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As wildfires become more common across North America, property insurers are taking note.

In certain parts of the United States, homes not constructed with wildfires in mind risk being deemed uninsurable. This could cause some homes and properties to be ineligible for mortgages. Several major insurers have even cancelled policies in high risk areas entirely.

Although Canadian insurers have not gone as far as to universally mandate specific wildfire-resistant design and construction standards as a condition for basic coverage, that may change. This new outlook by insurers is having a ripple effect. Designing homes and buildings with enhanced fire resistance is now high on the list of priorities.

To maximize a structure’s fire resistance, building exteriors must be constructed of appropriate materials in order to fend off the potential for damage from flames and sparks. A good place to start is at the roof.

From a building profile standpoint, some experts suggest steeply-sloped roofs are better than flat roofs because they allow embers to roll down to the ground before they can burn through the roofing material. Of course, fire mitigation efforts must consider the immediate area surrounding buildings as well, when embers roll off and fall to the ground.

The best choice for roofing materials are rated Class A, also known as Class 1, such as asphalt fibreglass shingles, metal, clay, concrete and slate tiles. Each has installation requirements in order to achieve their Class A rating as well as individual pros and cons in terms of cost, durability and required structural support.

For example, asphalt tiles may be popular and economical but must be installed with a fire-resistant underlay. Even then, asphalt can still melt in extreme heat, or even ignite if in direct contact with flames. There is also a risk that flying embers, which can fly miles before landing, can ignite debris on an asphalt roof or penetrate gaps in older shingles that have curled over time.

On the other hand, slate has outstanding fire protection but is very expensive and heavy.

Concrete is an excellent long-lasting alternative. Its non-combustibility offers protection against flying embers. Concrete also resists heat penetration, thereby preventing flames from reaching the underlying structure.

There are also environmental considerations when selecting roofing materials.

Asphalt tiles are petroleum-based and the vast majority (an estimated 97 per cent) end up in landfills at the end of their life. They are not biodegradable and can take 300 to 400 years to decompose.

While questions concerning carbon can arise when discussing concrete tiles, a new development from Down Under offers a promising solution.The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) in Australia has partnered with Sydney-based Bristile Roofing to develop sustainable roof tiles using coal ash and recycled glass that reduce COâ‚‚ emissions by 13 per cent compared to traditional concrete tiles.

As described in their joint , the composition of these new tiles replaces 10 per cent of the cement with pond ash, and 10 per cent of river sand with unwashed glass waste. Successful full-scale manufacturing trials to demonstrate commercial viability have been conducted at Bristile Roofing’s Melbourne facility.

Dr. Chamila Gunasekara, RMIT’s project lead, told the Daily Commercial News RMIT is very keen to explore opportunities regarding the licensing of this technology in North America.

In the final analysis, experts consider metal as the top choice among Class A roof materials.

Metal roof panels or shingles can withstand sustained ember showers and radiant heat in wildfire scenarios without catching fire. They are also economical given their expected lifespan of 50 years or more. Metal roofs offer esthetic versatility through their availability in various colours and can be made to resemble shingles, slate or shakes.

They also make a compelling environmental argument. Metal roofs are often made from recycled metal and can continue that recyclability when replaced. Reflective coatings applied on the metal can also reduce solar heat absorption, keeping homes cooler in the summer.

The increasing insurance implications regarding improved fire resistance is not isolated to family dwellings but extends to larger buildings as well.

Dan Dunmoyer of the California Building Industry Association told the about a new condominium development near San Diego whose annual insurance premium increased last year from $40,000 to more than $2 million.

A top-down strategy is a good place to start in order to mitigate such significant financial implications.

John Bleasby is a freelance writer. Send comments and Inside Innovation column ideas to editor@dailycommercialnews.com.