Are you thinking of installing a metal roof to your new or existing home? Wanting to take advantage of how durable and resistant to deterioration metal roofs are? Worried about the possibility of lightning strikes because of the material of your new roof? Relax. You are not the only person wondering whether grounding metal roofs is necessary. Fortunately, you have come to the right place to learn about grounding metal roofs, especially if you are a first-time property owner, as we will have a comprehensive discussion of the grounding considerations for your new metal roof.
Should You Ground Your Metal Roof?
The short answer is no. Metal roofs do not necessarily attract lightning strikes. So you do not you do not absolutely need to ground your metal roof. Moreover, you won’t expose yourself to risk if you don’t ground your metal roof.
Let’s have our facts right before diving into why metal roof grounding isn’t necessary. Yes, metal conducts electricity. Yes, lightning strikes anything that provides the quickest path to the earth. And yes, metal is a non-combustible material.
So while metals conduct electricity, it is important to remember that a lightning strike can’t ground out through an entire metal roof. So instead of grounding out through the metal roof, it is conducted towards the ground or another nearby conductor. And as earlier mentioned, metal roofs are non-combustible. For this reason, property owners can enjoy more peace of mind knowing that their roofs will survive lightning strikes.
Some municipalities can enforce policies that require the grounding of metal roofs. Nevertheless, international Building Codes don’t deem metal roof grounding necessary. So, which way should you go? Read on and find out.
Considerations To Make When in a Dilemma on Whether To Ground Your Metal Roof
First, note that “grounding” directly connects the earth and your property’s electrical components. Yes, this is important since currency surges and other electrical malfunctions can damage your home appliances and equipment.
1. Local Building Codes
You will realize that international building codes do not emphasize the need to ground metal roofs. However, some local municipalities advise home and property owners to ground their metal roofs for more peace of mind, especially when lightning protection is a priority in a place where lightning strikes often.
Individuals who live in regions prone to lightning strikes can rely on the services of engineers to help them assess if lightning protection is necessary. These engineers use the NFPA 780 guidelines to determine whether property owners need lightning protection. Check out the 2017 Edition of NFPA 780 Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems if you want to understand more about effective ways to protect your home from lightning.
2. Topography
Do you reside in an area full of hills and flatlands? If so, you are more likely to be a victim of lightning strikes. For this reason, it can be a good idea to invest in roof grounding as well as the installation of a lightning protection system. You may want to ground your metal roof based on the assessment of the engineer you consult.
3. Proximity to Other Developments
Did you know that proximity to other developments and structures will provide lightning protection? So, always consider that if your property or home is developed in an area that boasts things like trees or other physical structures, that alone can help you avoid lightning strikes. The absence of nearby structures should be a pointer to the need for metal roof grounding.
4. Lightning Frequency
Some areas get lightning more frequently than others. With this in mind, it will help to upgrade to a metal roof if you live in these areas.
Conclusion
We hope that the information in this article has offered some clarity on if grounding your New Braunfels metal roofing is right for your specific situation. Safety should always be a huge priority, especially when it comes to your home. If you have any more questions or considerations about the installation of metal roofing in Seguin, as well as grounding them and other forms of safety regarding metal roofs or roofing repair in New Braunfels TX, give Divided Sky a call, as one of the leadings New Braunfels roofing companies, we would be happy to help.
