Join the MRA | Member Login
Find a Professional
Sign Up Log In Add New Topic

TOPIC: General Discussion

cell phone signal with metal residential roof

Return to General Discussion

Return to Archive

Return to Forum

I am considering a metal roof as a replacement for asphalt shingles on my house and was told that the metal roof will interfere with cell phone signals. Is this a valid concern, especially today with more and more wireless signals being used?
Guest User

8/28/2007
I have never noticed a metal roof having any effect at all on cell phones. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/28/2007
I have a metal galvanized roof on my apt bldg, it does not interfere with cell signals or strength of signal. Tom
Guest User

8/31/2007
thanks. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/31/2007
So did the metal roof interfere with your reception? My in-laws have a metal roof installed from maybe 30 years ago, and it definitely interfered with my Cingular phone (vintage 2000). However, my newer Verizon phone doesn't have a problem. Wireless internet seems to drop off, and my GPS signals drop to zero under their roof. I'm wondering if newer roofs have the same issue.
Guest User

10/6/2008
I do not think anything has happened with the roofs themselves that would improve them but, again, I have not experienced any of these issues. My GPS does not work the best inside any building, regardless of roof. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/7/2008
We recently installed a metal roof on our home. Before there was great service on my Blackberry and my cell phone, with Verizon. Now there is zero signal. I wish there were some advice from someone on this issue. I would love to resolve it.
Guest User

3/11/2009
I now have Verizon as my cellular provider and have not experienced this issue. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

3/14/2009
I have a metal roof and my cell phone barely works inside my home. I have to stand by a window to get decent reception. If I go outside it works fine, however I can literally walk into my living room and boom the call is lost. Just like that.
Guest User

5/6/2009
The odds are that a metal roof will degrade your cell phone performance; depending on what the prevailing signal strength is in the area, it could spell the difference between having "less bars" and having no connectivity at all. The combination of metal roof, steel studs, and aluminum siding would probably be the worst--that building is virtually an RF shielded box. I'm looking at alternatives for a friend, but the best solution I've come up with thus far is locating the phone at the wall closest to the nearest cell tower. Don't put the phone up high (which usually helps in buildings), where the metal roof might "shade" it from the tower signal. Leave the phone where it gets a good signal, and use your bluetooth to carry on the conversation.
Guest User

5/27/2009
You can purchase a repeater (also called a "booster"). A good quality one is not cheap, but if you work from home or miss important calls than it is worth it. I suggest a dual band repeater with a separate onmidirectional antenna. Dual band works with most providers (except Nextel). Too technical? These links might help: http://www.privateline.com/reception/index.html http://www.repeaterstore.com/
Guest User

6/25/2009
I have a lot of trouble getting reception with my cell phone at my home My phone don't ring,If I do get calls I don't get the message for 3 to 4 hours after they leave it on my voice mail. Can it be my service I don't think so, My dad has a different service and when he comes here he gets the same thing , and its not like i live way out I am 3 mins from town
Guest User

8/11/2009
I had a lot of problems at one time with Spring service and this exact same thing. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/13/2009
Sorry -- Sprint. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

8/13/2009
i have sprint, and recently we had metal roof installed, there goes my cell phone reception in the house, i have to go outside, a bummer, and the alternative-install a "gizmo" is tooooo expensive.do you know if other companies have better cell phones to overcome this situation?
Guest User

8/31/2009
I have a metal roof and we do not get good reception in our house. we have to go outside to use our cell phones
Guest User

9/17/2009
I have had better success with Verizon but I really think my Sprint issues were not related to the metal roof. Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

9/20/2009
I have a metal roof on my home and could not get a signal in my house! Very fustrating when you work from home and have to go outside to make calls. I did some research and found a company called Unwiredsignal.com. I called them and they gave me all the information I needed to feel comfortable purchasing a Wilson cell phone signal booster for my home. The kit a purchased cost me about $560 with shipping. Setting it up only took me about an hour and a half. When I powered up the system, I went from no bars inside to full bars (current signal outside was 2-3 bars). Now, I don't have to worry about missing a call from a client or losing potential clients because of bad cell phone signal reception in my home office. I would recommend Unwiredsignal.com to any one that runs they're business from home or just needs better cell phone signal in their home. If any thing check out the 3rd party test resuls of how Wilson beats the competition. You can decide for yourself. http://www.unwiredsignal.com/?view=Wilson-Competition
Guest User

10/12/2009
thanks. Helpful info! Todd Miller
Todd Miller
Isaiah Industries, Inc.

10/12/2009
Never mind your question, how 'bout mine? How come this company doesn't ofer any dark brown or black options?? Huh???
Guest User

10/14/2009