If the roof’s grounded right, I wouldn’t lose sleep over storms.
That’s been my experience too. I used to stress about lightning when we switched to a standing seam metal roof, but after talking with the installer and checking the grounding, it’s honestly not something that keeps me up at night anymore. What did catch me off guard was how much debris builds up around skylights—leads to leaks way faster than any storm ever did. If you’re looking at metal, my step-by-step: check the flashing, keep those gutters clear, and make sure your downspouts aren’t dumping water right next to your foundation. The rest is mostly peace of mind.
What did catch me off guard was how much debris builds up around skylights—leads to leaks way faster than any storm ever did.
That’s a good point—skylights are notorious for trapping leaves and gunk. I see more water issues from clogged flashing or blocked gutters than from lightning, honestly. As for grounding, it’s worth double-checking if you’ve got older wiring or additions. Ever notice how some folks worry about “metal attracting lightning”? It doesn’t really work that way, but I get the concern. Regular maintenance beats worrying about storms every time... unless you’re in tornado alley, then all bets are off.
I used to think metal roofs were basically lightning magnets, but after reading up a bit, it sounds like they’re actually safer than some other materials. The whole “metal attracts lightning” thing seems more myth than fact. My bigger headache is keeping the gutters clear—last storm, I had a mini waterfall over the back door. If anything, I’d worry more about leaks from all the leaves piling up than a direct lightning hit. Regular cleaning feels like a never-ending job, though...
Yeah, I used to worry about the lightning thing too, but after talking to a roofer and doing some reading, it’s not really a big deal. The gutter mess is way more of a pain for me, especially in the fall. Have you tried any of those gutter guards? I’m tempted but not sure if they’re worth the hassle or just another thing to clean.
- Lightning risk with metal roofs is super low—actually safer than some think.
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Couldn’t agree more. Leaves are relentless.“The gutter mess is way more of a pain for me, especially in the fall.”
- Gutter guards help, but only if you get the right type for your trees. Mesh ones clog less, but still need a quick brush-off now and then.
- Tried a few brands over the years... none are totally maintenance-free, but they do cut down on ladder time.
- If you’ve got lots of pine needles, watch out—they sneak through most guards.
