The roof is the part of your home that’s most vulnerable to fires. Embers carried by high winds can blow onto your roof well before the wildfires even reach your area. That’s why local building codes require homeowners to install fire-resistant shingles, which can be grouped into four classes: A, B, C and unrated.
Fire Rating Classifications
Here’s an overview of the four classifications:
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Class A – Class A shingles have the highest fire resistance and are the least flammable, making them a necessity in areas prone to wildfires and the preferred choice among homeowners.
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Class B – Class B shingles can withstand moderate surface and a maximum flame spread of eight feet. Pressure-treated shakes and shingles usually fall in this category.
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Class C – Most contractors wouldn’t recommend installing class C roofing, given that these can only provide light fire protection. Untreated wood shakes and shingles as well as plywood are classified here.
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Unrated – Avoid purchasing unrated shingles: roofing materials in this category didn’t meet performance requirements for Class C shingles, which provide the least fire protection.
Materials
The aforementioned fire ratings are all you need to look for when buying shingles for your roof, but it wouldn’t hurt to know more about the most fire-resistant materials. We’ve listed some of them below:
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Clay and concrete – These two materials are often used to create durable roof tiles that have a natural resistance to heat and fire. Concrete tiles have exceptional durability, with a lifespan of 50 years or more.
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Asphalt – Asphalt shingles are one of the most versatile and the most popular type of roofing material. Combined with a fiberglass underlayment, asphalt shingles can achieve a Class A fire resistance.
Still having trouble deciding on which shingle to pick? It’d be a good idea to consult an experienced roofer.
Goodrich Roofing, a contractor with nearly 70 years’ worth of experience in the industry, offers a wide range of professional roofing services. To request a free quote, call us at (505) 219-4450, or fill out our form here. We serve homeowners in Albuquerque, NM, as well as the surrounding communities.