How To Tell If Your Asphalt Shingled Roofing Is Fireproof

There’s a lot to worry about when it comes to homeownership — and checking the status of your roof is one of them. Apart from monitoring age, quality, and structural soundness, it’s important to verify other important attributes like the fireproof nature of your shingles.

Unfortunately, this process isn’t always easy to do. If you’re purchasing a new home or in need of roof repair, you need to verify your current shingle fireproof rating to ensure ongoing protection for yourself and your loved ones.

A close-up of an asphalt shingled roof valley with ventilation.

Let’s take a closer look at the levels of fireproof shingles available on the market, including how you can tell them apart. But first — a word about the importance of a fireproof asphalt roof.

The Importance Of A Fireproof Roof 

A Louisiana, Mississippi, or Floridian home without a fireproof roof is a recipe for disaster. While we may not be as prone to wildfires as other states in the US, the Gulf still carries a high level of risk. For example:

  • Louisiana saw 503 fires and lost 10,303 acres in 2021
  • Mississippi saw 922 fires and lost 21,037 acres in 2021
  • Florida saw 2,262 fires and lost 105,475 acres in 2021

Thankfully, you don’t have to worry too much about your shingles erupting into flames. All asphalt shingled roofing carries some degree of fire resistance. However, some are more resistant than others. There are three major classifications:

  1. Class A: Offers severe fire resistance. Includes clay, concrete, slate, metal roofing, and asphalt fiberglass composition shingles.
  2. Class B: Offers moderate fire resistance. Applies to wood shakes and treated shingles.
  3. Class C: Offers light fire resistance. Applies to untreated wood shakes, untreated asphalt shingles, plywood, and particleboard.

How do you tell what category your shingles fall into? Let’s take a closer look.

3 Ways To Tell If Your Asphalt Shingles Are Fireproof

Rest assured that your asphalt shingled roofing is fireproof to some degree. However, it takes a keen eye to know exactly what category it falls into.

Here’s how to find the right rating:

  1. Check the manufacturer’s warranty. There will likely be some information about the types of shingling or roofing installed, as well as its fire classification.
  2. Look up your roofing’s rating online. Type in the manufacturer’s name and your roofing type to get a complete list of specifications. For example, if you Google ‘Atlas Roofing Fiberglass Asphalt Shingle,’ you’ll find a full document indicating the Class A fire rating.
  3. Talk to an expert roofer like the professionals at Pride Roofing LLC.  We can quickly evaluate the fireproof quality of your shingling and make suggestions based on our findings.

Pride Roofing LLC Is The Expert Roofer In Louisiana

Discover the expert roofer Louisiana can’t get enough of. Contact the folks at Pride Roofing LLC to get an inspection and estimate at your earliest convenience. You’re also welcome to call us at 855-PRIDE-16 or visit us at our office: 19391 Florida Blvd, Albany, LA 70711. Remember: a job done well is a job done with Pride!