Is a metal roof fireproof?
Welcome to the fourth of a seven-part series on the most common questions homeowners have about metal roofing versus asphalt shingles. The questions covered are as follows:
1. Is a metal roof way more expensive than asphalt shingles
2. Does a metal roof cost more because it takes longer to install?
3. Should I worry about my metal roof being heavier than shingles?
4. Is a metal roof way noisier than shingles?
5. Is a metal roof hotter in the summer than asphalt shingles?
7. Is a metal roof just for agricultural buildings and not for residential?
Is a metal roof fireproof?
The threat of fire is real. But what can you do to prevent your home from setting ablaze? Some experts say the first step is a metal roof. Is a metal roof actually fireproof? Not exactly, but it can help prevent a fire. Our steel panels are non-flammable, but cannot block an intense fire because heat can transfer through the metal to the combustible materials inside, sparking a fire.
So how is a metal roof a fire prevention tool? Let’s look at a case where the roof material could have made the difference. In California the Kincade Fire of 2019 destroyed nearly 200 homes. But amazingly one home remained untouched by the flames. Why? The homeowner had spent the last 15 years fireproofing his home. And one of his line of defenses was a metal roof.
One of the easiest ways for a house to burn from an external source is through the roof. Sparks from a trash fire or falling embers from a neighboring building could land on your roof and ignite typical shingles. If the flames aren’t extinguished soon, the fire will spread to the rest of the house and could cause a partial roof collapse. Either way, your house is in serious danger of burning to ashes.
But what if the roof is metal? Like we said, while a metal roof is not fireproof, it is fire resistant. A falling ember landing on a metal roof is less likely to ignite the house below. The danger of fire is minimal until excessive heat builds and passes through the metal to combustible materials below. That time gained with the protective barrier could delay the fire enough to get a few more possessions out, or till firefighters can arrive on the scene. And when it comes to a house fire, that protective barrier, could mean the difference between minor cosmetic damage to a roof’s paint and the total loss of a home.
Considering this fact, it’s not surprising that the popularity of metal roofs is increasing in states where forest fires are a frequent danger. Most insurance companies will even take your metal roof into account and offer discounts for your insurance plan based on its fire preventive properties. Bottom line, a metal roof isn’t guaranteed to block a fire, but it sure will help prevent one. A metal roof just might save your house, and it will definitely save you money.
https://www.classicmetalroofingsystems.com/about-metal-roofing/fire-resistance/
https://www.businessinsider.com/kincade-fire-california-so-big-visible-85-miles-away-2019-10
https://www.businessinsider.com/california-fire-fireproof-home-sonoma-county-kincade-2020-2?op=1
Metal Panels
Disclaimer: Obviously A.B. Martin believes in the benefits of using metal roofing, or we wouldn’t be manufacturing it. But we do sell asphalt shingles too. These articles attempt to make a fair comparison between asphalt shingles and metal roofing. If you decide asphalt shingles are better for your needs, we stock Tamko’s 30-year Heritage Shingles that have the best warranty on the market