Home Readiness:
Fire Resistant Building Materials
There are a number of things to keep in mind when evaluating your home’s fire readiness.
The roof can be one of the most vulnerable attributes of your home during a wildfire, depending on its composition. Untreated shake and thatched roofs are extremely flammable and pose a dire threat to home safety during a wildfire event.
Roofs made with metal, asphalt shingles, or clay/cement tile, however, are fire resistant and greatly reduce the threat of firebrands amaging your home.
Rooftops and gutters also tend to accumulate dry needles, leaves and twigs—all of which can be easily ignited by firebrands. Homeowners should look for possible collection points and clean up hidden accumulations of this sort of debris; during a wildfire, wind gusts will follow the same debris paths, potentially dropping dangerous firebrands that could ignite this dried debris.
Using heat-resistant materials in your exterior walls is yet another precaution to keep in mind with your home. Cement, plaster, stucco, concrete, stone, brick, and block are all examples of heat resistant building materials to consider. Vinyl is also an option, but under conditions of extreme heat, these materials may melt, leaving potential entry points for firebrands. In homes with vinyl siding, it is a good idea to use metal sheeting over openings that may become exposed if the siding fails.
Windows are another potential weak point in your home’s fire defensibility. Exposure to extreme heat, such as that of a wildfire, can cause windows to shatter—allowing firebrands to enter your home. Installing double-paned or tempered glass adds another layer of protection to your windows.
Unguarded attic and eave vents offer another possible entry point for firebrands. Quarter-inch mesh screening can help prevent these dangerous sparks from entering and burning your home.
Under-deck spaces/openings and similar semi-sheltered areas can be a haven for accumulated debris; these areas should be covered with screening or skirting as well.
Make sure to keep open woodpiles at least 20 feet away from decks, walls, or any other structure connected to your home; totally enclosed areas are acceptable for wood storage within 20 feet of your home.
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