Fire Rated Exterior Siding

While choosing exterior siding fire resistance may not be the first thing that springs to mind.

Fire rated exterior siding.

The highest rating possible for fire resistance. Fiber cement shingles and clapboards made from a mix of portland cement sand and wood usually carry a class a fire rating which means they can withstand 2 to 4 hours of high heat before your home s structure starts to fail. These wood products undergo a processing step whereby these chemicals are fixed or otherwise contained to prevent or minimize leaching of the chemical. Note that most fiber cement sidings require a gypsum board underlayment to reach their maximum efficacy.

While fire resistance won t make your home fireproof fire rated exterior siding will help protect the building and your possessions until the fire department can arrive on the scene limiting damage. Exterior rated fire retardant treated frt wood products are pressure impregnated with chemicals that improve the fire performance characteristics. A class a rating means it is going to offer the maximum protection possible against fire and will not spread flames. Aluminum and steel siding are virtually peerless when environmental hazards strike.

This ul listed assembly is commonly used in type v multifamily construction in load bearing exterior walls. Steel siding not only offers protection against a fire it is also naturally resistant and does not require the use of fire resistant treatments. It also allows for the use of fiberglass insulation. Only one brings with it the durability worry free fire resistance that you need to help ensure your home s exterior is protected from the threat of fires.

Siding types that are the most highly rated when it comes to fire resistance include fiber cement metal and brick. Fiber cement siding is the only siding on the market to receive a class 1 a rating making it ideal for any property where the threat of fire may be a concern. Is hardie siding fireproof. Not only do these tough exteriors stand up well to wind rain hail and sleet they re also very fire resistant.

Most metal siding is rated as noncombustible which means that in fire safety testing it was shown not to ignite and spread fires. This assembly is fire rated for 1 hour from the interior side only except when brick is the exterior facing. Rollex navigator steel siding for example has a class a fire rating.