Does a metal roof interfere with cell phone reception?

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If you are exploring different roofing materials for your home, you're probably going to consider metal roofing as one of your options. The material offers impressive energy efficiency as well as outstanding durability, but there's a big question related to cell phone reception that you need to answer before getting a metal roof replacement.

What's making you reconsider metal? You may have heard that metal roofs can interfere with your cell phone signal. This misconception has continued for years, but is there credible research to back this claim?

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New corrugated metallic gray roof of new house

Do Metal Roofs Disrupt Cell Service?

Despite what you may have heard, metal roofs do not disrupt cell service. That said, this misinformation probably comes from the fact that your metal roof can worsen existing service problems.

If a utility tower sits close to a home or business with a metal roof, then you may experience interruptions to your service. A cell phone's radio frequency can be suspended when this occurs, but the real issue is with the tower, not the metal roof.

What Causes a Poor Cell Phone Signal?

Lots of factors can cause a weak cell phone signal, and you can't address all of them directly. The two most common causes are:

  • Poor localized coverage: Cell towers conduct the communication needed for cell phones. If your carrier has too few cell towers or they are too far apart, then your coverage will suffer.
  • Geographic reception barriers: Something that gets in the way of your cell phone reception, such as a mountain, can make it challenging to get a signal in your home. For example, if you live on one side of the mountain, and your carrier's cell tower sits on the other side, you may have trouble with dropped calls or dead service areas.
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How Can I Boost My Cell Phone Signal With a Metal Roof?

If you have a metal roof and have noticed problems with your cell service, you may need to consider creative solutions. One way to boost your service is to install a repeater system, or signal booster. It includes an antenna placed outside, a signal amplifier and an inside antenna. A cable connects all of the parts.

The outside antenna picks up the cell tower's signal and sends it to the amplifier, which boosts the signal. Then the second antenna broadcasts that signal to the surrounding area, giving you a strong connection your phone can pick up. If you have a usable signal within range, the repeater should fix your problem quickly.

Do Metal Roofs Cause Bad Connections?

Metal roofs may make bad connections worse, but they do not cause bad connections by themselves. Most often, there is already a reason for the poor connection, and the metal roof amplifies it. Repeaters are a simple and affordable solution that can remedy the problem and allow you to use your cell phone without a second thought in a home with a metal roof.

Are you searching for the right material for your new roof? Metal is a smart choice, with the durability and dependability you want. Contact us today to learn more about our roofing options.

How Can Metal Roofs Make You Connection Worse?

The degree of interference caused by a metal roof can depend on various factors, including the type of metal used, the thickness of the roof, and the distance between your location and the cell phone tower. Thicker and denser metals tend to be more effective at blocking signals, while thinner and less dense metals can have less of an impact.

It's also worth noting that while metal roofs can sometimes interfere with cell phone signals, there are often other factors at play that can affect signal strength, such as the strength of the cell phone signal in your area, the type of phone you have, and the presence of other electronic devices that could interfere with the signal.

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RoofClaim is not a licensed public adjuster under section 626.854, Florida Statutes and does not provide services as a public adjuster for insurance claims.
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