The Real Story - 5 Myths of Metal Roofing

I've heard these 5 common myths about metal roofing over and over -- anything from increasing lightning strikes to loud roof noise.

These questions may be on your mind, too. That's why I'd like to answer them for you:

Will a metal roof increase the likelihood of a lightning strike?

The answer to this question is "absolutely not". Although metal conducts electricity, lightning is not drawn to it. It's unusual for lightning to hit buildings. Lightning typically strikes the highest object in an area. That's why it often strikes trees, power poles, antennas, and towers.

But if your home were hit by lightning, your metal roof would disperse the energy safely through the structure. 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.

Are metal roofs loud?

This may surprise you -- metal roofing is often quieter than an asphalt shingle roof. When installed with solid sheathing, a metal roof on your home will actually silence noise from rain, hail and bad weather better than other roofing materials.

Will my metal roof rust?

Today's metal roofing systems are built to last. Steel metal roofing has a "metallic coating" made of either zinc or a combination of zinc and aluminum. This metallic coating prevents rust from forming and is bonded to the steel at the factory. Paint is then applied over the metallic coating to provide the long-lasting color homeowners desire.

Will hail dent my metal roof?

In most cases, no. 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. But, a typical hail storm will not dent your metal roof. Today's systems also have a 120-mph wind rating (equal to an F2 tornado), meaning your metal roof is also safe from wind gusts that can accompany hail storms.

Can I walk on my metal roof to clean gutters?

Many people think you can't (or shouldn't) walk on a metal roof -- but the truth is that you can safely walk any metal roof without damaging it. Before you walk your roof, however, we recommend you talk to your installer or roof manufacturer first. They will have the details on how to walk the particular roof you have, based on the style you chose and your roof pitch.