Steel Roofs And Lightning

The metal construction association notes that metal roofs do not attract lightning.

Steel roofs and lightning.

It s understandable many homeowners believe metal roofing s steel tin or aluminum body can attract lightning. Metal roofs do not attract lightning strikes. Lightning is a powerful destructive force of nature and will strike a building regardless of its type of roofing. Fire is the most destructive element of a lightning strike because most roofs will immediately combust.

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. Metal roofs are no more attractive to lightning than any other type of roofing material. Should your metal roof be struck by lightning the electricity will be spread out across a larger area which diminishes the immediate impact. Nor do metal roofs protect a building against lightning.

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. It has been observed that installing a metal roof makes building owners think more about lightning and the dangers of lightning strikes. Then the metal s fire resistant properties will protect your building even further. Fractured materials can generate dangerous shrapnel and it s not uncommon to find fragments embedded in walls after a lightning strike.

Decra stone coated steel is the only roofing material that adds shear strength to the roof to endure the forces of lightning shock waves as well as the high winds and hail which accompany thunderstorms. However even if metal is a great conductor of electricity it isn t a lightning magnet. In this regard metal building materials far exceed traditional wood framed buildings due to metal s non combustible nature. In truth high or thin points or structures that cover wide ground regardless whether they contain metal or not attract lightning.

The only way to protect a building is with a properly designed and installed lightning protection system lps. 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.