When Aircraft Noise Meets Your Roof: How Torrance Contractors Navigate Complex Sound Insulation Requirements

Living near Torrance Municipal Airport (Zamperini Field) presents unique challenges for homeowners and contractors alike. With strict noise limits of 76 dB (A) Maximum Sound Level & 82 dB (A) SENEL during nighttime hours (2200 – 0700 Hours Monday – Friday and 2200 – 0800 Hours Saturday, Sunday, & Holidays), the South Bay has implemented some of the most comprehensive airport noise ordinances in California. For roofing contractors working in this environment, understanding these regulations isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for delivering compliant, effective solutions.

Understanding Torrance’s Noise Landscape

The City’s Noise Abatement Office aims to reduce aircraft noise and improve the Airport’s compatibility with the surrounding community through a balanced approach of the Airport’s requirements as well as the community’s needs. In pursuit of this objective, the City of Torrance is continuously seeking ways to enable pilots to use the airport while minimizing noise pollution in the community. This ongoing effort has created a regulatory environment where sound insulation becomes a critical consideration for residential and commercial roofing projects.

Flight activity is up over 55% in the past two years compared with the annual average from 2010-2020, and the City stopped enforcing a 70-year-old law that made it a noise violation to make early turns over residential areas. This dramatic increase in air traffic has placed additional pressure on property owners to invest in effective sound insulation solutions.

Sound Insulation Requirements for Roofing Projects

When working in noise-sensitive areas like those surrounding Torrance Airport, roofing contractors must navigate complex sound transmission requirements. Sound transmission class (STC) is a single number rating for describing sound transmission loss of a wall, roof, floor, window, door, partition or other individual building components or assemblies. For residential projects near airports, sound insulation is required if the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) is above 65dB but not more than 75dB.

Roofing assemblies in these areas often require specialized materials and construction techniques. Attic insulation shall be batt or blown-in glass fiber or mineral wool with a minimum R-30 rating applied between the ceiling joists. Additionally, gable vents or other attic vents that penetrate the attic enclosure shall be fitted with a 1/2″ plywood panel, with 1″ semi-rigid insulation attached to the surface facing the vent.

Royal Roofing’s Expertise in Sound-Conscious Construction

For nearly five decades, Royal Roofing has been serving the greater Los Angeles area, including the challenging South Bay market. Specializing in roof repairs, maintenance, restoration, re-roofing, and more, they serve commercial, industrial, and multi-family properties with solutions that are built to last. By treating every client like family and consistently delivering superior quality and service, they strive to become your local roofing contractor for life.

Steve Pinkus, President and CEO of Royal Roofing since 1995, brings nearly four decades of hands-on experience to the company. With more than $75 million in roofing, restoration, and repair sales, he leads with a deep commitment to quality construction and total customer satisfaction. He’s built his career and company by working with dependable people, holding high standards, and never cutting corners.

Navigating Compliance Challenges

Working as a roofing contractor torrance residents trust requires understanding both local noise ordinances and building code requirements. Building code insulation requirements for use in fire separations or exterior walls and roofs are an important component of developing acoustic environments that support occupant health, learning, productivity, recovery, safety, and wellbeing. Designing to high acoustic comfort, along with using low-emitting materials that are resistant to mold and mildew, contributes to improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

The complexity increases when considering that the sound isolation capabilities of walls, roofs, windows, and partitions should be carefully considered during the acoustic design and engineering phases of any project. The LEED v4 standard for the design of high-performance green buildings lists specific outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC) and sound transmission class (STC) requirements where buildings are within five miles of an airport serving 10,000 jets per year.

Practical Solutions for Homeowners

For property owners in the South Bay area, investing in proper sound insulation during roofing projects offers multiple benefits. Since every roof has different needs, from flat torch on roofs to slope shingle roofs, Royal Roofing offers free estimates and on-site inspections to evaluate your specific roofing requirements. They will assess any roofing challenge and come up with the best and most cost-effective solution.

Modern roofing solutions can incorporate sound-dampening materials without compromising structural integrity or aesthetic appeal. A thick layer of insulation around the wall joists can help to muffle the sounds that pass through. You can get a traditional insulator, such as fiberglass, or use a specially designed sound-canceling insulation material.

The Future of Noise-Conscious Roofing

The City’s noise study commenced on September 18, 2023, and the results of the noise study along with recommendations to the noise monitoring program were presented to the City Council on February 6, 2024. As regulations continue to evolve, staying informed about changing requirements becomes increasingly important for both contractors and property owners.

After decades in business, Royal Roofing’s values haven’t changed. They still—and always will—believe in doing the job right and standing behind their work. This commitment to quality and compliance makes them well-positioned to help South Bay residents navigate the complex intersection of roofing excellence and noise ordinance compliance.

Whether you’re dealing with a simple repair or planning a complete roof replacement, working with experienced professionals who understand local noise ordinances ensures your investment will provide lasting comfort and compliance for years to come.