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.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of fireproof roofing sheets. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

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.

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) 627-5596. We’d be honored for you to experience the Skywalker difference for yourself!

Fiberglass-Based Asphalt Shingles

As the most economical of all residential roofing materials, asphalt shingles make up 80 percent of the U.S. market. The fiberglass-based variety also offers excellent fire resistance when installed with fire-code-compliant underlayments. The Class A–rated Centennial Slate shingle from CertainTeed boasts the affordability of an asphalt shingle and the luxe look of natural slate. $50 to $100 per square (enough shingles to cover 100 square feet), installed. CertainTeed, Valley Forge, PA; 610-341-7000.

Recycled-Rubber Tile

Want a roofing material that’s light on both your roof and your pocketbook, is friendly for the environment, and meets the toughest fire-resistance requirements? Have a look at EcoStar’s recycled-rubber Majestic Slate Traditional tiles. Manufactured using a highly effective fire retardant and underlaid with a fire-resistant barrier, this assembly is one of only a few synthetic roofing materials to get UL’s Class A fire rating. Expect to pay between $6.50 and $8.50 per square foot installed. Price variation depends on myriad factors, including region of the country, availability, and color schemes. EcoStar, Carlisle, PA; 800-211-7170.

Metal Tile

Metal tile won’t ignite, and in combination with a fire-resistant barrier material underneath, it provides Class A protection. It’s also light and requires little maintenance. This Nordman tile, for example, is made of steel coated with a durable UV-resistant fluoropolymer resin that reflects the sun’s heat and protects against abrasion. It comes with a 30-year warranty. $700 to $800 per square (enough tile to cover 100 square feet), including underlayment and installation. Scandinavian Profiling Systems Inc., Boynton Beach, FL; 561-863-1333.

Clay Tile

Traditional clay tile is both durable and noncombustible. If you use the barrel-shaped variety, make sure openings (especially those over the eaves) are sealed so flying embers can’t penetrate your roof. The Roof Tile and Slate Company sells both new and salvaged Ludowici clay tile. About $500 per square (enough tile to cover 100 square feet), not including installation. The Roof Tile and Slate Company, Carrollton, TX; 800-446-0220.

Slate

The Duesenberg of roof coverings, slate is elegant, timeless, and nearly indestructible. As a noncombustible, it receives a Class A fire rating. Suppliers, such as Evergreen, sell slate designated S1, the American Society for Testing and Materials’s highest grade, rated to last 75 years. Since slate weighs 700 to 3,000 pounds per square (the number of tiles it takes to cover 100 square feet), depending on thickness, make sure your home’s roof structure can support it before you buy. $700 and up per square, installed. Evergreen Slate Company, Granville, NY; 518-642-2530.

Stone Veneer

If you prefer to face your home with a natural material, sliced rock is a good, noncombustible option. Use a fire-rated mortar, like MetaCaulk, and periodically repair cracks to lessen the likelihood that the heat of a fire will cause the stones to pop off. The fire resistance of Natural Stone Veneer International’s fieldstone veneer is amplified if it sheathes masonry-block or ICF framing instead of wood framing that hasn’t been treated with fire-retardant chemicals. Natural Stone Veneer International; $8 to 14 per square foot.

Fiber Cement

Fiber-cement shingles and clapboards, made from a mix of portland cement, sand, and wood, usually carry a Class A fire rating, which means they can withstand 2 to 4 hours of high heat before your home’s structure starts to fail. Note that most fiber-cement sidings require a gypsum-board underlayment to reach their maximum efficacy. Also, keep in mind that cladding your home in fire-resistant siding won’t matter if embers find their way in through cracks or other flammable surfaces, so be sure to enclose eaves, soffits, and fascias with complementary fire-retardant trim. Some fiber-cement products, like Certainteed’s Weatherboards, are now molded to look like real wood. About $7 to $8.50 per square foot.

Exterior Insulation Finish Systems

An EIFS finish looks like traditional stucco but is formed by applying an acrylic-impregnated cement finish over fiberglass lath. A foam insulation layer on the back of the cement prevents cracking—a problem with cement- and gypsum-based stuccos. EIFS products like Dryvit (pictured) don’t have a fire rating because the noncombustible material simply falls off when confronted with moderate- to high-heat flames. EIFS will not compromise the fire resistance of the wall system underneath. Dryvit $8 to $10 per square foot installed.

Treated Wood

While natural wood makes for easy tinder, some companies offer clapboards and shingles impregnated with UL-approved fire-retardant chemicals. Be sure to retreat the wood regularly so it will stay fire resistant because the chemicals leech out over time. Watkin Sawmills; about $1.50 per square foot.

Masonry

Naturally fire-retardant brick or stucco walls meet or exceed one-hour fire ratings, depending on their thickness. While both noncombustible materials tend to be on the pricey side, they can offer decades’ worth of protection if installed and maintained properly. A layer of gypsum, which is 22 percent chemically combined water, underneath will slow the transference of heat from the siding to your framing. About $6 to 8 per square foot for stucco, $8 to $12 for brick. Portland Cement Association and The Brick Industry

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