I get what you’re saying about grounding and code, but I’m still a little uneasy about the lightning risk—maybe it’s just because I’m new to all this. My house came with a metal roof (installed about three years ago), and while I’ve read the same thing about it not attracting lightning, I’ve also seen some mixed info online. A few folks in my area (southern Indiana) had issues with electronics getting fried during storms, even with everything supposedly grounded right. Not sure if it was just bad luck or maybe something missed in the install.
Noise-wise, I actually found it way louder than I expected at first. The rain is fine, but hail sounds like someone dropping marbles on a tin can. We ended up adding extra insulation in the attic, which helped a lot, but that was an extra expense I didn’t really plan for.
Insurance didn’t go up for me either, but they did ask for a detailed inspection report before renewing my policy. Maybe it’s just different standards depending on where you live? Anyway, I’m not losing sleep over lightning, but I do keep surge protectors on everything... just in case.
I get where you’re coming from, but honestly, I’m not convinced metal roofs are any riskier for lightning than anything else. I’ve got a standing seam metal roof on my place in central Kentucky—pretty similar weather to you—and we get some wild storms. Never had a direct strike (knock on wood), but I did have a neighbor’s old barn with a shingle roof take a hit last summer. Their electronics were toast, even though they had surge protectors and the whole nine yards.
From what I’ve read and seen, it’s more about how your house is grounded and less about the roof material itself. Metal actually helps disperse the energy if it does get hit, instead of catching fire like wood or asphalt might. Still, I get being cautious—surge protectors are cheap insurance.
The noise thing is real though. First big hailstorm after we moved in, my dog just about lost his mind. We ended up putting in some blown-in insulation too... wasn’t cheap, but it made a difference.
Insurance didn’t blink for us either, but they did want photos of the roof and attic. Maybe it’s just luck of the draw with adjusters?
From what I’ve read and seen, it’s more about how your house is grounded and less about the roof material itself.
That lines up with what I see during inspections. Metal roofs aren’t magnets for lightning—they just conduct better if a strike does happen. I’ve actually seen more fire risk with older wood shake roofs after a hit. Out of curiosity, did your neighbor’s barn have any kind of grounding rod or system? Sometimes folks skip that on outbuildings and it makes a difference.
And yeah, insurance can be a wildcard. Some want every angle photographed, others barely glance at the paperwork... seems to depend on who you get that day.
- Metal roofs just give lightning a path—doesn’t mean you’re more likely to get hit.
- Grounding is the big thing. If your system’s up to code, metal’s actually safer than old wood shakes (seen those smolder after a strike... not pretty).
- Outbuildings, barns, sheds—people skip grounding all the time. I’ve flagged that on a bunch of inspections.
- Insurance is all over the place. Some companies care, some don’t. I’d check your policy if you’re worried, but I wouldn’t stress just because you’ve got metal up top.
Had the same worry when we switched to metal a few years back. I checked with my insurance and they didn’t care, but I did make sure the grounding was done right.
That’s what sold me—my neighbor’s old cedar roof caught fire from lightning once. I’d rather have metal and not stress about it. Cost was higher upfront, but less hassle in the long run.“If your system’s up to code, metal’s actually safer than old wood shakes (seen those smolder after a strike... not pretty).”
