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If you’ve ever been in a metal structure when it rains you’ll instantly appreciate the need to soundproof it. Of course, there are many reasons why you may want to soundproof a metal building but keeping the sounds of the weather out is one of the top.
The good news is that it’s possible to soundproof it, you just need to know how.
Talk To The Professionals
The first step should be to talk to the professionals, such as these acoustic engineers. They will be able to help you assess the issue, how the structure has been fabricated, and which material is likely to give the best results. It’s important to know what your aim is, simply to reduce rain noise, to soundproof and insulate, or something else.
They will help you find the right solution. You can then ask them to implement it or do it yourself.
Add Something To The Outside Of the Roof
If your budget is low then you may find the best option is to add bitumen or something similar to the outside. The easiest option is the torch-on variety. It’s easy to apply and effectively dampens the impact of rain on the metal roof.
To get the best possible effects you’ll want to add two or three layers of bitumen to the roof.
Of course, if you prefer a more natural approach you can always grass the roof.
Paint It
You can also paint your roof to help reduce the noise. This is another option for the exterior of the building. You’ll need to use rubber-based paint as this will absorb some of the sounds of the rain.
It should be noted that this isn’t as effective as bitumen but it should allow you to have a conversation inside the building, even when it’s raining.
Internal Structures
If you’re looking for a professional finish then simply adding insulation to the inside of your walls and roof isn’t going to be enough. You’ll want to add a sound-proofing material against the interior side of the metal and then add a layer of standard insulation inside it. Then, panel over the surface to create new inside walls. It should be virtually impossible to hear any rain or other weather noise and the building will retain heat much better, making it easier to heat.
Of course, if you really want to make sure you can’t hear any rain you can bitumen the outside and make false walls and ceilings with soundproofing and insulation on the inside.
Change The Roof
Changing the style of the roof completely is a big and expensive job. But, you can fairly easily replace any ridged panels with flat ones. Corrugated metal encourages sounds to travel. It also catches the wind more, increasing the noise level. Simply switching to flat panels can make a surprising amount of difference.
The bottom line is you need to talk to the professionals first. They can help you choose the most effective technique and eliminate the rain noise.