Infinite Roofing & Construction Roofing Blog

Roofing, Siding, Guttering and Solar info and topical blog - Capital Region NY

  • Call 518-444-ROOF
    Text 518-221-1003 
  • Roofing
    • Commercial Roofing
    • Metal Roofing
    • Shingle Roofing
  • Roof Replacement
  • Roof Repair
  • Siding
  • Book Estimate

Should metal roofs be grounded?

October 7, 2020 by Infinite Roofing Leave a Comment

When you decide it is time for your home or commercial building’s roof to be done, you have many options available to choose from. Shingles, rubber, and metal are among the most popular choices of roofing materials, and each tailor to different needs. Shingles take the lead for most sought after roofing material on residential homes but metal is becoming a popular choice. Metal was reserved for warehouses, factories, and sheds in the 1850’s, and in recent years people have been enjoying the sleekness it adds to their homes.

Metal roofs offer a long list of benefits that include its longevity of 40-70 years, a wide range of colors, its durability, energy efficiency, and value it can add to your home. Of course with all the positive attributes a metal roof adds, there are some cons to think about. The cost of labor, insurance, and materials have gone up and continue to rise each year. What does this mean for you? Well a metal roof is expensive, but if you are looking for a roofing system to install once and not have to ever again, then a metal roof is for you.

The reality is that no matter what you choose for a roofing system it will be costly, so it’s best to figure out how to get the most bang for your buck, and the most years. Seeking out the best roofing company in your area that specializes in metal roofing is a must. Metal is more complex than laying down shingles so you don’t want to cheap out on a roofing crew that doesn’t know what they are doing.

Now that you have weighed all of your options and finally chose a metal roof for your home, you may have some questions or concerns. Lightning strikes on a metal roof may be a concern of yours, as it is of many others who are thinking about installing metal on their homes. After much research it has been established that a metal roof is not more likely to attract lightning than any other roofing material. In fact a metal roof is thought to be even safer than other choices because of its non-combustible highest class A fire resistance rating. Metal roofs are most popular in lightning prone regions because of their fire safety.

When lightning strikes a building, it channels through the material and works its way to the ground, through a home’s pipes and electrical systems. If a roof is covered in combustible material such as flammable asphalt shingles or wooden shakes, lightning can ignite them. Comparing these materials to metal, there is just no chance of that occurring because of its fire resistance rating.  

What is grounding?

Grounding is to provide an alternative pathway for an electrical surge of electricity when lightning strikes a roof or another surface. When a metal roof is installed on a residential home, a grounding system can be formed with copper wires that are attached to each electrical box in the home, this is done to ensure that the current is dispersed. When choosing the best roofing company for the job, ask them if they have experience in grounding metal roofs or installing conducting rods. Most reputable roofing companies agree that metal roofs do not need to be grounded, and is not a necessary step.

There is no building code that requires a homeowner to ground their metals roof, assuming that all other building codes are in place. Including the use of PVC for piping to extend out of the home being strictly followed. We can all agree that metal is definitely an electrical conductor but what’s more important is the type of roofing materials that are being used. If lightning were to strike the metal roof of your home it would be grounded throughout the entire roofing structure, and no damage would be done to the roof or your family. There is no reason to be afraid to place a metal roof on your home, they are beautiful and will last almost as long as your life.

A lightening protection system (LPS), is a rod or lightning conductor made from metal and mounted on a housing structure or building to protect it from lightning strikes. Placing this rod on top of a structure will advantageously strike the rod and transfer the energy through to the ground instead of passing through the building itself.

If you think you live in an area with high amounts of storms you can take this risk assessment to ensure the protection of your metal roof and building. This assessment enables the consumer to make better informed decisions to meet the expected building requirements of safety. Lightning protection is not mandated by the national building codes, but it is required in some local codes and certain governments.

Filed Under: Metal Roofing, Roof, Roof Replacement, Roofing, Roofing Materials, Uncategorized Tagged With: metal roofing, roofing materials

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Guide to Hail Damage for Homeowners
  • Saratoga Springs, Clifton Park & Albany Commercial Roofing  
  • Types of Standing Seam Metal Roofing Systems
  • Top Roofing Shingle Colors For 2021
  • How to Land More Roofing Jobs Than Your Competitors

Recent Comments

  • rubinkowo on DIY method to remove Moss and Lichen With Vinegar
  • dentysta toruń on DIY method to remove Moss and Lichen With Vinegar
  • teeth on DIY method to remove Moss and Lichen With Vinegar
  • Dentysta toruń on DIY method to remove Moss and Lichen With Vinegar
  • Jon Dominic on How Trees Can Damage your Roof

Archives

  • April 2022
  • September 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • February 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • July 2018
  • November 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017

Categories

  • Acrylic Roof Coating
  • Algae
  • Attic Ventilation
  • Commercial Flat Roofing
  • Commercial Roof Coating
  • Elastomeric Roof Coating
  • Fire Damage
  • Flat roof
  • Gutters
  • Hail
  • insurance
  • Maintenance
  • Metal Roofing
  • Repair
  • Ridge Vent
  • Ridge Vent Leak
  • Ridge Vent Problem
  • Ridge Vents
  • Roof
  • Roof Coating
  • Roof Flashing
  • Roof Inspections
  • Roof Maintenance
  • Roof Replacement
  • Roof Shingles
  • Roof Ventilation System
  • Roofing
  • Roofing Materials
  • Rooftop Snow Removal
  • Siding
  • Silicone Roof Coating
  • Skylight
  • Tax
  • Tax Return
  • Tips
  • Uncategorized
  • Warranties
  • Wind Damage

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
· Blog · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Sitemap

Copyright © 2022 · Infinite Roofing & Construction