Are Roof Windows Noisy in the Rain?

Raindrops hitting a slate or a concrete tile land on a heavy, solid surface, and the roof space beneath dulls what little sound gets through. Glass is thin and stiff. A drop on the pane makes the glass vibrate, and the vibration passes straight into the room.

Do all roof windows sound the same?

No. The sound a window makes depends on what the glass is made of, how many layers it has and how the sash is held in the frame. A single thin sheet rings like a drum. A double-glazed unit with panes of different thickness, or with a laminated pane, breaks up the vibration. Ask the supplier which glazing options are on offer for your model and what each is meant to do.

The window also shares the roof with the ceiling lining. A loft room with a light lining and little insulation gives the sound an easy path, whereas a well-insulated sloping ceiling absorbs more of it. So the noise you hear is a result of the whole build-up round the window, not the glass alone.

Bedrooms notice it most, because that is where people are trying to sleep. A loft bedroom with a roof window directly above the bed puts the pane a short distance from your head, and a heavy shower will be audible.

Is it worse in heavy rain or light rain?

It tends to be most noticeable in heavy, driven rain and hail, when the drops are larger and arrive faster. Light drizzle is much quieter. Wind adds its own sounds, and a window that rattles in a gale is a fitting or seal problem more than a glazing one, and worth a look.

Home offices, studios and nurseries in the roof space also feel the effect, as do rooms under a conservatory-style glazed roof. Kitchens and bathrooms with roof windows less so, since extractor fans, running water and general household noise cover it up.

It helps to visit a showroom or a finished job on a wet day if you can, and listen. Failing that, think about how you use the room. If a quiet night's sleep matters more than the daylight from directly above the bed, the position of the window is worth a second look. We discuss placement during the survey, with the pitch and the layout of the room in front of us.

There are four practical routes, and they can be combined. The first is the glazing itself. Some makers offer laminated or acoustic glass for roof windows, which damps the drumming. It is usually a choice made when the window is ordered, so raise it early.

Can insulation round the frame help?

Yes. Gaps around the frame let sound in as well as heat out, so a properly sealed frame with insulation packed round it quietens the window. The lining and the ceiling build-up make a difference too. Dense plasterboard, insulation in the rafter depth and a well-sealed lining all help to absorb sound. If the room is being converted anyway, this is the time to plan it.

A third option is the window's position. Moving it away from the bed head, or choosing a smaller one, reduces what you hear. The fourth is the covering outside. A roof window sitting in a slope of heavy slates or tiles is shielded a little by the mass around it, though the glass itself is still the loudest part.

Blinds help a little with echo inside the room, but they do not stop the pane drumming. Our page on types of roof windows covers the choices that affect glazing.

Sometimes the sound is a fault, not a feature. Dripping inside the frame after rain, a whistle in the wind, or a tick as the sun warms the roof may point to something loose. These are worth sorting out.

When does a noisy window need a roofer?

If you hear water running behind the lining, or the sound is a drip rather than a drum, look for staining on the lining and check the sill. A rattle in the wind often means a worn seal or a sash that no longer closes tight. A whistle points to a gap at the frame. None of these is a glazing choice, and each can be put right.

Condensation running down the glass is a separate problem, usually from damp air in the room, and it can look like a leak. Our answer on Velux window condensation separates the two. If you are unsure, send a photo of the frame from inside and tell us when you hear the sound.

After a survey we describe what we find, show you photos of your own window and put one price in writing. If the cause is just heavy rain on glass, we say that too, and you can decide whether it is worth changing the glazing. Our hub page on roof windows and skylights has the rest of the options.