Metal Roof Lightning Strikes: What Corpus Christi TX Homeowners Need to Know

In a legendary experiment, scientist and philosopher Benjamin Franklin flew a kite with a piece of metal to demonstrate the existence of electricity. While details aren't too accurate, it's possible he flew the kite at roof or chimney height. Because lightning struck his kite during the experiment, does it mean metal roof lighting strikes are highly possible especially in Corpus Christi TX?

It's understandable many homeowners believe metal roofing's steel, tin, or aluminum body can attract lightning. However, even if metal is a great conductor of electricity, it isn't a lightning magnet. In truth, high or thin points or structures that cover wide ground -- regardless whether they contain metal or not -- attract lightning. Whirlwind Steel has a great supporting statement about metal roof lightning strikes being utterly impossible.

Metal Roof Lighting Strikes: The Chance of Occurrence

The concern about metal roofs attracting lightning strikes is most likely associated with the fact that metal can be an electrical conductor. Even so, metal roofs do not attract lightning and are not struck any more frequently than other roofing materials.

Lightning is attracted to:

• High points
• Thin points
• Structures that cover a large area of ground

So, the likelihood of a lightning striking your home, business or agricultural building depends on its height and size rather than the building materials you use. And, in fact, there is currently no known material that can be used to decrease the likelihood of a strike. (Continued)

There is a difference between the concept of magnets and conductors. A magnet attracts an object by pulling it towards its magnetic field. However, conductors do not have magnetic fields. In fact, lightning does not have its magnetic field either. Therefore, it only seeks high and massive structures to hit upon.

Citing The Metal Construction Association's research, Build Using Steel finds that metal is the safest material to use during a lightning storm -- even if it strikes a property using one. Here's their statement about it.

Metal Roof Lightning Strikes: Metal Roof As The Protective Barrier

What happens when lightning strikes a building? If construction materials are electrically conductive, the electrical charge will pass through these materials and not build up heat through material resistance. The threat of fire and explosion are both reduced, thus reducing the threat to human life. Furthermore, if the construction materials are noncombustible, such as a metal roof, the threat of damage due to fire is reduced.

NFPA 780 is a standard that provides information on the materials and installation of lightning protection systems used to safeguard people and property from fire risk and related hazards associated with lightning exposure. (Continued)

While the chances of metal roof lightning strikes are extremely low in occurrence, you still want peace of mind about the issue. Reputable and reliable Corpus Christi TX roofing contractors can install a lightning protection system (LPS) to guarantee metal roof lightning strikes will never do any harm to your home.

Metal Construction News has everything you need to know about LPS including the standards, permits, and other necessary information you'll need to know.

Lighting Protection Systems Against Metal Roof Lightning Strikes

While a building's structural steel will conduct lightning, it is the bonding, interconnection and grounding provided by a lighting protection system (LPS) that will dissipate lightning's harmful electricity safely to ground. Arcing and side-flashing can occur without the continuous preferred path to ground provided by LPS. The anchoring sections of metal roofing and siding systems are not constructed to carry current because, in most situations, the thickness of the metal used is insufficient to provide a guaranteed path for lightning.

When lightning strikes, an LPS offers assurance. An effective LPS not only protects roofs, walls and other structural components from direct lightning strikes, but it also shields electrical circuits, communications, process control systems and other elements that are vulnerable to indirect strikes. (Continued)

Remember, metal roof lightning strikes have an extremely low probability of striking any home. In addition, metal as a good electric conductor yet non-flammable property is a safety feature against fires in itself. In case you need help in replacing your old roof with metal or require the best installations that maximize the lifespan and performance of your roofing material, you can contact us at Galvan Builders. Learn more about what we can do by contacting us today!

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Galvan Builders Construction Company
4938 Williams Drive,
Corpus Christi TX 78411
361-857-4341
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