Many homeowners might wonder if fire resistant roofing materials are worth it. What many don’t realize is that all roofing materials are classified with a fire resistant rating by a number of organizations. These organizations include the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the International Code Council (ICC), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The fire ratings are as follows:
- Class A
- Class B
- Class C
- Unrated
Class A roofing is the most fire-resistant and offers the best protection for your home. Fire Resistant Roofing Materials rated Class A include clay tiles, concrete tiles, Asphalt Glass fiber composition shingles, and slate. These are roofing materials that obtain a Class A safety rating based solely upon the roofing materials themselves.
Some roofing materials are Class A classified as an assembly-rated roof covering, which requires a fire barrier material laid underneath the roofing material in order to achieve the highest level of fire resistance. These roofing materials include aluminum or other metal roofs, recycled rubber/composite plastic materials, and fire-retardant treated wood shakes, such as cedar.
If you live in an area prone to wildfires, most experts will recommend installing a fire-resistant roof using Class A roofing materials. While fire-resistant roofing materials do cost more, they are worth the investment for the value of protecting your most valuable possession – your home. Contact Southern Star Roofing today to go over all of your options.
