When getting a new roof, there are a lot of things to think about. From color to type of material, you may find that the process is a bit more complicated than you thought at first. One of the most important decisions you’ll have to make about your home’s roof is whether or not to use fire-resistant materials.
But what are fire-resistant roofing materials, and are they worth the extra money? Below, we’ll go over everything you need to know about fire-resistant roofing materials so you can make an informed choice for your home.
What are roofing materials that won’t catch fire?
Fireproof roofs don’t exist, so that’s the first thing you need to know to clear up any confusion.
Yes, it can resist fire, but it can’t stop it.
How do they differ?
If something is fireproof, it can’t catch fire or burn at all. You can choose the next best thing, which is fire-resistant, since that doesn’t exist.
Materials that can’t catch on fire are stronger, burn more slowly, and protect your home longer. Unlike wood shakes and low-quality asphalt shingles, which would catch fire quickly, metal and stone don’t react positively or negatively to fire.
How are materials tested to see if they can stand up to fire?
The rating of roofing materials is based on a standard fire test. The materials are put through a fire test to see how well they can stand up to heat. What is being tested, exactly? Materials are given ratings during a fire test based on:
- How fast the fire spreads through the roof covering
- How easy it is for the materials to move and make embers
- How the fire spread over the roof’s surface
But don’t stress out about trying to remember all of these. If you want to choose the right material for your new roof, all you need is a basic understanding of how different materials are grouped.
Types of roofing materials that don’t catch fire easily
Materials that are fire-resistant are rated from A to C. Materials with an A rating offer the most protection for your home, while materials with a C rating offer the least. If there is no rating, the material doesn’t protect against fire at all.
Here’s a look at what the different ratings look like if you’re thinking about your options:
Group A:
Class A is the best way to protect your home from fire. In a fire, a roof made of Class A materials will last the longest before catching on fire. Things in Class A include:
- Slate
When it comes to roofing materials, this natural stone is the best. With a lifespan of about 75 years, your roof won’t need to be replaced for a very long time.
- Clay Bricks
Clay tiles are often used in warmer places where fire danger is always a concern. Clay tiles are strong and can’t catch fire. They give your home a stylish look and keep it safe.
- Metal
Metal roofing has a lot of benefits, like being easy to take care of and blocking UV rays. When you consider that metal is cheap and doesn’t catch fire, it’s easy to see why it’s a strong contender when it comes to choosing a roof covering.
- Asphalt shingles made of fiberglass
Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof in the U.S. They are cheap, stylish, and safe from fire.
All of these materials are great choices if you want to make your home safer from fire. Most Class A materials can stand up to flames for 2 to 4 hours before they catch fire.
Group B:
Class B materials protect your home from fire about as well as class A materials, but not as well as class C materials. These things should last for an hour before they catch fire.
Shakes and shingles that have been treated with pressure are some of the most common types of Class B fire-resistant materials.
Group C:
The least amount of protection for your home comes from Class C. The only kind of fire test that these materials can pass is a light one. Some examples of things in Class C are:
- Shakes and shingles made of raw wood
- Particleboard\sPlywood
These things can last for 20 minutes without catching fire. Even though they don’t provide much protection for your home, they do provide some.
Roofing Materials Without Ratings
Roofing materials that aren’t rated don’t protect against fires at all. Most building codes won’t even let you use roof materials that aren’t rated.
But if these things are treated with chemicals that make them less likely to catch fire, their rating can go up.
In the end, if you want to give your home the best protection possible against fire, you should use Class A materials.
What a fire-resistant roof can do for you
Besides the obvious benefit of safety, a roof that can’t catch fire has other advantages, such as:
Comfort of Mind
If a stray ember comes your way, a roof made of materials that don’t catch fire will hold up much better. Embers carried by the wind from fireworks on the 4th of July or a nearby fire won’t start a fire on a roof made of fire-resistant materials.
Insurance Perks
Insurance companies like it when you take steps to protect your home, which is why some of them are willing to give you discounts on your homeowners’ insurance if you have Class A roofing.
Are roofing materials that don’t catch fire the best choice for your home?
Materials for roofs that can’t catch fire tend to cost more, but not necessarily because they can’t catch fire. Instead, it’s because of how well they work. Slate is a good example. Slate is a natural stone that looks good and lasts a long time. In addition to being naturally resistant to fire, it is also very strong and will last for a very long time as a roofing material.
This doesn’t mean that all roofing materials that can stop fires will cost a lot. Asphalt shingles are cheap and don’t cost nearly as much as slate tiles.
Both of these choices are made of Class A materials that will keep your house safe from fire. The right one for your home will depend on what you like and how much money you have.
