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Roofing

A resilient roof is more than what you see on the surface.

A roof's wildfire resilience depends on more than its covering. The whole assembly matters, including its edges, openings, transitions, and places where combustible debris can collect.

Dark solar Sunstyle roof tiles with two skylights, looking out over forested hills and snow-capped mountains. Colorado continental divide.

Why it matters

Windborne embers can collect in roof valleys, gutters, and around rooftop features. If leaves, needles, or other combustible debris have accumulated there, embers can ignite that fuel bed and expose the roof or nearby components to fire.

Fire can also reach vulnerable materials at roof edges, eaves, soffits, vents, and other openings or transitions. These details matter because a roof covering that resists ignition cannot, on its own, protect every part of the roof or prevent embers and fire from reaching vulnerable materials within the assembly.

How it fails

  • A strong roof covering can hide weaknesses elsewhere in the assembly. Vulnerable materials may remain exposed at edges, transitions, penetrations, gaps, or damaged areas even when the roof covering itself performs well.
  • Roof geometry and rooftop features can create collection points. Valleys, gutters, transitions, chimneys, skylights, and other rooftop features can trap combustible debris. Windborne embers can ignite these accumulations, exposing the roof or adjacent components to fire.
  • Openings and interfaces can provide paths beyond the visible exterior surface. Gaps and poorly protected transitions or penetrations can allow embers or fire to reach vulnerable materials within the roof assembly.
  • The roof edge can expose vulnerable parts of the building. Eaves, soffits, and roof edges can include openings or combustible components exposed to embers, flame, or heat. Their performance depends on both the materials present and how the edge of the assembly is constructed.

What works

  • Treat the roof as an assembly, not just a covering. Use an assembly designed to resist ignition, considering what lies beneath the visible surface and where vulnerable materials may become exposed.
  • Reduce and strengthen vulnerable collection points. Good detailing can limit places where combustible debris accumulates and protect vulnerable materials where complex geometry cannot be eliminated.
  • Protect openings, penetrations, and transitions without defeating their building function. Detail vents, penetrations, flashing, and transitions so they continue to perform their function while limiting paths for embers and fire to reach vulnerable materials.
  • Protect the roof edge as part of the assembly. Design eaves, soffits, and roof edges to limit exposed combustible materials and reduce opportunities for embers or flame to reach vulnerable parts of the building.

Where this comes from

Roofing on video

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Which of these matters on your property?

Every home is different. These pages explain what to look for and why it matters, but they are not an assessment of your home or property. What makes sense for you depends on how your home was built, its condition, and what surrounds it. A Fire Resilience Strategy Call is an hour spent working that out for one specific building.

See the Fire Resilience Strategy Call