Fireproof Your Roof! How to Choose the Right Fire ...

Can You Really Have a Fireproof Roof?

The roof over your head serves many important functions. It's your home or business structure's first line of defense against sun, wind, precipitation, and other natural threats. Your roof also plays a significant role in maintaining the integrity of your building's infrastructure as a whole. And as an added bonus, an aesthetically-pleasing roof serves to offer a nice boost to the value of your curb appeal.

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But is there really such a thing as a fireproof roof? Unfortunately not. Even roofing materials that aren't easily flammable can still melt or warp in the face of a raging fire's extreme heat.

Fireproof vs. Fire-Resistant

While a roof that's completely fireproof may not be a realistic possibility, it is possible to have a roof that's reliably fire-resistant. There are several types of fire-resistant roofing materials available which can provide greater fire protection for your home, your property, and your most precious asset ' the people that your roof covers! Now that we've established there's really no such thing as a fireproof roof, let's uncover more about what makes for a truly fire-resistant roof.

Roof Fire Rating Standards and Basics

When we speak about roof fire-resistance, what we mean is how effective a roofing material is in terms of fire prevention from the outside of the roof structure. Interior fire hazards are another matter altogether, and potentially-combustible materials inside your building are evaluated by a different set of standards. Here's a look at how roof fire ratings work:

1. Class A Roofing

Class A roofs are the most effective against severe fire exposure. They last the longest before igniting, and are really the preferred choice for any home. Some Class A-rated standalone coverings include metal, clay tiles, slate, asphalt glass fiber composition shingles, and concrete tiles.

2. Class B Roofing

Class B roofs are known to be effective in the face of moderate fire exposure. To be rated Class B, the exterior roofing must last at least one hour before igniting. Two common examples of roofing materials which fall under the Class B rating are pressure-treated shakes and shingles.

3. Class C Roofing

Class C roofing is only rated for light fire protection. Roofing with a Class C rating is only required to last 20 minutes before igniting. Class C materials are not recommended for any application where fire-resistance is a potential concern. Some common Class C roofing materials include untreated wood shakes, shingles, plywood, and particleboard.

4. Unrated Roofing

If the roofing material in question is unrated, this means it's not even fire-resistant enough to qualify for a Class C rating. Any unrated roofing material should simply be avoided; it's simply not worth the risk! In fact, most local building codes won't allow for any type of unrated roofing material.

A Survey of Some Good, Fire-Resistant Roofing Materials

Thankfully, there are plenty of roof sheathing materials that are known to provide Class A fire protection. Here are just a few of the options available to you:

' Slate

Slate is a stone material which combines beauty, durability, and natural fire resistance. Slate is also very slow to weather or break down, and can make for an incredibly long-lasting roof. There are a few drawbacks to slate, though. It's incredibly heavy, it's expensive, and it also requires some specialized knowledge and equipment for effective installation.

' Clay Tile

Clay tiles are also produced with natural, non-combustible materials, and clay isn't as heavy as slate. Rounded clay tiles are popular for Spanish-style architecture, as well as for other buildings which carry a Southwestern or mission theme. In order to maintain Class A fire protection however, it's very important that clay tile be installed correctly. Any gaps that remain between the tile and the underlayment can allow fire embers to penetrate.

' Concrete Tile

Concrete is another great material to consider if you like the look of tile. Concrete tiles are reliably weather-resistant, they're non-combustible, and they're often more cost-effective to use as compared with other tile materials. In addition, concrete tiles come in a wide range of colors, finishes, and shapes. With concrete, you have more options for customization than you do with slate or clay.

' Asphalt Shingles

Surprised to see asphalt shingles on the list? While it's true that asphalt is itself a petroleum-based product, that doesn't mean that shingles can't be fire-resistant. Fiberglass-backed asphalt shingles actually provide some good fire protection, especially when combined with fire-resistant underlayment. And of course, many people like the fact that asphalt shingles are some of the least expensive roofing materials available today. A key drawback to shingles is that they require more upkeep, and a shingle roof will have to be replaced long before any sort of tile roof you might choose.

Two More Fire-Resistant Materials That Are Even Better

While there are many good things that can be said about tile and shingles, there are two more available roofing materials that offer even more benefits. Both of these materials provide Class A fire protection, and they also offer great style, great durability, and little need for ongoing maintenance:

1. Metal Roofing

When you get right down to it, there's really a lot to like about metal roofing. Not only will metal not burn, but metal roofing is also lightweight, doesn't corrode, and needs very little maintenance. There's lots more to like, too. Metal roofs have a long lifespan, are very effective at shedding rain and snow, help to dissipate lightning strikes, and can be certified to withstand hurricane-force winds. In addition, metal can be used on roofs of practically any pitch, from very steep to very low slope.

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2. Synthetic Roofing

Sturdy synthetics or composition shingles and tiles can be made to mimic the look of wood, asphalt, or natural tile, and they boast some highly reflective properties which can help to reduce your home's cooling costs. For example, DaVinci Cool Roof tiles have earned the ENERGY STAR designation. They're very long-lasting too; in fact, they come with a 50-year warranty. Oh, and one more thing ' they're also a Class A-rated material for fire protection!

Ready to Make Your Roof as Fire-Resistant as Possible? Call the Roofing Pros at Skywalker!

Choosing the right Class A roofing materials is certainly important for the protection of your home and family. But choosing the best materials alone isn't enough, especially if they aren't installed correctly in the first place! If you're looking for the highest-rated, most-trusted local roofing company serving both NC and VA, then look no further than Skywalker Roofing! We install ALL the Class A-rated roofing materials mentioned in this blog, and more!

