What Homeowners Need to Know About Roof Fire Ratings
2 minutes
August 10, 2021 You need to make a lot of decisions when planning a roof replacement project, one of which is choosing a material. With all the options out there, it can be a challenge to choose which one is ideal for your home. Besides your location, you also need to consider ratings for impact and fire resistance.
Class A Roofing
Class A roofing will give you the most protection against fires and it is especially ideal for areas prone to wildfires. Roofing material should be able to withstand severe fire exposure to obtain this rating. Products with a Class A rating can experience a maximum flame spread of six feet and resist a burning brand measuring 12” x 12” and weighing 2,000 grams. It can last two to four hours before ignition and withstand 15 cycles of gas flame turned on and off.
Clay tiles, slate, concrete tiles, and asphalt glass fiber composition shingles are among the most popular standalone Class A roofing options. Moreover, assembly-rated Class A roofing materials pertain to systems that achieve the Class A requirements when combined with other components. No matter which material you prefer, hiring the right roofing company is key. Keep in mind that even the best materials are likely to fail early when not installed correctly.
Class B Roofing
You can get moderate fire resistance from a Class B roofing material. Products with this rating can resist a burning brand that measures 6” by 6” and weighs 500 grams. They can experience a maximum flame spread of 8 feet and last for an hour before ignition. Some of the most common roofing materials with the Class B rating are pressure-treated shakes and shingles.
Class C Roofing
Roofing materials with Class C roofing only offer light fire protection. They can withstand a burning brand measuring 1.5.” by 1.5” and weighing 1/4 grams. It can experience a maximum flame spread of 13 feet and can last 20 minutes before ignition. Class C roofing options can resist three cycles of a gas flame turned on and off. Untreated wood shakes and shingles, plywood, and particleboard. Experts do not recommend these types of materials.
At ARCH Exteriors, LLC., we’re always here to help with your home’s roofing needs. If you are also looking for affordable replacement windows, you can count on us. Give us a call at (877) 214-2831 or fill out our contact form to get a free estimate.
