08
Oct

Fire mitigation in Gilpin county. (719)400-9104. Prepare Home for Wildfires: Roofing

The roof is one of the most important parts of the home to get right in wildfire-prone areas. The roof brings the greatest chance of fire as the canopy fires will drop down onto them. It’s important to get a Class A fire rating as much as possible, but you don’t need to worry about losing the aesthetics of the home.

Reduce the Complexity of the Roof

The first thing to consider when building a new home or replacing the roof is complexity. The more complex a roof is, the higher the chance there is for it to cause fire problems. Needles, leaves, and other debris will get into the corners, creating fuel for the fire.

You’ll not only want to look at the materials used, but the way your roof is shaped. The best option is to keep it simple with a straight side down. You don’t want something flat where the needles and leaves can collect. You want something that slopes to allow as much debris to drop off as possible.

Get the Right Materials

Now it comes to the materials. You can get a Class A fire rating with naturally fire-resistant materials or through a combination of them. It is possible to use a fire-resistant underlayer made with fiber-impregnated gypsum on top of some plywood.

Strand board is another great option. You’ll want to look at something that is cementitious-coated such as FlameBlock. This usually uses a magnesium oxide that releases water when there is extreme heat, making the material less likely to catch fire.

Shingles remain the most popular for roofs, and there are some excellent fire-resistant options. You can get something that has fiberglass in it to keep it as fire-resistant as possible. The best thing is that this type of material is among the most popular, helping to keep the costs for it down.

Newer Materials for Roofs

You can look at some of the newer options available. Recycled rubber and plastic can be made to look like shake or slate. These are applied with good underlayments to help protect the home. This is a maintenance-free option in many cases, although you will need to make sure the debris is removed.

Wood shake is also becoming popular. The wood needs to be treated with a Class A fire retardant material first. Or you could opt for copper and steel. Aluminum is an option but requires a good underlayment as it has a lower melting point compared to copper and steels.

With the right materials, you’ll be able to reduce the risk of fire in your home. To schedule an estimate for fire mitigation on your property in Gilpin County, contact us now!