Is Metal Roofs Prone To Lightning Strikes

It is a false belief that metal roofs can increase the risk of a lightning strike.

Is metal roofs prone to lightning strikes. Lightning occurs on too large of a scale to be influenced by small objects on the ground including metal objects. 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. This may be because metal is highly conductive similar to the metal rods that are used to attract lightning. Lightning produces intense heat and often this heat can cause fires on the roof or inside the house.

In other words metal buildings or metal roofs are basically lightning magnets. The common myth is that metal buildings are more prone to lightning strikes than any other type of structure. Lightning is attracted to. While a building s structural steel will conduct lightning it is the bonding interconnection and grounding provided by a lightning protection system lps that will dissipate lightning s harmful electricity safely to the ground.

Metal roofs and lighting. Even so metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials. The misconception that metal roofs attract lightning is probably because metal itself is known as a good conductor of electricity and people therefore assume that a metal roof must attract lightning. It has been observed that installing a metal roof makes building owners think more about lightning and the dangers of lightning strikes.

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. The concern about metal roofs attracting lightning strikes is most likely associated with the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor. Metal is also a non combustible material. Metal roofing is perfectly safe.

In reality when lightning strikes it is seeking a path to ground and almost always will strike whatever object is highest in the area that also has a direct path to ground. There is a belief that metal roofs increase the likelihood of a lightning strike. Metal roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. 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.

A metal roof can protect your house from both the heat of the lightning strike and the electrical current because of its non combustible nature. There is a perception or at least a suspicion that a metal roof will increase the likelihood of lightning striking the building.