METAL ROOFING VS LIGHTNING
Mar 13, 2024
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METAL ROOFING VS LIGHTNING
NEW GENERTAION IDEAL ROOFING TILES
As a corrosion-resistant metal roofing manufacturer we often receive the following questions:
Do metal roofs mean lightning is more dangerous?
Nice! The JHL ROOF roof is made of stone-coated steel, which leads many to wonder if metal roofs will attract lightning strikes during thunderstorms.
Our longer answer is: Metal roofs are no more susceptible to lightning strikes than other non-metallic substrates. In fact, the likelihood of a lightning strike is determined not by the roof material but by the height and location of the building. The most likely targets of vertical lightning are the tallest nearby objects such as trees, utility poles, towers, fences, antennas, prominent hills, and buildings.
If the building is the tallest object, then possible targets would be the highest point of the building, such as a chimney, TV antenna, or lightning rod. Lightning will follow the shortest conductive path to the ground, which may be a suitable lightning protection body, a damp wall or the edge of a building. A well-grounded building will not be damaged when lightning passes through it. However, buildings with wooden or thatched roofs pose special fire risks if they are not protected by lightning rods.
Advantages of metal roofs during thunderstorms
It may sound surprising, but when it comes to lightning, a metal roof can be an advantage rather than a disadvantage.
- Metal roofing is a non-combustible material, so it will not burn even if struck by lightning.
- Metal roofing is also an electrical conductor, so it will actually reduce the chance of lightning strikes and damage.
Considering the above benefits, metal roofing may be one of the best roofing materials when you are trying to protect your home from lightning strikes and damage.
