Metal Roofs And Lightning

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.

Metal roofs and lightning.

Should your metal roof be struck by lightning the electricity will be spread out across a larger area which diminishes the immediate impact. 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. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials. The concern about metal roofs attracting lightning strikes is most likely associated with the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor.

Fire is the most destructive element of a lightning strike because most roofs will immediately combust. Contrary to popular belief metal roofs can protect your home. A metal building system with a conductive metal roof and a conductive metal structural frame gives lightning a low resistance path to the earth. Structural damage stemming from lightning strikes depend on the building material s resistance to lightning.

Then the metal s fire resistant properties will protect your building even further. The less its resistance to lightning the less likely a building will suffer damage. In this regard metal building materials far exceed traditional wood framed buildings due to metal s non combustible nature. A metal building may survive a lightning strike with less damage than a similarly sized and located building made of higher resistance materials.

The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning.