High-Risk Fire Zones and The Necessity of Fire-Rated Roofing

Roofing contractors of Napa, CA talk about the benefits of roofing that is properly fire-rated for this part of the country.

The Basics of Fire-Rated Roofing Types

California is known for beautiful beaches and forests, beautiful people, and natural disasters. Everyone who lives here knows about the danger of earthquakes and wildfires. Because fires are such a problem, it is vital for homeowners to make sure that  their homes can take the heat with as little damage as possible. The roof is the most vulnerable part of the home for exposure to flying embers carried by high winds. Let’s discuss the different types of fire-rated roofing and why it is important to choose fire resistant roofing materials.

What Are The Classes of Fire-Rated Roofing?

Roofing supply  is fire rated into 3 categories labeled Class A ( being the most fire resistant) to Class C (least resistant). There is also a category “unrated,” which means the roofing material is not verified to have any sort of fire resistance. This category would include things like untreated wood shingles or shakes. Class A fire-rated roofing includes two subcategories: common Class A and Class A by assembly.  Common Class A materials include traditional asphalt shingles, clay or concrete tiles and slate. Class A by assembly means that the materials have high fire resistance once they are properly assembled. This category includes materials like metal roofing and recycled rubber roofing. A reliable roofing company can help you choose the proper roofing for your home if you have found your home needs roofing replacement.

What Affects a Roof’s Fire Resistance?

The roofing materials are not the only things that affect whether or not a roof is truly fire resistant. The environment around the home can make a big difference in fire deterrence. Making sure your home gets proper roofing maintenance and regular roof inspection is key to enjoying peace of mind when it comes to your roof.

Some of the things that can affect the ability of a roof to handle fire are listed below:

• Trees: Trees near roofing can be a serious issue in more ways than just fire resistance. Limbs should be trimmed back from the roof so they cannot fall and cause damage.
• Holes: There may be ventilation in the eaves of a home or holes that have been drilled for HVAC or other electrical construction. A process of filling any gaps called bird stopping can help keep these holes from being access points for fire.
• Skylights: As beautiful as skylights are, they can be weak points when it comes to fire resistance.
• Roof edges: If edges are wooden and exposed, or improperly installed this can affect how well a roof resists fire.
• Rain gutters: The material of the gutters and the proper installment can be vital to their proper function and ability to resist fire.

Why Choose Fire-Rated Roofing?

Fire-rated roof materials not only give you peace of mind as the homeowner, they can actually help with subduing fires in progress and can prevent other homes from catching fire. These roofs may even be required for insurance or legal zoning purposes. It is always best to be prepared, so speaking to a roofer about a roof inspection to verify what your roof is made of is an excellent idea.

What Are The Options For Fire-Rated Roofing?

There are plenty of options in fire-rated roofing for both residential and commercial roofing. They vary a great deal in price, but one can be found to fit any budget. 

The materials most likely to have a class A rating are listed below:

• Asphalt
• Concrete
• Clay
• Slate
• Metal

About Modern Method Roofing

Modern Method Roofing  is a company that has served Napa, CA and the surrounding areas with expert workmanship and competitive bidding for 63 years. They are proud to offer senior discounts and 100% financing is available.  Call today for a free estimate.