You probably know that metal roofing lasts longer than standard asphalt shingles, and you might even know that metal roofs are energy efficient, environmentally friendly, and fire resistant.
Despite all that, there are still some persistent metal roofing myths that should be addressed.
Myth 1: Metal Roofing Disrupts Cell Phone Signal
Think about all the buildings with metal roofs you’ve been in lately.
Odds are, you’ve been in restaurants, offices, stores, and even friends’ houses with metal roofs, and you didn’t lose cell phone signal in any of those instances.
The idea that metal roofing disrupts cell phone signal comes from a legitimate source: in very rare circumstances, a metal roof can amplify an existing disruption to your cell phone service and cause problems.
This doesn’t happen often, though, because there must already be something happening to block your signal, such as nearby utility towers.
If your cell signal is already strong, a metal roof isn’t going to make any difference.
Other insulating materials can affect your cell phone signal, though. For the same reason you lose cell service in elevators and tunnels, if your home has unusually thick walls and ceilings, your signal might suffer no matter what material is used.
For the very few people who have trouble with their cell phone signal after installing a metal roof, signal repeaters can solve the problem.
You’re probably not going to notice any change to your signal with a metal roof, though.
Myth 2: Metal Roofs Are Loud
Some people worry that if they install a metal roof, the sound of rain or debris falling on their roof will drive them nuts.
Farm buildings with metal roofs are a good example of this – the sound of rain on a metal shed roof can be surprisingly loud, and lots of people associate that noise with metal roofing in general.
The truth is, if your roof is installed correctly, you shouldn’t hear anything unusual.
Properly and professionally installed metal roofs have insulation between the metal and wood. For the sake of expense and speed, the extra layers and insulators are sometimes left off of industrial buildings where noise doesn’t matter, and that’s probably what you’re thinking of when you imagine the sound of rain on a metal roof.
On top of the insulation and dampeners installed with your roofing panels, if you have an attic, that helps with sound absorption, too.
Correctly installed metal roofs aren’t any louder than asphalt shingles.
Myth 3: Metal Roofing Attracts Lightning
The idea that a metal roof will attract lightning strikes is simply false.
Here are the four factors that determine your likelihood for a lightning strike:
- The topography where your house is situated – are you on top of a hill?
- The height and size of your house – is your home tall?
- The relative size and height of surrounding structures and natural features – are you the tallest structure around?
- The severity and frequency of storms – do you get a lot of lightning storms where you live?
That’s it.
Notice the things that aren’t on the list, like the materials used in construction or the use of electronics inside.
Lightning most consistently strikes the tallest object. Your metal roof isn’t going to contribute at all to the likelihood of lightning strikes, and if you do get struck by lightning, your risk of injury is actually lower because metal is noncombustible.
Have questions about metal roofing? Get in touch.
