By Daisy Lilley, Fabral
“Today” recently aired a segment about roofing materials and home fires (see the episode at Today video). When it comes to residential roofing, not all materials perform the same in fires. As the show discussed, metal roofing has the ability to stand up to fires better than other roofing materials.
When you are considering your roofing options, start by reviewing the base material. Metal by nature is noncombustible. This means if an ember lands on metal, the metal won’t catch fire. Compare that with the most used residential roofing material—asphalt shingles. Fire ratings vary among various products and manufacturers, but most asphalt shingles are petroleum based, which could fuel a fire.
“There are so many reasons why a homeowner should install a metal roof, but doesn’t it just seem logical to install a noncombustible material on your roof?” commented Scott Bacon, director of sales and marketing for Fabral, a Lancaster, Pa.-based manufacturer of metal roofing and wall systems for residential, post frame, agricultural, architectural, industrial and commercial applications.
Metal roofing’s noncombustible trait makes it Class A fire-resistant material, as confirmed by testing done at Underwriters Laboratories. But manufacturers must submit their roofing materials for testing in order to receive this rating. Ratings come in A, B or C: Class A rating, noncombustible and will withstand severe fire exposure without igniting; Class B rating, can withstand a moderate amount of fire exposure; and Class C rating, can only withstand a small amount of fire exposure. Fabral has many residential options that are approved Class A, including 1 1/2” SSR and Grandrib 3.
Other noncombustible materials that often get classified with metal roofing are clay or concrete roof tiles. It is true that these are noncombustible materials that can achieve a Class A rating. However, you should consider the weight and wind-uplift problems with clay and concrete tiles. In a wildfire, for instance, you don’t want to select an outer roofing material that is going to blow off and leave combustible materials, such as the deck, exposed to a fire. In addition, if the integrity of your house is altered in a wildfire, earthquake, tornado or other natural event, a heavy roofing material is going to crash through the roof deck, causing additional damage. These scenarios won’t happen with metal roofing, but they can happen with clay or concrete tiles. Many metal roof systems have a 120-mph wind rating, and some go up to 150 mph. This means they have been tested and are capable of withstanding hurricane-force winds. Weights vary among metal roof systems, but on average metal panels weigh substantially less than clay or concrete tiles.
Other Benefits
The performance of a metal roof system during a house fire is only one point in a long list of metal roofing benefits.
Sustainability has become an important aspect of the way we live, and your metal roof system can complement that lifestyle. For starters, metal roofs last longer than other roofing materials. In addition, they have a high recycled content and can be 100 percent recycled at the end of their long useful life. Therefore, unlike other roofing materials, like asphalt shingles, metal panels don’t end up in a landfill.
One reason metal last so long is because of coatings. These coatings also add other sustainable traits, such as reducing energy consumption, limiting the urban heat island effect and improving solar reflectance. If you add all these coating benefits up, a very important bottom line for homeowners is cash savings. With a more energy-efficient roof, utility bills will be lower.
There are many sustainable programs and guidelines available, and metal roof systems can help earn points for these accreditations. A metal roof can contribute to LEED credits. Also look for Energy Star designations. All Fabral’s Enduracote and Flurobond standard colors are Energy Star approved; and many of the Flurobond standard colors are also LEED compliant.
Many homeowners want to take sustainability to another level with photovoltaic systems. Metal roofing has that covered—literally. Building integrated photovoltaics include laminate PVs applied directly to standing-seam metal panels. From Fabral, this product is Solar SSR. Fabral’s Solar SSR system includes the highest quality, UL approved components. The flexibility and durability of these laminates make them ideal for metal roofs, where expansion, contraction and curving are considerations. The panel/laminate bond that’s created has been tested and proven to withstand winds up to 160 mph. You can also use a polycrystalline PV system, if you prefer, on a metal roof. They can be clamped to the ribs of standing-seam panels so there are no penetrations through the roof. Fabral offers this system, as well.
The federal and some state governments recognize the importance of energy efficiency through tax credits and rebates. Homeowners that purchase a Fabral Energy Star-certified metal roof from Jan. 1, 2011, through Dec. 31, 2011, will qualify for a tax credit of up to $500 or 10 percent of materials. The tax credit only qualifies for primary residence and reroofing applications. Homeowners’ insurance also can be lowered with a metal roof. In Texas, a metal roof can lower insurance premiums by as much as 35 percent.
Sustainability, Class A fire rating and cash savings all sound great. But the look means something, too. Metal roofing comes with endless options to create the ideal design for your house. With metal roofing, you can choose from a variety of base materials, such as copper, steel, aluminum and zinc. Then you can select a profile with varying widths, lengths and seam sizes. Further express your design with coating color choices, or stick with a natural metal look.
These options allow homeowners to create a unique expression of their house’s style—from contemporary to traditional, to urban to rural, metal roofing can enhance any design.
The Package
When picking a roof system for your house, invest in something that brings much to the table.
“‘NBC’s ‘Today’ show incorporated great points about the importance of selecting quality roofing materials when it comes to home fires and performance,” Bacon said. “But when you are shopping around for roofs, look at all that metal offers. No other material provides the same in quality, durability, savings, sustainability and aesthetics. Metal is the complete package.”
