The Best Fireproof Roof Materials to Protect Your Home This Summer

Your roofing system is one of the most hard-working parts of your home. It provides you and your loved ones protection against snow, sunlight, rain, and the extremes of temperature. Roofs can, however, present a potent fire risk. Cases of roofs catching fire in summer aren’t unheard of. To steer clear of fire hazards, look for a roofing system made from fireproof roofing materials.

The Importance of Fire Safety

Roofs cover a large area. They are high above the ground. Most homeowners install antennas on their roofs which increases their vulnerability to accidents. Some common threats to roofing systems include fireworks, embers from bonfires or barbeque, and sparks from a nearby house fire. Fire from your roof can spread to different parts of your home before you can react. A fireproof roof contains fire-retardant materials that prevent the spread of fire, helping you and your loved ones avoid safety risks.

Fireproof Ratings

The term fireproof or fire-resistant is used to describe how easily a material burns. All roofing materials are categorized into groups depending on their fire resistance. To get their roofing materials rated, manufacturers have to submit them for testing. Experts performing these tests consider three things:

1. The way the flame penetrates through the exterior of the roof material and into the attic

2. The amount of embers formed

3. How the flames spread over the surface

Based on their findings, experts categorize roofing materials into three groups:

Class A

Class A roofing materials are the least flammable roofing materials. Class A roofing materials are designed to prevent a flame from spreading to more than six feet. They can take between 2 and 4 hours to get ignited. A Class A roofing material can withstand a brand weighing 2,000 grams.

Class B

Class B materials are effective against moderate fires. A Class B material won’t allow a flame to spread to more than eight feet. It can withstand a brand weighing 500 grams. Class B materials typically last for an hour before igniting.

Class C

Class C materials have the least fire resistance. They can prevent a flame from spreading to more than 13 feet. Class C materials offer resistance for just 20 minutes, after which they get ignited. They can withstand a brand weighing ¼ gram.

How Safe are Common Roofing Materials?

Clay Tiles

Clay is known for its fire-resistant properties and ability to dissipate heat. Available in a range of colors, clay tiles can last up to 30 years.

Slate Tiles

A naturally occurring material, slate is known for its superior fire resistance. Though slate is expensive, slate roofs can last for more than 70 years with proper care. As slate is heavier than many other materials, you need to make sure that your framing is capable of supporting it.

Can’t determine which roofing material best fits your needs? Let experts at Roof Tile Custom Specialists, Inc. help. We are a renowned tile roof company in Walnut Creek. As a responsible roofer, we are committed to helping our customers make informed decisions. To learn more about us, call us today at (925) 634-8700.