Lightning and Metal Roofs (3 Common Myths)

Our Spring and Summer in Omaha so far this year have been unpredictable to say the least. We had an unusually long Winter and it seemed to switch to Summer overnight (with a few “Spring-like” days in between). And now as we’re officially into Summer, Spring had a change of heart and decided to come back.

Residents of the Omaha Metro have had some weird weather to contend with. We’ve seen our fair share of thunderstorms and downpours in the recent weeks. Sadly, the accompanying lightning has also done a fair share of damage on several homes in the Omaha area.

When lightning strikes a house, it it usually on a roof. And as Omaha roofing contractors, we’ve had several people ask us different roofing questions.

Here are 3 Common Myths About Lightning and Metal Roofs:

Metal Roofs Are More Likely To Be Targeted By Lightning

Conventional wisdom would tell you this is the case because metal is an electrical conductor, however, this is a myth. Metal roofing material is no more dangerous than buildings that have metal beams. The metal roof/building material directs the lightning strike to the ground, harming no one along the way. There is no evidence that metal roofs are struck more often than any other roofing material.

Metal Roofs Can Still Be Dangerous

We would argue otherwise. Metal is inflammable by nature so in the event that your home is struck by lightning, it should be safer than other roofing materials. In fact, the most destructive part of a lightning strike to a building is the fire it produces. Metal clearly is far more resistant to fire than asphalt shingles, wood shingles, or other shingle materials.

You Should Use Metal Building Material Minimally

The opposite is actually true. While it is hard to truly prevent a lightning strike, when it does happen then the structural integrity rests on the building materials. Since metal is a conductor, it can disseminate the electrical force across the building instead of drawing it in one place. The electrical force, therefore, will likely travel to the ground and cause no damage.

Conclusion

In summary, metal roofs aren’t as dangerous as many people assume. Interestingly, they can protect against the damaging effects of a lightning strike. The next time you’re designing or buying a home, realize that metal roofs serve a visual and functional purpose for your home.

If you need an Omaha roofing company to replace your metal roof (or inspect it in general), give us a call at (402) 889-3381 or fill out our contact form.