Metal roofs are becoming increasingly popular due to their durability, longevity, and visual appeal. But one of the most important benefits of metal roofing is its fire resistance. This roofing material provides superior protection against fires compared to other materials, making it an ideal option for homeowners looking to protect their homes from potential fire damage. Read on to take a closer look at the fire-resistant properties of metal roofs.
Materials Used in Metal Roofing
Aluminum, steel, and copper are three of the most common materials used for metal roofing today. Each of these types of metal has fire-resistant qualities that make them excellent choices for homeowners. Aluminum and steel are highly resistant to heat transfer and have a low melting point, making it more difficult for flames or sparks to ignite materials beneath the roof’s structure. Copper has a high thermal conductivity, which means that it will dissipate heat away from flammable materials near the home. This thermal conductivity makes copper a fantastic roofing material in areas susceptible to wildfires. These metal roofing materials offer superior levels of protection against fire compared to any other material on the market today.
Additional Fire-Resistant Properties
The other benefit of metal roofing is that it typically comes pre-coated with silicone polymers and acrylics. These coatings provide an additional layer of fire resistance to your roofing. Adding these coatings on top of the already fire-resistant metal materials helps to keep your home safe from fires, lightning strikes, and flying embers from wildfires. These coatings also improve insulation, which helps keep your home cooler during the sweltering summer and warmer during the freezing winter. Because of this insulation, you can save money on energy bills while enjoying the peace of mind a fire-resistant roof provides.
Modern Fire Resistance Ratings
Roofing materials have a class rating to represent their level of fire resistance. These ratings range from class A, B, C, or unrated. Class A roofs are the most fire-resistant and provide the highest level of protection against sparks, flames, heat transfer, and smoke development. In order to gain Class A roof certification, a roofing material must be able to withstand temperatures up to 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. The ASTM-E-108 testing system evaluates a metal’s resistance to spreading flame over its surface during the event of a fire. And fortunately for us, metal roofing passes the test and ranks as a Class A roofing material.
Now that you know what properties make a metal roof fire-resistant, you can consider switching to metal roofing. If you’re looking for roofing contractors in Appleton, WI, contact American Metal Roofs of Northern Wisconsin and get a free quote today. One of our roofing specialists will be happy to meet with you to discuss your roofing needs.