One way homeowners are helping decrease the risk of wildfire damage is by building wildfire-resistant homes. Non-combustible building materials are used in conjunction with advanced building techniques to reduce the risk of fire damage. It is also important to have a clear, defensible zone around the house that’s free of dead landscaping and other flammable materials.
When considering a new-construction, wildfire-prepared home, look for these elements:
- Roof – During a wildfire, the roof is the most vulnerable area of the house. Embers can land on a roof and ignite it in minutes. Using fire-resistant materials, such as metal roofing, can greatly decrease this risk for homeowners. Clay tiles and composite shingles are other options with more curb appeal. Limiting the number of dormers and other architectural features can also decrease the risk of embers getting trapped under the roof and causing a fire.
- Siding – Exterior walls should use non-combustible siding—replacing traditional vinyl and wood with fiber cement, brick, stone or stucco siding materials.
- Windows – Homes can catch fire from radiant heat, and shattered windows are a typical point of entry. Dual-paned windows made of tempered glass are best able to resist breakage in high temperatures. They offer the added benefit of increasing a home’s energy efficiency.
- Insulation – Fire-resistant homes typically have insulation made of non-combustible materials, such as mineral wool or fire-rated foam insulation. Fiberglass is another non-combustible option, though it can melt in high-temperature fires.
- Decks and fences – While wood was once a popular option, fireproof materials should be used when building decks and fences, especially when they are attached to the house.
- Home wildfire defense systems – Some homeowners are choosing to have systems installed that deploy water or fire-retardant foam. These systems may use sensors to activate, or they may have fire-tracking software that deploys the water or foam when a fire is detected within a specific range of your home.
The cost of building a wildfire-resistant home is not significantly more than building a traditional home, with studies finding a 2-13% increase in costs. In addition, you may be able to decrease your home insurance premiums depending on the type of roof it has and the materials used for siding in your home’s construction.
