Why does my house creak in the wind?

Question

My house is a semi-detatched steel framed house. I think its whats called a cruden. The house is great and feels solid enough. However when there is very strong gales i.e. 40 mph plus the house creaks and groans loudly! Sometimes I think the noise is coming from the roof trusses (also steel) and sometimes from the gable end of the house. I was told that it could be because the houses eves are open and the wind is getting through them into the roof space... Any ideas?

Answer 1

You are experiencing the flaw in metal truss construction. They are screwed together giving them a built in flex. When the wind applies pressure to the structure, the structure flexes and the attached wood creaks. If it was wind getting into your attic space, you would hear screaming and whistling, not creaks.

Answer 2

That's the problem with steel, it doesn't move but the wood does, so whenever you get any shifting it's the material added to the steel. It will settle after awhile but it is annoying while it happens.

Answer 3

Wind puts pressure against one side of your house, pushing on the wall, which pushes the structural members. 40 mph is pretty strong wind--you really feel it when you drive at 40 mph and put your hand out the window.

All house construction is designed to give a little. So, when the wind gusts, your house sways a little. The creaking is caused by the various bits rubbing against each other.

Here's a fun thing to do! Use a tape recorder to capture the best and loudest creaking, then play that back with spooky music during Halloween Trick or Treat.