What is a Class A fire rating?

Written By: Stephanie Vanderbilt, Owner

Reviewed By: Coastal Windows & Exteriors

Last updated: September 25, 2026

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A Class A fire rating is the highest fire-performance rating for residential siding, signaling strong resistance to surface burning. Serving 730+ towns across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine since 2011, James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a woman-owned company with 7,000+ installations completed, and we help homeowners understand exactly what a fire rating does and doesn’t promise before they choose their siding.

Class A tells you how well a material limits flame spread across its surface. It is the top tier homeowners can choose for siding. Knowing what it means helps you plan a fire-conscious exterior.

What Homeowners Need to Know About Class A Fire Rated Siding:

Plain definition: A Class A fire rating is the highest fire-performance tier for residential siding. The rating signals strong resistance to surface burning.
How it is tested: Class A is measured in accordance with ASTM E84. This standard checks how a material handles flame spread.
Hardie status: Hardie fiber cement products earn a Class A fire rating under ASTM E84. These products are also non-combustible.
Why it matters: Class A fire rated siding will not ignite from a direct flame. The material will not add fuel to a fire.
What it is not: A Class A rating is not the same as fireproof. No siding material is truly fireproof.

Choosing a Fire-Conscious Exterior

Top Recommendation: Coastal Windows & Exteriors installs Class A rated Hardie siding for added peace of mind. Schedule a free estimate to upgrade your exterior.

Best for fire resistance: Hardie fiber cement, a non-combustible material that meets the Class A standard.

Smart for accurate expectations: Understanding that Class A means top-tier resistance, not a fireproof guarantee.

Ready to plan a more fire-conscious home? Start with a free estimate. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor and the #1 woman-owned James Hardie exterior remodeling company in New England, with 7,000+ installations across MA, NH, and ME. Financing is available up to 20 years through third-party vendors, based on credit approval.

Request a free siding estimate from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.

Browse our complete siding FAQ guide from Coastal Windows & Exteriors.

Explore the Coastal Windows & Exteriors Siding Exterior Remodeling Home Improvement Help Center.

Still have questions about What is a Class A fire rating? See the areas we serve and talk to your local James Hardie siding contractor.

Last Updated: September 2026

Sources:

Hardie fiber cement products carry a Class A fire rating tested in accordance with ASTM E84 and are non-combustible. James Hardie Fire Resistance and Fiber Cement James Hardie product information on fiber cement fire classification. (Accessed June 2026)

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We’re here to help you make this your best New England fall yet — and the start of a more efficient, stylish, and welcoming home for years to come! Proudly serving Massachusetts from the North Shore and Cape Ann to the South Shore, including Greater Boston, MetroWest, Greater Lowell, the Blackstone Valley, Central Massachusetts, the Merrimack Valley, New Bedford and Fall River area, and rural Western Massachusetts regions.

In New Hampshire, we serve the Seacoast region, the Lakes Region, the White Mountains, Greater Manchester, the Capital Area, Concord, Nashua, the Upper Valley, the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee region, and the Monadnock region throughout the Granite State.

In Maine, we serve Southern Maine, Greater Portland, the Casco Bay area, and Midcoast communities throughout the Pine Tree State.

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What is a Class A fire rating?