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Are you ready for a new roof? Do you work from home? Do your kids learn from home? If so, you’re probably concerned about how loud getting a new roof will be. Is it unbearable? Will you be able to have online meetings? Will you be able to hear yourself think? For over 30 years, Bill Ragan Roofing has tried to ease every homeowner's stress, concerns, and worries about getting a new roof. Even as a roofer myself, I understand why you’re concerned about the noise that comes with a roof replacement. So, I want to give you an honest assessment of how loud getting a new roof is and some advice to prepare yourself for it. Getting a new roof is very loud on both the outside and inside of your home. Throughout the entire roof replacement project, you’ll hear scraping, banging, saws, generators buzzing, and the crew walking on your roof all day.How loud is getting a new roof?
The noise will be loudest inside your home during the installation part of your roof replacement, especially if you’re getting hail nailing. The noise will be a little muffled on the first floor if you have a two story home.
However, you’ll be dealing with a lot of noise until the sun goes down, no matter where you are in your home. It’ll be loud enough that your neighbors hear it inside their house, so it’s not even limited to you.
That's why I recommend giving them a little warning to prepare them for the noise if your homes are close together.
How should you prepare for the noise when getting a new roof?
Now you know that getting a new roof will be really loud inside your home. While it can be muffled if you have a two-story home, there’s no way to prevent the noise of a roof replacement.
However, there are things you can do to prepare for the big day so you won't be caught off guard when the noise starts.
Determine how the noise will affect you during the day
The only surefire way to avoid the noise when getting a new roof is not to be there. So, you need to determine how the noise will affect you and decide if you want to stay home.
If you work from home, I definitely recommend finding somewhere else to go. It’ll be hard to concentrate without noise-canceling headphones, and the sound will definitely be heard during meetings.
However, it’s 100% your decision to stay home during your roof replacement. Maybe you want to ensure your roof is being properly installed, keep an eye on the project, or be there to ask your contractor questions if they come up.
No matter the reason, it’s crucial to make the decision before the day of your roof replacement.
Have an exit plan if you need to leave because of the noise
So, let’s say you initially decide to stay home during your roof replacement. As the day goes on, you can’t handle the noise any longer and want to leave.
Your driveway has a dump truck/trailer, materials, tools, and other vehicles in it. Now, the entire project will stop to move everything and clear the driveway of debris and nails so you can leave.
This slows down the process and can lead to your roof replacement taking longer than originally expected. That’s why it’s crucial to have an exit plan just in case it's louder than you expected inside your home.
Because of this, I always recommend moving your vehicle(s) before your contractor shows up so you have an exit strategy, whether you plan to leave or not.
Consider how your pets handle loud noises
Just like you need to consider how the noise will affect you, you also need to think about how your pets will handle the noise when getting a new roof. If your dog or cat is scared of storms or fireworks, I guarantee they won’t like all the sounds that come with a roof replacement.
I’ve even had some customers say their cat didn’t come out from under the bed for a week after completing the project. If you have a basem*nt, you could put your pets down there to avoid some of the noise.
However, I recommend finding somewhere for your dog or cat to go on the day of your replacement.
What does the day of your roof replacement look like?
Now you know how loud getting a new roof is and how to prepare for the noise. Remember, you need to decide if you’re staying home before the process starts and have an exit plan if you need to leave.
Also, please consider your pets. The last thing you want to do is cause unnecessary stress with loud noises and people walking around your property all day.
I understand wanting to stay home to keep an eye on the project, so many homeowners just deal with noise. But how much more comfortable would you be about leaving if you knew what happens during the roof replacement process?
Understanding the process helps ease a lot of the stress and worry that comes with a roof replacement. In fact, knowing what it looks like means you won’t think twice once the banging starts and debris is flying around.
That’s why I wrote another article breaking down the process in steps to help homeowners like you feel more comfortable about getting a new roof.
Check out the 8-Step Process to Replace Your Roof to learn what to expect on the big day, from material delivery to the roofers pulling out of your driveway.
