What is the best roofing material for lightning

Here’s a brief overview of how common roofing materials perform when it comes to lightning and fire.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are one of the most common roofing materials, mainly due to the fact that they are the cheapest. Given that asphalt shingles don’t conduct electricity and, as a petroleum-based product, are flammable, they aren’t the best choice for homeowners in lighting-prone regions.

Clay or Concrete Tiles

Concrete or clay tiles are naturally fire-resistant materials and typically come with a Class A fire rating. It’s important to note that while clay or concrete tiles have excellent fire resistance, there is much to be desired when it comes too performance. Simply walking on a tile roof can cause damage, so homes in regions prone to hail, hurricanes, tornadoes or high winds may want to consider a stronger roofing material.

Wood Shingles or Shake

When it comes to fire, a wood roof is one of the worst choices. Wood is obviously a combustible material and as such, it requires substantial treatment and fire-retardant to achieve a Class B or Class A fire rating. Insurance carriers typically won’t insure homes with wood roofs in wildfire areas, even after they’ve been treated with fire-retardant, so if you live in a lighting-prone or fire-prone region, you’ll probably want to avoid a wood roof.

Metal Roofing

As mentioned earlier, metal roofs do not attract lightning. In fact, a metal roof can actually make a lightning strike much less dangerous. As a naturally non-combustible and conductive material, a metal roof provides an easier path to the ground, spreading the force out from the lightning strike and preventing concentrated hot points. Nearly all metal roofing products have a Class A rating for fire and are resistant to neatly anything Mother Nature has to offer.

Industrial Strength Durability of Metal Roofing

The popularity of metal roofing is due to its longevity, durability and high ROI. Noteworthy benefits of a metal roof include:

· Longevity: A metal roof has a lifespan that is two to three times longer than traditional roofing materials, such as asphalt shingles.

· Energy Efficient: Metal roofs are one of the most energy-efficient materials on the market and can reduce cooling costs by up to 25%.

· Insurance Discounts: A metal roof can lower your homeowner’s insurance by up to 35%. (Check with your local insurance carrier for available discounts).

· ROI: A metal roof can increase home value by up to 6%.

As one of the most durable roofing products, metal roofs boast impressive claims when it comes to withstanding the elements, including:

· Hail: The highest Class 4 rating for hail impact.

· Wind: The ability to withstand hurricane-force winds.

· Fire: The highest Class A rating for fire.

· Snow and Ice: Non-porous metal can easily withstand repeated freeze and thaw cycles.

Stone-coated metal roofing bridges the gap between industrial durability and design versatility, giving homeowners the benefits of industrial metal roofing without sacrificing on style.