The shingles you choose for your Houston roof replacement can have a significant impact on the fire resistance of your entire home. Understanding the various options available to you can help you to enjoy greater peace of mind throughout the process. Working with a company with an established reputation for quality Houston roof repair and replacement services is the best way to ensure the best results possible. Here are some key facts about roof shingles fire safety ratings for your home.
Fire Ratings for Roofing Materials
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) have established fire ratings for a wide range of roofing shingles. These ratings are designed to allow easy comparison of the fire resistance of different materials when planning your Houston roof replacement.
- Class A roofing shingles are top-rated for fire protection and must limit flame spread to six feet or less. They must stand up to 15 separate applications of gas flame and must last from two to four hours before igniting. Additionally, these roofing shingles must be able to resist exposure to a burning brand 12 inches by 12 inches and 2,000 grams in weight. Clay, slate and asphalt glass fiber composition shingles are among the most commonly available types of Class A shingles for a fire safe roofing system.
- Class B roofing shingles undergo the same testing as Class A materials. To achieve this rating, the shingles must limit flame spread to eight feet or less. They must stand up to a burning brand that measures six inches by six inches and that weighs 500 grams. Class B shingles must resist eight applications of gas flame without igniting and must last at least one hour before igniting. Pressure-treated shakes are examples of common Class B roofing materials.
- Class C roofing materials are not generally recommended for use on residential or commercial buildings and include plywood, particleboard and untreated wood shingles. To achieve this rating, Class C shingles must resist three applications of gas flame, stand up to fire for at least 20 minutes, limit flame spread to 13 feet or less and withstand a 1.5-inch by 1.5-inch quarter-gram burning brand.
Unrated materials could not pass any of the tests required for rating for NFPA or UL and are not recommended for use in the state of Texas. Your Houston roofing contractor can provide you with information on the most appropriate and cost-effective choices for your residential roofing project.
The Houston roof repair and replacement experts at Paramount Roofing can provide you with the right options for your residential or commercial roofing project in the Houston metropolitan area. Call us today at 713-748-4000 to discuss your options or to schedule a free estimate. We look forward to working with you.