Should Metal Roofs Be Grounded

Lightning is a powerful destructive force of nature and will strike a building regardless of its type of roofing.

Should metal roofs be grounded.

Metal roofs are resistant to wind and hail weigh less than asphalt shingles require little maintenance and are energy efficient. Experts say metal roofing systems aren t any more likely to be struck by lightning than other types of roofs. Wouldn t a grounded metal roof protect your home. Because metal roofs are by definition made out of metal you might be concerned about lightning and wonder whether you need to attach a lightning rod to your metal roof.

Your metal roof is not grounded and thus lighting has no reason to strike it. Still the type of roofing is one of several risk factors. In the case of a metal roofed building any electricity from a lightning strike will be safely transferred to the ground below so occupants will be unaffected. Do you need to ground metal roofs.

In general there s no need to unless it s mandated by your local building codes. The short answer is no you don t have to ground a metal roof and you will incur no additional risk if you don t ground it in most circumstances. It does not attract any extra attention from lightning and just like buildings constructed with traditional building materials any electricity from a lightning strike will will be safely transferred to the ground below so occupants will be unaffected. A metal roof in no way makes your home more vulnerable or susceptible to lightning strikes.

The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed and installed lightning protection system lps. Some actual disadvantages to metal roofs. Do you need to have your metal roof grounded. No in fact the best thing you can do for your own personal safety during a thunderstorm is to head indoors.

Metal roofing is perfectly safe. Metal roofing is safe and you won t incur additional risks if you don t ground it in most circumstances. In simple terms the answer is no. We elaborate further in this post.

Metal conducts electricity but when you are dealing with a full roof a lightning strike would ground out through the rest of the structure without causing damage or harm to the interior. Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes.