Does a Metal Roof Attract Lightning?

July 20th, 2015

Does a Metal Roof Attract Lightning?

During lightning season especially, homeowner often ask this question.  The answer is no, a metal roof does not attract lightning.  Height, pointy shape, and isolation are the dominant factors controlling where it will strike.  So, the presence of metal makes virtually no difference where it strikes.

The question people should ask is; How can a metal roof help protect you from lightning? 

A metal roof is possibly the safest type of roof to have on your home in the unlikely event of a lightning strike.  According to experts, if a metal roof were hit by lightning, the metal roof would disperse the energy safely through the structure.  Also, a metal roof will not catch fire during a lightning strike since metal roofing isn’t combustible or flammable.

There are many roofing options for homeowners these days.  Choosing a metal roof can be a desirable and low risk roofing option when severe weather extremes are a consideration.  Having a metal roof on your home provides some advantages over some other roofing materials.  But, the safest shelter available during a storm is a home equipped with a professionally-installed lightning protection system.  For more information, please visit http://lightning.org/knowing-fact-from-fiction-can-save-lives-and-prevent-lightning-injuries/

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