The Fire-Resistant Properties of a Metal Roof
Minimizing the risk of fire in your home starts with your roof. When compared to other roofing materials, metal roofs offer more advantages including a longer lifespan, improved energy efficiency, and lower maintenance costs. Another major benefit is its natural fire resistance properties.
Stand-Alone Class A Fire Rating
Many parts of the country are prone to forest or brush fires and lightning strikes that can ignite a roof. Lightning caused more than 22,000 home fires in 2007 – 2011, according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). Metal is considered among the best materials for protecting the home against fire. Other roofing materials like laminate, asphalt, wood, & tarpaper offer little fire resistance.
Look at the fire rating when considering a roof replacement. A metal roof has a stand-alone Class A rating. Class A is the highest fire rating a roofing material can receive. Some roofing materials like wood shake and aluminum, for example, are rated class A by-assembly. But have a Class B or C stand-alone rating. Roofs that achieve a class A by assembly means they require an additional fire-retardant coating to achieve its fire-resistant properties. And when the fire-resistant material is damaged or wears away, the roof no longer has the maximum fire protection benefits.
Advantages of a Fire-Resistant Roof for Your Home
A home can catch fire from outside sources in many ways. For instance, a neighbor’s house may catch fire and when flying embers fall on your roof, they can ignite your combustible roofing material. Also, a nearby tree may get struck by lightning and ignite. Wind and heated air can carry the burning twigs and leaves to your roof causing a fire. A fire can jump from one home to another in neighborhoods with zero lot lines or limited distance between homes. That’s why it’s essential to have a fire-resistant roof to protect your home even if you don’t live in a heavily wooded area.
Apart from protecting your property, fire-resistant roofing materials like metal have other advantages. Some insurance companies offer discounts to homeowners with metal roofing.
Energy Efficiency
If you’re looking to reduce energy costs, a metal roof replacement can help. Its reflection and insulation properties will keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. An Energy Star certified metal roof has a surface temperature that is up to 100 degrees lower than other roofing materials, according to the Department of Energy. This can result in up to a 40% savings in cooling costs, noted the Metal Roofing Alliance.
Longer Lifespan
When installed correctly by a roofing professional, metal roofing systems can last 70 years or more. It doesn’t chip or crack and can withstand more extreme weather conditions that cause damage to other types of roofs. It will seal out snow, hail, rain, mold, and mildew. And it is naturally resistant to pests. With a metal roof, you can enjoy a warranty of over 30 years with very little maintenance.
Make your home more fire-resistant with a metal roof. We offer metal roofs in a variety of aesthetic pleasing shapes, styles, and colors that will also enhance the curb appeal of your home. Call for a free estimate today!