There are several myths about a standing seam metal roof when it comes to weather-related issues like lightning, hail and rain.
We’re going to explode those myths right here and give you some solid scientific information that we hope will help you in choosing a standing seam metal roof for your home.
First myth: Will a metal roof increase the likelihood of a lightning strike on your home?
The answer to this question is “absolutely not.” Lightning will strike a very tall building over a shorter building, regardless of the building materials and roofing used. It makes no difference if it’s a metal roof, a tile roof or asphalt shingle. The real probability of lightning strikes has more to do with land topography, location of building and the size and height of a building.
The building materials used in the entire building can affect the chances of being damaged by thunderstorm activity. Builders using construction materials that are electrically conductive can reduce the threat of lightning strikes and damage to a building. Metal roofing is an electrical conductor, so it will actually lessen the chances of lightning strikes and damage. Besides the strike itself, the big concern with a lightning is fire. Metal roofing is also a non-combustible material, so even if hit by lightning it will not burn. Since metal roofing isn’t combustible or flammable, it’s a low risk and desirable roofing option where severe weather is concerned, especially for lightning.
Regardless of what material covers your roof it’s always a good idea to ground the structure and have a lightning rod or a strap connecting the roof to the ground.
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Second myth: Is a standing seam metal roof noisy when it rains?
Residential roofs are made of wood, covered by metal, asphalt or tile. The wood absorbs the sound of rain. Modern metal roofing is usually installed over a plywood, solid sheathing or an existing shingle roof. It will make no more noise than a regular asphalt shingle roof. A study by The Acoustic Group at the University of Luleå, Sweden, determined the amount of sound emitted when rain falls on various roofing materials. It found that metal did not register a significantly higher sound level than shingle. In fact, the sound differential between shingle and metal was only 6 decibels and the human ear does not distinguish variations in sound until the sound pressure reaches 8 decibels. Granted, a metal roof installed over open framing will register a louder sound than panels that are installed over a solid roof deck. But virtually all metal roofing systems on the market today are installed with some form of underlayment material that absorbs sound. There is more chance the homeowner will hear rain hitting a window or skylight than a metal roof.
Third myth: Will hail dent my metal roof?
A metal roof can withstand decades of abuse from extreme weather like hail, high winds, and heavy snow. In unusual cases, very large-sized hail has been known to dent metal roofs during extremely heavy storms. That very same hail also causes damage to tiled roofs and even asphalt roofing material by displacing granules and causing premature deterioration and weathering, that eventually results in a hole in the shingle. But, a typical hail storm will not dent your metal roof. Metal roofs are very tough and highly resistant to hail damage… much more so than asphalt/fiberglass shingles. In fact, many metal roofing products have the highest impact resistance and hail rating granted by the insurance commissions in the hail belt regions of the U.S. Some insurance companies even provide a reduced rate for metal roofs.
We hope we’ve given you some insight as to the fallacies regarding metal roofs and we suggest that you focus more on the aesthetics (wide selection of colors), the design elements (different roofing profiles available), and the durability and longevity of a metal roof system.
If you have any questions about weather-related topics and standing seam metal roofing you can contact your local Englert representative or go to the Metal Roofing Alliance website at www.metalroofing.com for more information or you can consult with one of their experts.