Fire safety · Class A · Ontario

Steel cannot burn.

Metal roofing is the only residential roofing material that’s completely non-combustible. It carries a Class A fire resistance rating — the highest available — and will not ignite from embers, lightning, or radiant heat. With Ontario’s wildfire seasons getting longer and ice-storm fires more common, the roof you can’t set on fire is the one you want.

Class A · highest fire ratingNon-combustible · cannot ignite5–15% · typical insurance reduction

Why fire resistance matters now.

The 2023 Jasper wildfire destroyed over 350 structures. The California wildfire seasons of 2023 and 2024 caused billions in damage. Closer to home, Ontario ice storms regularly down power lines, creating fire risk in residential areas.

Your roof is the largest exposed surface of your home. If it can catch fire, your home is vulnerable — regardless of how well the rest of the structure is built. Metal roofing eliminates this vulnerability entirely.

Class A fire rating — what it means.

Class A is the highest classification under ASTM E108 and CAN/ULC-S107, the two standards regulators use to test roofing materials against severe fire exposure. Every Wakefield Bridge, Heritage Series, Junior H-F, and Ameri-Cana panel ships with Class A certification — no upgrades, no underlayment-dependent caveats.

Non-combustible material

Steel cannot burn. Unlike asphalt (petroleum-based) or wood (cedar shake), metal roofing will never ignite regardless of heat exposure or age.

Ember-transfer defence

In wildfire and urban fire scenarios, burning embers travel kilometres. Asphalt ignites on contact. Metal deflects embers without damage — the critical difference.

Insurance incentives

Many Ontario insurers offer 5–15% premium reductions for Class A fire-rated roofing. A metal roof can partially pay for itself through lower annual insurance costs.

Fire resistance by material.

MaterialFire classCombustible?Ember risk
Metal (steel)Class ANoDeflects embers
Asphalt shinglesClass A*Yes — petroleumIgnites on contact
Cedar shakeClass CYesHigh — ignites readily
Concrete tileClass ANoLow — but extremely heavy

* Asphalt achieves Class A only with fire-resistant underlayment. Rating degrades as shingles age and dry out.

Fire resistance questions

What homeowners ask about safety.

Is metal roofing fire-resistant?
Yes. Metal roofing is non-combustible and carries a Class A fire resistance rating — the highest classification available. It will not ignite from airborne embers, lightning strikes, or radiant heat from nearby structures.
What is a Class A fire rating on a roof?
Class A is the highest fire resistance classification under CAN/ULC-S107. It means the roofing material can withstand severe fire exposure without spreading flame. All Ideal Roofing steel products carry this rating.
Can metal roofing protect against wildfire embers?
Yes. In wildfire scenarios, embers can travel kilometres and land on roofs. Asphalt shingles ignite on contact with burning embers. Metal deflects them — a critical difference during events like the 2023 Jasper and California wildfires.
Do Ontario insurance companies offer discounts for metal roofs?
Many Ontario insurers offer premium reductions for homes with Class A fire-rated roofing. The exact discount varies by provider, but homeowners have reported savings of 5–15% on annual premiums. Ask your insurer about non-combustible roof credits.
How does metal compare to asphalt shingles for fire safety?
Asphalt shingles are petroleum-based and combustible. They carry Class A ratings only when combined with fire-resistant underlayment, and they degrade over time. Metal is inherently non-combustible — the material itself cannot catch fire regardless of age or condition.
Is metal roofing safe in lightning storms?
Yes, and safer than most alternatives. Metal roofing does not attract lightning, but if struck, it dissipates the energy across the roof surface rather than concentrating it. Because metal is non-combustible, a lightning strike cannot ignite the roof.
Protect with non-combustible

The roof that cannot burn.

Class A fire rating standard on every Ideal Roofing panel we install. Plus likely insurance savings.