? I look forward to your reply!

Answer
Lincoln,
You didn't mention what type of roof you had before so I'll assume it was a similar assembly.

What may have changed is the membrane attachment. The old membrane may have been loose laid over the insulation and mechanically fastened; when the membrane is fully adhered it will have no sound deadening qualities.

Think of it as a tight drum verses a loose drum.

Couple that with dense polyisocyanurate screwed tightly together and I could understand how the sound would transfer right into the living space.

It might be expensive and you would have to check with an engineer but you might want to think about installing a green roof system. The planters are modular and can be joined and configured around almost any roof.
http://www.greengridroofs.com/system/index.htm

Another option would be to remove the membrane and instead of adhering it you use a mechanical fastening system. The loose EPDM might make the roof a little quieter.
http://technicaldatabase.fsbp.com/downloadFile.ashx?fileId=[fid=2454|pid=810]

Another would be installing walk pads over the roof, they are typically installed to allow service people to walk across the roof without damaging the membrane. I see no reason why they couldn't be installed over the whole roof. The added layer might stop some of the noise transmission. This is probably the least expensive option, there are many different manufacturers but here is one.
http://www.rubberform.com/products/Industrial/Flat_Rooftop_Walkways

I remember staying with my grandparents one summer; they lived directly beneath the glide path for JFK airport. I was standing in their driveway holding my hands over my ears as the Concorde was taking off; it was so loud I thought the world was ending; they continued to have a normal conversation like nothing was happening.

Wait a little while before you make any decisions; you might stop noticing the new acoustics.

Good luck,
Tom

Add to this Answer Ask a Question