Class A is the most fire resistant and should be the choice of anyone living in areas prone to wildfires. The most common Class A roof coverings include asphalt and fiberglass composite roof tiles and concrete or clay roof tiles. Slate is a stone material that combines beauty, durability and natural fire resistance. Slate is also very slow to wear out or break down, and can become an incredibly durable roof. However, there are some drawbacks to the whiteboard.
It's incredibly heavy, expensive, and also requires some specialized knowledge and equipment for effective installation. Clay tiles are also produced from natural, non-combustible materials, and clay is not as heavy as slate. Rounded clay tiles are popular in Spanish-style architecture, as well as in other buildings that have a Southwestern theme or a mission. However, to maintain class A fire protection, it is very important that the clay tiles are properly installed.
Any space left between the tile and the base may allow embers to penetrate. Concrete is another great material to consider if you like the look of tiles. Concrete tiles are reliably weather resistant, non-combustible and are often more cost-effective to use compared to other materials for floor tiles. In addition, concrete tiles come in a wide range of colors, finishes and shapes.
With concrete, you have more customization options than with slate or clay. Are you 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 roof tiles can't be fire resistant. In fact, asphalt shingles with fiberglass backing provide good fire protection, especially when combined with a sturdy base layer to the fire. And of course, many people like the fact that asphalt shingles are some of the most affordable roofing materials available today.
A key drawback of shingles is that they require more maintenance, and a tile roof will have to be replaced much sooner than any type of tile roof you might choose. Metal roofs are considered to be one of the best fire roofs. DECRA Metal Roofing products, for example, are made of steel with a fireproof stone coating and obtain the highest classification of class materials Fire fighting. In addition, the interlocking protective panel system of DECRA's stone-clad metal roofs greatly reduces the risk that the roof and roof structure will catch fire due to flying embers.
That said, materials with high fire resistance represent a great improvement over older materials. Low-quality wood blocks and asphalt shingles could catch fire because of a forest fire or a building fire. If the structural integrity of the roof fails during a fire, materials can fall and fuel the fire or cause one inside the building. Metal roofing is a great fire resistant roofing option. Metal doesn't burn under fire, and although it can melt over time, few fires can get hot enough to do so.
Metal roofs have wooden covers (like all roofs), so this part is vulnerable to internal fires and can be vulnerable to external fires even if the metal melts or deforms. That said, not all metal roofing systems are designed with the same quality. It's important to ensure that the specific metal roofing system you choose passes Class A tests. Metal roofing is an expensive option in the short term, but less expensive in the long term.
These roofing systems can last 40 to 70 years. They have a lot of color and style options, though not as many as many asphalt shingles. If you can manage the initial investment, they can be a great option. While shingles aren't as good as metal roofs at resisting fire, you're likely to be very impressed by their performance.
They are very unlikely to catch fire or start a fire if they fall. Like metal, they can melt and deform under extreme heat. They also offer some advantages over metal roofs and other types of roofs that you may appreciate. They're more affordable from the start, easier to install, and come with a much wider range of styles and colors.
In fact, CertainTeed has types of shingles that are designed to replicate the look of wood slats. If you like wood slats but are concerned about their poor fire performance, these are an excellent option. You can also get asphalt shingles that look like slate shingles. Slate tiles are another possible fire-resistant roofing material.
Slate is rock and is therefore highly resistant to flames, and is even unlikely to melt and deform when exposed to high temperatures. However, slate has many disadvantages as a roofing material. It's heavy, expensive, and difficult to install. However, homeowners who have a historic home or who want an elegant look may love slate tiles. While no roofing material is completely fireproof, you can choose roofing materials that are significantly less combustible and less likely to catch fire if there's wildlife next door.
Since 1957, DECRA's stone-clad metal roofs have bridged the gap between industrial durability and architectural beauty. Now that we've gotten the idea of fireproof roof tiles out of your head, let's talk about the types of fireproof roof tiles that exist. You can learn more about these tests in “Understanding Class A Fire Resistance Ratings and Synthetic Roofing Materials”. Choosing the right Class A roofing materials is undoubtedly important for the protection of your home and family.
If you are in the unfortunate situation of needing a new roof after a fire, or if you simply want to ensure that your next roof has better fire protection, you can compare the fire resistance of a few different roofing materials. Luke Wilson began working on roofs with his father as a teenager and eventually launched Skywalker Roofing in 2003. Its installation can be a challenge and therefore it is sometimes difficult to find a roofer who can work with the material. Similarly, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has the ASTM E108 standard, “Standard Test Methods for Fire Testing of Roof Covers”. Roof materials come in a wide range of styles, colors, and patterns to fit any aesthetic aspect you need.
Devon Bullard, owner of Bullard Exteriors, says that “builders in fire-prone regions use more metal roofing products than products traditional wooden for this reason. Most insurance companies prefer metal roofs to asphalt tile roofs because of their longevity and durability. Two common examples of roofing materials that fall within the Class B classification are pressure-treated roof tiles and roof tiles.
