Many types of buildings can block reception because of the materials used to construct your home/condo/apartment.
- Stucco and Concrete: Since metal mesh or metal rebar is used in these two construction types for an antenna to work effectively, it must either be placed in a window facing the direction of the towers or a roof antenna is needed to get the antenna up and over the blockage. Metal acts as a barrier that, in essence, cages the signals and bounces them around making it almost impossible for the signals to "land" on the antenna.
- Mobile homes/Aluminum Siding: Metal will reflect and bounce TV signals. A roof mounted antenna or an indoor antenna on the window facing the towers is the only option for this type of home. Vinyl siding is OK.
- Metal Roofs: The only option for homes with a metal roof is to mount the antenna up and over the roof line, so the signals are not bounced away from the antenna.
- Radiant Barriers, Foil lined conduits/duct work, Foil Heat Shields, Solar Panels: All of these things will effectively block signals so if these are present in your attic a roof mounted antenna would be necessary.