Skywalker is proud to serve the NC Piedmont Triad, Piedmont Triangle, Lake Norman area, and greater Roanoke & Southwestern VA region. If you've got either a residential or a commercial roofing need, we can take care of you. But don't just take our word for it ' check out what hundreds of our satisfied customers have to say about us on Guild Quality, too! Connect with us today at ' +1 (336) 627-. We'd be honored for you to experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!

It protects your home or business from heat, wind, and precipitation, as well as other natural threats. In addition, a beautiful roof serves to enhance the curb appeal of your building and contributes to maintaining the integrity of the building.

Is a fireproof roof possible? Unfortunately, not. Despite their non-flammability, roofing materials can still melt or warp in extreme heat from a raging fire.

Fireproof vs. Fire-Resistant

While a completely fireproof roof may not be realistic, it is possible to have a reliably fire-resistant roof. Your home, property, and most precious asset ' the people covered by your roof ' are all better protected from fire with the use of fire-resistant roofing materials. After establishing that a fireproof roof does not exist, let's explore what makes a truly fire-resistant roof.

Roof Fire Rating Standards and Basics

The term roof fire-resistance refers to the effectiveness of roofing material in preventing fires from outside the roof structure. It is another matter entirely when it comes to interior fire hazards and the assessment of materials that are potentially combustible inside a building. An overview of roof fire ratings is provided below:

1. Class A Roofing

There are a few types of roofs available that can survive severe fire exposure, but class A roofs are the best choice because they last the longest before igniting, making them a great choice for any home. Metal, clay tiles, slate, asphalt glass fiber composition shingles, and concrete tiles are examples of Class A-rated standalone coverings.

2. Class B Roofing

Roofs classified as Class B are known to perform well when exposed to moderate fire conditions. To qualify as a Class B roof, its exterior surface must last for at least an hour before igniting. Shakes and shingles that have been pressure-treated are two examples of roofing materials that fall into the Class B category.

3. Class C Roofing

Roofing with a Class C rating is only rated for light fire resistance, it only needs to stay lit for 20 minutes before igniting. Materials classified as Class C should not be used for applications where fire resistance is an issue. Particleboard, plywood, and untreated wood shakes are some materials commonly used in Class C roofing.

4. Unrated Roofing

Roofing materials that are unrated aren't even fire-resistant enough to qualify for a Class C rating. Roofing materials that are not rated should simply be avoided at all costs ' the risk is simply too great! Local building codes don't allow unrated roofing materials in most places.

A Survey of Some Good, Fire-Resistant Roofing Materials

You have a variety of roof sheathing options available, all of which provide Class A fire protection. Here are a few examples:

Slate

Natural fire resistance, beauty, and durability are all characteristics of slate stone. Furthermore, slate is very resistant to weathering and can last for a very long time. Slate has some drawbacks. To install it effectively, you'll need specific knowledge and equipment. The material is incredibly heavy, it's expensive, and it's also expensive.

Clay Tile

In addition to using non-combustible, natural materials, clay tiles are also lighter than slate tiles. The use of rounded clay tiles is common in Spanish architecture, as well as in mission or Southwestern style buildings. To maintain Class A fire protection, clay tile must be installed correctly. It is possible for fire embers to penetrate through gaps between the tile and the underlayment.

Concrete Tile

Concrete is another very attractive material to consider if you like tile. Concrete tiles are reliably weather-resistant, non-combustible, and often more cost-effective to use than other tile materials. A wide variety of colors, finishes, and shapes are also available for concrete tiles. When it comes to concrete, you have a greater amount of customization options than when it comes to slate or clay.

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles make the list despite being petroleum-based while that doesn't mean that shingles can't withstand fire. When combined with a fire-resistant underlayment, fiberglass-backed asphalt shingles provide decent fire protection. Asphalt shingles are among the least expensive roofing materials on the market today, which is another reason why so many people prefer them. However, you will need to replace a shingle roof much sooner than you would any type of tile roof if you choose to go with shingles.

Two More Fire-Resistant Materials That Are Even Better

Even though tile and shingles have many benefits, there are two other roofing materials that are even more beneficial. Both materials provide Class A fire protection, and they also offer an impressive style, durability, and little ongoing maintenance:

1. Metal Roofing

When you get right down to it, metal roofing is good. Metal roofing is not only non-flammable, but also lightweight, non-corrosive, and requires very little maintenance. The benefits of metal roofs are many, including their long lifespan, effectiveness in shedding rain and snow, ability to dissipate lightning strikes, and ability to withstand hurricane-force winds. As well as having the ability to cover roofs of any pitch, metal can be used on roofs with slopes ranging from very steep to very shallow.

2. Synthetic Roofing

Synthetic or composition shingles come in a wide variety of colors and textures that mimic wood, asphalt, and natural tiles, and their highly reflective properties can help you save on cooling costs throughout the year. There are many roof tiles that have earned ENERGY STAR certifications, such as DaVinci Cool Roofs. The material is very durable and comes with a 50-year warranty. They are also rated Class A for fire resistance!

Ready to Make Your Roof as Fire-Resistant as Possible? Call the Roofing Pros at Watkins!

In order to protect your home and family, it is imperative that you choose the right Class A roofing materials. Even the best materials cannot guarantee success if they aren't installed correctly! You won't find a better local roofing company than Watkins Construction and Roofing if you're seeking the highest-rated, most trusted roofing services in Alabama! Our company installs ALL the Class A roof materials mentioned in this blog, in addition to many others!

Watkins Construction and Roofing can provide you with the help you need. Getting in touch with us can be done by calling us at 251-299-. We service areas in Gulf Shores, Spanish Fort, Foley, Fairhope, Robertsdale, and Orange Beach, AL.

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