Choosing the Most Fire Resistant Roofing Material. Your roof performs many important functions. Sun, wind, rain, and other natural forces threaten your home or business through your roof. The integrity of your roof is equally important to the integrity of your entire building’s structure. An aesthetically pleasing roof also serves to increase the value of your home’s curb appeal.
Is a fireproof roof possible? Sadly, no. The heat from a raging fire can still cause roofing materials to melt or warp, even ones that aren’t easily flammable.
Fireproof vs. Fire-Resistant
There is no such thing as a fireproof roof, but a roof can be reliable when preventing fires. Fire-resistant roofing materials allow you to better protect your home, your property, and your most valuable asset – the people whose roof you cover – from fires. Now that we’ve established that a fireproof roof does not exist let’s discover how to make a truly fire-resistant one.
Roof Fire Rating Standards and Basics
We mean how well a roofing structure protects the roof structure from fire from the outside by roof fire resistance. Fire hazards inside your building are entirely different, and a different set of standards rates combustible materials within your building. Here’s an overview of roof fire ratings:
1. Class A Roofing
Roofs with Class A ratings are the best for protecting against severe fire exposure. Considering how long they last before igniting, these are truly the best choice for any home. Metal, clay tiles, slate, asphalt glass fiber composition shingles, and concrete tiles are Class A-rated standalone roof coverings.
2. Class B Roofing
Despite moderate fire exposure, Class B roofs are known to be effective. The exterior roofing must last at least one hour before igniting to be rated Class B. Pressure-treated shakes and shingles are two examples of roofing materials that fall under the Class B rating.
3. Class C Roofing
Fire protection is only provided by Class C roofing. It only takes 20 minutes for a Class C roofing to ignite. It is not recommended to use Class C materials for applications that could pose a fire hazard. Untreated wood shakes, shingles, plywood, and particleboard are all examples of Class C roofing materials.
4. Unrated Roofing
This means that the roofing material in question is not even fire-resistant enough to qualify for a Class C rating. A roof made from an unrated material should be avoided at all costs. There are no non-rated roofing materials allowed by most local building codes.
A Survey of Some Good, Fire-Resistant Roofing Materials
The good news is that plenty of roofing materials are known to provide Class A fire protection. Here are some of your options:
• Slate
Stones such as slate offer beauty, durability, and natural fire resistance. Furthermore, slate is very slow to weather or break down, making it an extremely durable roof material. However, slate does have a few disadvantages. In addition to being extremely heavy and expensive, it requires specialized equipment and knowledge for installation.
• Clay Tile
Clay tiles are also made from natural, non-combustible materials, and clay isn’t as heavy as slate. Spanish-style architecture and Southwestern and mission-style buildings are both popular for using rounded clay tiles. However, clay tile installation must be done correctly to maintain Class A fire protection. Fire embers can get into gaps left between tiles and underlayments.
• Concrete Tile
For those who prefer the look of tile, concrete is another great option. In comparison to other tile materials, concrete tiles are more affordable and weather-resistant, and non-combustible. The different colors, finishes, and shapes of concrete tiles add to their appeal. Slate and clay do not offer as many customization options as concrete.
• Asphalt Shingles
Do you find it surprising that asphalt shingles made a list? Although asphalt is a petroleum-based material, that doesn’t mean that shingles cannot resist fires. Combined with fire-resistant underlayment, glass-backed asphalt shingles offer decent fire protection. People also enjoy the fact that asphalt shingles are among the least expensive roofing materials available today. Shingles have the major drawback of requiring more maintenance; shingle roofs need to be replaced much more frequently than tile roofs.
Two More Fire-Resistant Materials That Are Even Better
Despite the many benefits attributed to tiles and shingles, two other roofing materials offer even more advantages. In addition to offering great style, durability, and low maintenance, both of these materials provide Class A fire resistance:
1. Metal Roofing
A metal roof has a lot to offer when it comes down to it. Metal does not burn and is lightweight, not corroding, and requires very little upkeep. Metal has many other advantages. Besides having a long lifespan, metal roofs shed water and snow efficiently, diffuse lightning strikes, and resist hurricane-force winds. A metal roof can also be used on virtually any slope, from very steep to very flat.
2. Synthetic Roofing
Synthetic shingles and tiles can mimic the appearance of wood, asphalt, or natural stone, and they are highly reflective and can lower your home’s cooling costs. ENERGY STAR certification, for example, is given to DaVinci Cool Roof tiles. Moreover, they are very durable; in fact, they are covered by a 50-year warranty. Also, they’re a Class A-rated fire-resistant material.
Synthetic Shingles
Would you like your roof to be as fire-resistant as possible? Contact Skywalker Roofing!
For the protection of your home and family, choosing the right Class A roofing materials is crucial. It isn’t enough to choose the best materials, especially if they aren’t installed properly! Look no further than RRG Roofing if you need a reliable, highly-rated, and most-trusted local roofing company that serves both NC and GA! Among other roofing materials, we install ALL of the Class A-rated roof materials mentioned here.
We are proud to serve the Dahlonega, GA and Murphy, NC. Call RRG Roofing today at 678-325-6949.
