Had the same worries when we switched to metal a few years back. Honestly, I thought the whole house would turn into a lightning magnet, but turns out it’s actually safer than I expected—just conducts the strike straight to ground if you’ve got proper grounding. We did get zapped by a surge once though, and our old fridge never recovered… Surge protectors helped with the computers, but not everything else. Has anyone here actually installed one of those whole-house surge things? Curious if it made any difference with insurance or peace of mind.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’m actually a bit more skeptical about the whole “metal roof is safer” thing. Sure, it’ll conduct a strike to ground if everything’s installed right, but in older homes or places with questionable grounding, that’s a big “if.” I’ve seen a couple properties where the surge fried way more than just electronics—one tenant lost their HVAC control board. Whole-house surge protectors are great in theory, but they don’t always catch every spike, especially with direct hits. Insurance didn’t budge for us either, unfortunately... Maybe it’s just our area, but I wouldn’t call it total peace of mind.
Sure, it’ll conduct a strike to ground if everything’s installed right, but in older homes or places with questionable grounding, that’s a big “if.”
That’s a fair point—grounding is everything when it comes to lightning safety, and I’ve definitely seen older properties where the electrical system leaves a lot to be desired. But I’d still argue that a metal roof itself isn’t the weak link. In fact, metal’s non-combustible nature can actually help prevent fire if lightning does hit, compared to asphalt shingles or wood shakes that can ignite more easily.
I’ve worked on a few retrofits where we added proper grounding rods and bonding for older homes getting new metal roofs. It’s not always cheap, but it’s usually doable, and it really does make a difference. The surge issue you mentioned is real—lightning doesn’t always play by the rules, and even the best surge protectors can get overwhelmed. But in terms of fire risk and structural damage, I’d still take metal over most other materials.
Insurance is another beast entirely... I’ve seen claims go both ways, depending on the adjuster and the policy fine print. Around here (Midwest), most folks with metal roofs seem to sleep a little easier during storm season, but I get why you’d be cautious if you’ve seen things go sideways.
But I’d still argue that a metal roof itself isn’t the weak link. In fact, metal’s non-combustible nature can actually help prevent fire if lightning does hit, compared to asphalt shingles or wood shakes that can ignite more easily.
Yeah, I’m with you on that. The fire risk is way lower with metal, and that’s honestly one of the main reasons I went with it when I replaced my old roof. I live in a spot where summer storms roll through like clockwork, and I’ve seen what happens to neighbors with wood shakes—one bad strike and it’s a mess. Metal just shrugs it off, as long as everything’s grounded right.
That said, I totally get the concern about older homes and questionable grounding. My place was built in the 60s, and when I had the metal roof put on, the electrician found all sorts of weird stuff—old ground wires that didn’t go anywhere, random connections, you name it. Ended up having to redo a bunch of it, which wasn’t cheap, but it felt worth it for peace of mind. I’d say if someone’s thinking about switching to metal, especially on an older house, budgeting for electrical upgrades is just part of the deal.
The surge thing is tricky, too. I’ve got whole-house surge protection, but like you said, lightning doesn’t always follow the script. I lost a router and a TV last year even with the protection in place. Still, I’d rather deal with replacing electronics than rebuilding after a fire.
Insurance is a wild card. Mine actually gave me a small discount for the metal roof, but I’ve heard of folks getting dinged for “increased lightning risk,” which seems backwards to me. Maybe it just depends on who you talk to at the company.
All in all, I’d take the trade-offs. Metal’s not perfect, but for storms and fire, it’s hard to beat. And honestly, I kind of like the sound of rain on it... feels cozy, even if the dog disagrees.
That bit about old wiring hits home. I manage a few properties built in the 50s and 60s, and every time we do a roof upgrade, the electrical quirks come crawling out. One place had a ground rod that was literally just stuck in a flower bed—no joke. We had to bring in an electrician to sort it out before the metal panels went on. I’ve noticed insurance companies can be all over the place, too. Some love metal roofs, others act like you’re inviting trouble. Personally, I’d rather deal with a fried modem than a house fire any day. The rain noise is a bonus for me, but tenants are split—some love it, some complain it’s like living inside a drum.
