One common question that metal roof companies receive about metal roofing is whether it attracts lightning and can be a danger to your home or building. Fortunately, the idea that this type of roof increases your home’s risk of being struck by lightning is a myth.
Metal roofing has many favorable qualities and is available in durable standing seam panels or sheets that mimic the look of other materials. When correctly installed by metal roof services, it also requires very little in the way of metal roof repair over the years. In addition to these positives, it will not attract lightning despite what many people believe.
Metal Attracts Lightning, Right?
Actually, no. Metal conducts electricity. It does not necessarily attract lightning. Even though it stands to reason that this type of roof would attract lightning, this is usually false. While anything is possible, metal roof companies can attest to the fact that if you have this type of material installed on your home or commercial building, it does not particularly increase the possibility that you will be struck and require metal roof repair to your structure.
What Does Attract Lightning Strikes?
Lightning typically strikes objects that stand higher than the rest of their surroundings, reaching further upward toward the sky. This is why trees and utility poles, both of which are made of wood, are some of the most common targets struck. Yet when it comes to striking buildings, metal roof services point out that the possibility of being struck relates more to building location and size than it does to the type of roofing on your building.
The larger the building and the higher its elevation, especially if in an open area with few other structures or trees, could increase the chance any roof faces of being struck - not its material.
Is Metal Roofing Safe In A Lightning Storm?
Yes. Your home or building is no more likely to be struck by lightning than any other building just because a metal roof has been installed by a roof company. As a matter of fact, your building is probably safer than many other buildings with other types of roofing.
Experienced metal roof services point out that on the off chance your building is randomly struck due to its location, elevation, or some other contributing factor, your roof will actually absorb the electrical energy, diffuse it, and disperse it over its surface. This reduces the impact of the strike, allowing energy to move safely to the ground without damaging the building. Your roof will not catch fire like most others do after being struck; in most cases, you won’t even need any kind of metal roof repair.
Before you discount the possibility of adding a strong, beautiful metal roof to your home or building because you believe there is an increased risk of a lightning strike, you might want to consider it again. Metal roof companies agree that these roofs are no more likely to be struck by lightning than those made of any other material. Best of all, metal is safer than most other systems should a strike occur and requires minimal metal roof repair.
When properly installed by experienced metal roof services, a metal roof can be one of your most building protective options!