Will Metal Roofs Attract Lightning

So the likelihood of a lightning striking your home business or agricultural building depends on its height and size rather than the building materials you use.

Will metal roofs attract lightning.

From what we understand about lightning it s clear that metal roofing is no more likely to attract lightning than other roofing materials. Structures that cover a large area of ground. It holds no extra attraction to lightning. The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning.

And in fact there is currently no known material that can be used to decrease the likelihood of a strike. After all metal is highly conductive just like the materials used in lightning rods that are used to attract lightning strikes so doesn t it stand to reason that the metal roof will attract lightning too. While metal roofs help protect your home and family from damage and injuries due to lightning they don t lessen the probability that a bolt of lightning could strike your home. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials.

Generally speaking metal roofing is quite safe. For what lightning rods are used. First off lightning rods are intended as a precautionary measure against lightning not something that attracts them. There is a perception or at least a suspicion that a metal roof will increase the likelihood of lightning striking the building.

Lightning rods are made of metal so it must mean that metal roofs attract lightning as well right. Metal roofing materials are non combustible so if a metal roof does get struck by lightning it is less likely to result in a fire than some other types of roofing materials such as cedar shakes. Metal roofs do not attract lightning. Unfortunately this is a widespread myth.

It has been observed that installing a metal roof makes building owners think more about lightning and the dangers of lightning strikes. Extensive research on lightning protection reveals that metal roofing is no more likely to attract a lightning strike than any other type of conventional roofing material. In fact as a non combustible material with the highest class a fire resistance rating metal roofing is the most desirable material for homes and businesses in lightning prone regions. Metal is one of the best materials you can consider for your roof.

Surprisingly one of the main fears people hold about metal roofs is without merit. Unfortunately the material a homeowner selects for their home s roofing does not impact the probability of a lightning strike. So next time someone asks you about your roof and whether or not it attracts lightning you can share this myth busting knowledge.