If you’re due for a roof replacement to keep your home in good condition, one of the things you should look out for is its fire rating. After all, you want your new roof to withstand the heat that a fire could cause. It’s also required by building codes to ensure your safety as a homeowner. But what are the differences between the different fire ratings for roofs on the market? In this post, Redemption Roofing, the metal roofing specialist, shares what the four fire ratings mean.
Class A
When you’re in the market for a new roof, you should be on the lookout for a Class A roof. This is because these roofs are highly effective against fire exposures which will keep your roof protected. A roof can be classified as Class A roof if it can experience a maximum flame spread of 6 feet, endure two to four hours before ignition, and resist around 15 cycles of a gas flame being shut on and off.
A few examples of Class A roofs are slate, clay tiles, asphalt shingles with a glass fiber composition. You’ll definitely feel safe and secure when you have one of these roofing materials above your head as this will keep you safe against fires.
Class B
Class B roofing systems provide adequate protection against moderate fire exposures. A Class B roof can be classified as such if it can withstand a maximum flame spread of 8 feet, endure an hour before ignition, and handle 8 cycles of a gas flame turned on and off. The most popular Class B materials include pressure-treated shakes and shingles.
Class C
A Class C roof can only provide minimal protection against fires as they can experience a maximum flame spread of 13 feet, last only 20 minutes before igniting and resist three cycles of a gas flame being turned on and off. A few examples of these roofing materials include untreated wood shakes, plywood, and particleboard. We strongly advise you not to install these roofing materials if you live in a fire-prone area.
Unrated Roofs
If a roofing system is unrated, this means that it provides no protection whatsoever against flames and shouldn’t be installed at all costs. In fact, building codes won’t even permit these roofing materials to be installed on your home.
Searching for a contractor who carries out quality roofing inspections, repairs, and replacements? Trust in Redemption Roofing. We let our customers do the talking. We offer our clients exceptional service, quality craftsmanship, and we only use the best materials that the industry has to offer. We serve The Woodlands, Conroe, Spring, Montgomery, and the Greater Houston area. You can contact us at 936.226.0658 or fill out our convenient contact form.