When it comes to your roof, we know that it is important that it will not catch fire from embers. Depending on the material of your roof, you will be more or less vulnerable to this type of fire. In our last blog, we discussed the rating system for roof shingles. Now, we will explore how roofing materials fit into this system.
As you may expect, wood shingles are the most flammable – they have solid C ratings. However, most shingles with fiberglass fall into class A. Concrete, slate, and other roofs we will discuss have good fire tolerance, too.
Asphalt Shingles
- These shingles are the most affordable, so they are the most common roofing material. They are used everywhere, and are especially great in areas where fire is not a major danger. Class A asphalt shingles can survive fire for about two hours. However, if you live in a fire-prone area, other fire-resistant materials will do better than asphalt shingles.
Slate
- Slate will simply not burn. However, this type of roof is very heavy and requires specialized workers to install. They may have to bolster the frame of your home to be able to hold all the stone.
Clay and Concrete
- These types of roofs are common in commercial buildings as well as Southwest, Mission, and Spanish architecture. Like slate, they are not flammable, but they are heavy and require extra support.
Metal
- Metal rooftops are non flammable, resistant to corrosion, and great for steep slopes. They are made of copper, steel, zinc, stainless steel, and more. Even better, they can be fashioned to look like other roofing materials.
In the end, it is important to talk with a professional roofer to ensure you make the best choice for your home and its environment. Contact Planet Roofing today!