Can I Add Shingles to a Noisy Metal Roof?

LESLIE: Bela in Delaware, you’ve got The Money Pit. How can we help you today?

BELA: Well, we have a sunroom. And the roof of the sunroom is 4 inches of Styrofoam and on top of that is aluminum. Now, when it rains, it’s very, very noisy. It’s like living in a double-wide. So what I would like to do is put architectural singles on it.

Now, I talked to one roofer. He said, “Oh, we can just nail it on.” But I don’t think so. I thought maybe we need some plywood – ¾-inch plywood – and even maybe some spacers.

TOM: This aluminum roof, is it fairly flat or is it shaped?

BELA: It is flat. Yes, sir.

TOM: Well, first of all, keep in mind that metal roofs are far more durable than asphalt-shingle roofs. But if you can’t really deal with the sound and you want to soften it, I agree with you: I do think you should attach a plywood decking to that metal roof first.

And I would do that with screws. So I would drive screws through the decking, into that metal roof. And then, on top of that, I would put ice-and-water shield, which is going to give you protection from any ice damming. And I would probably, since it’s a fairly flat roof or a low-sloped roof, I would probably cover the entire surface with ice-and-water shield. And then over that, I would put the asphalt shingles.

BELA: OK. Thank you so very much for your help. That is the kind of a thing I’ve been thinking about.

TOM: I think you’re on the right track, Bela. Thanks so much for calling us at 888-MONEY-PIT.