BS: roofing and sound question

Subject: BS: roofing and sound question
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 03:28 PM

I have a problem with a Champion pation room that's been added to our house. Here's a link that almost shows one:

almost there

Click on 'sun rooms' to see a picture.

We love our sunroom except for one thing. When it rains, the clattering noise on the roof is just awful. In fact, during a thunderstorm, we can't stand to be in there.

I've tried writing to Champion, and I've called our local franchise, but they don't respond. Does anybody know of a lightweight, sound- absorbing roofing material that could be put on top of the sunroom?

You might worry that this will invalidate our guarantee, but the guarantee doesn't seem to be worth much anyhow.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 04:00 PM

What kinda roofing is on it? Asphaltic shingles? If so, that's best because a down comforter would be a bitch to wash, no?

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 05:59 PM

Bad news. I got a call back from National Roofing Contractors Association, and their rep said that there's no roofing material like that. Such structures aren't designed to take extra weight, anyhow.

Gnu, a down comforter would help, but it might blow away in a high wind.

Maybe I should have a nice, solid door installed between the sun room and the rest of the house, and I'll just close it when it sounds like several snare drummers are practicing in the house.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: bobad
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 06:58 PM

The most practical solution would be to insulate the inside surface of the roof with a sound proofing material such as Roxul Safe 'n' Sound. This would provide the added benefit of keeping the room a little warmer in cold weather and a little cooler in hot weather.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: Deckman
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 07:13 PM

I think I might have an answer. What country (there are several now) do you live in? bob(deckman)nelson

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: Bobert
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 07:18 PM

Looks like a conventional rafter roof... Is there insulation between the ceiling and the roof??? If not, then that will help... Looks like you could get R-19 in there without much trouble... Of course, that means taking down the ceiling...

Plan B: Put siding over the gable and put in cross-ties/joists, insulate and drop the ceiling.... You can bring it down as far as you like... The more insulation, the less noise... Even bringing it down 12 inches would get you 12 inches more insulation/sound deadening... That will quite the heck out of it and you'll have a vaulted ceiling...

B~

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: gnu
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 08:15 PM

Of course insulation will help, especially if done properly to reduce sound transmission. There are a number of ways to do it. Here's another tongue in cheek answer. Put the comforters on the inside and tell people it's a new "treatment""... all the rage.

Sorry for making a joke. I just figured the usual suspects would be along shortly and sort it out for you.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jan 12 - 11:59 PM

How about Styrofoam on the inside?

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: akenaton
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 05:28 AM

Ear plugs?

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: pdq
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 10:55 AM

What you are hearing is a combination of sounds that come directly from the roof (caused by rain) and sound that is reflected off the walls, ceiling and floor.

The reflected sound (aka echo) is often much more irritating than the direct sound.

You can "deaden" the floor with carpet and treat a wall with wall hangings, perhaps even erect some bookshelves.

You only need to treat one of a pair of opposite walls so the task is not as difficult as it might sound.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 11:03 AM

Kinda spoil the view, no? I thought it was a "sun room".

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 02:19 PM

Well, the experts haven't come to the rescue soon enough, sooo... after looking at the ell again, seems to me one could attach another roof above the existing roof and sound dampened to provide a fair bit of relief from your problem. This could be in various ways but Bob is right when he asks where you live. That will certainly guide the design process because one has to know the roof loads. Snow, wind, pigeons... >;-)

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 02:21 PM

These rooms comes with a lot of insulation. They are assembled ahead of time at a factory, and don't seem to lend themselves to carpentry. There's no place to attach anything to.

We bought the room because there is no access for a vehicle to our back yard. The crew carried the room up 14 stairs in boxes, bless their hearts. It' a a very nice room, considering the conditions under which they had to work.

I hadn't thought about the effect of the rat-a-tat tats bouncing around the inside surfaces of the room, but that's got to be a factor. Again, I think putting a solid door in and avoiding the room during a bad rain is the way to go.

We love dining and birdwatching out there.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: gnu
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 02:31 PM

Certainly is a factor. Sound damping in building design is a major consideration.

Now, I can design a secondary roof but I am an engineer and not an architect so *I* am with you on the door idea on accounta architects only think about making money. >;-) Just get the right door and sweep.

Subject: RE: BS: roofing and sound question
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 28 Jan 12 - 02:59 PM

Styrofoam could be attached with glue.