If you live in a high-risk wildfire zone, you’ve likely wondered what type of roof offers the best protection for your home. And even if you don’t live in an area traditionally prone to fires, changing weather patterns may be increasing your risk.
This guide will help you understand how to choose a fire-resistant roof and more. You’ll learn:
What you discover may surprise you, but you’ll be better prepared once you take the steps to reduce fire damage to your property.
In the past, concerns about fire-resistant roofing were largely limited to residents in the West. States like California, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado were known for frequent wildfires in late summer and autumn.
Now, however, wildfires are far greater threat due to several factors:
In 2025, several Southern California wildfires drew national attention for their size and destruction. Entire neighborhoods in Altadena and Pacific Palisades were devastated.
Still, there was a silver lining: a handful of homes survived thanks to smart design choices—especially the roofing material. In many cases, a metal roof helped resist fire when neighboring homes could not.
The next section explores what makes a roofing system fire resistant and why your choice of material matters.
As many firefighters will tell you, it’s not always the fire front that presents the greatest danger to properties; embers are often responsible for catching homes on fire. That’s why it’s best to start with a roofing material that is non-combustible.
Christen Losey-Gregg, CPRIA and member of the Private Risk Management Association, explained: “Non-combustible materials are absolutely a point of consideration when it comes to the evaluation of whether or not an insurance company will consider insuring a risk they are underwriting. With each fire season, it becomes increasingly more difficult to procure favorable coverage and deductibles for these risks.”
Non-combustible roofing material includes metal and ceramic tile, while wood shakes and some asphalt shingles are combustible. A non-combustible roof won’t catch on fire and spread flames the way a combustible one will. Even certain asphalt shingles rated as Class A rating (see below) can ignite because asphalt is a petroleum product, and petroleum is highly flammable.
All roofing products are tested and categorized by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent organization, for their ability to resist fire. They are divided according to these classes:
All DECRA by IKO stone-coated metal roofing products carry a Class A fire rating from UL.
While the roof covering itself is a critical first line of defense, true fire resistance comes from the entire roofing assembly. This includes:
The first three elements can be treated for fire resistance, while flashing and ventilation must be properly installed to prevent fire from spreading through gaps or joints.
Installing a fire-resistant roofing system is a powerful first step, but it’s not the only one. Additional measures, often referred to as “home hardening,” can further reduce the risk of ignition from embers, radiant heat, and direct flames. Use this checklist to help protect your home:
By combining a fire-resistant roof with these proactive measures, you greatly increase your home’s resilience against wildfires.
Don’t wait until wildfire season is at your doorstep to think about making your roof fire resistant. With DECRA by IKO stone-coated metal roofing, you can upgrade your home’s protection any time of the year, as long as it’s safe for your contractor and your roof is free of snow.
Best of all, you don’t have to compromise on style. DECRA by IKO offers a wide range of colors and profiles that replicate the look of traditional tiles, shingles, and shakes, delivering curb appeal and fire resistance in one.
See for yourself: Try our online visualization tool today and discover how a fire-resistant roof could look on your home.