Metal roofing continues to grow in popularity every year. However, many Florida residents are hesitant to make the switch to metal roofs and have many misconceptions about the roofing material. One of the biggest misconceptions is that metal roofs attract lightning, putting the home and occupants in danger.
That’s why AWS Roofing created a brief guide to teach you more about metal roofs and help you separate fact from fiction.
AWS Roofing is one of Florida’s premier roofing companies. We’ve been installing, maintaining, and repairing roofs across Florida for over 35 years, giving us the experience we need to handle any roofing project you throw our way. If you want to equip your Florida home with a high-quality metal roof, contact AWS Roofing.
Do Metal Roofs Attract Lightning?
Lightning is a flow of electrical currents between the sky and the earth. Electrons dash toward the sky along an ionization path, creating a bright flash within the lightning strike. In simplest terms, lightning looks for the path of least resistance and connects the earth’s positive electrons with negative electronics, making lightning strikes unpredictable.
However, studies show that topography attracts lightning more than metal roofing materials. Lightning is more likely to strike tall objects and mountain tops than metal roofs. For example, if you build a multi-level home in the mountains, your home will be more prone to lightning strikes than a single-story home in the plans.
How Metal Roofing Systems Protect Your Home from Lightning Strikes
Despite popular belief, metal roofs actually protect your home from lightning better than traditional asphalt shingles and other popular roofing materials. Metal is an electrical conductor and guides lightning away from your home and towards another conductor or the ground. This prevents significant structural damage that could potentially destroy other roof types.
Also, metal is non-combustible and helps prevent lightning from starting a fire. The lightning’s heat can set most roofing materials ablaze, causing immense damage that’s expensive to fix. Metal resists the heat, preventing your roof from catching fire.
However, metal and aluminum roofs aren’t invincible to lightning damage. Powerful lightning strikes can cause significant structural issues that deplete your metal roof’s appearance and integrity. However, metal roofing panels are exceedingly robust and won’t suffer as much damage as traditional shingle roofing.
Additional Benefits of Metal Roofing
Metal roofs provide numerous benefits ranging from increased durability to reduced maintenance requirements. Below are some most prevalent benefits of metal roofing.
Energy Efficient
Metal roofs are very energy efficient and help your home maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. They reflect warm sun rays during the summer, allowing you to stay cool during the hottest Arizona days. Metal roofing also enhances your home’s insulation and helps your residence preserve heat during the winter.
Installing a metal roof on your home is a great way to increase energy efficiency and reduce your monthly energy bills. In fact, studies show that metal roofs can decrease your energy payments by up to 40%!
Increased Durability
Metal standing seam roofs are one of the most durable roofing materials on the market today. They withstand turbulent weather conditions with relative ease and are incredibly fire-resistant, protecting you and your family from nearly anything mother nature throws your way.
Long Lasting
Quality metal roofs last between 40 to 70 years if well maintained. It’s one of the longest-lasting roofing materials available and will withstand the test of time for decades to come.
Easy to Maintain
Metal roofs require minimal maintenance and don’t require expensive cleaning supplies. Washing the roof panels with soap and water will ensure your roof looks its best throughout the year. However, hiring professional maintenance a few times a year is the best way to keep your metal roof in tip-top shape and damage free.
Easy to Install
Metal roof panels are very light, making them relatively easy to install. Most metal panels weigh between 50 to 150 pounds per square foot, allowing roofers to install them in less than a week (weather permitting).
Contact AWS for High-Quality Metal Roofing in FL
If you want to upgrade your Florida home with a high-quality metal roof that’s as durable as it is robust, contact AWS Roofing. Our team will handle all your roofing needs at a price that fits your budget. We’ve helped countless Florida residents enhance their homes with excellent metal roofing, and we can do the same for you.
Give AWS Roofing a call at (386) 210-0165 and see what our team can do for you today!
