Everything You Need to Know About Wildfire-Resistant Homes

Article overview

• Wildfires are becoming more common, but homeowners can help reduce their risk by using fire-resistant materials, smart landscaping and strategic maintenance. Most damage is caused by embers, and building materials like metal roofing, fiber cement siding and dual-paned windows can significantly increase a home’s chances of survival.

• To help protect an existing home, focus on retrofitting the most vulnerable areas. Replace the roof and siding with non-combustible materials, install dual-pane windows and cover vents with mesh to keep embers out.
• Creating a “defensible space” around your home is crucial. This involves clearing at least 30 feet of flammable materials like dry leaves and firewood, especially in the five feet closest to the house. It’s also important to review your homeowner’s insurance policy to ensure you have adequate coverage for wildfire damage.

Wildfires are no longer confined to remote forests—they’re reaching neighborhoods and destroying thousands of homes each year. Extreme droughts, hotter temperatures and stronger winds are fueling fires like never before. While you can’t control the path of a wildfire, you can take measures to help decrease your home’s vulnerabilities through the use of fire-resistant materials, smart landscaping and strategic maintenance. You can significantly increase the chances of your home surviving a blaze and give yourself critical peace of mind when wildfire season arrives. 

Understanding wildfire risk

Most wildfire damage happens through embers (small pieces of burning debris) that travel through the air and ignite a home on contact. Direct flames and radiant heat can also catch a property on fire. Even if a house does not directly catch fire, smoke from nearby fires can infiltrate the structure. This causes discoloration, unpleasant odors and poor air quality inside the structure.

Several factors can increase your risk of wildfire damage. These include elevated temperatures, dry vegetation, drought and strong winds. Overgrown landscaping close to building structures can also add fuel to a fire. 

Designing and building wildfire-resistant homes

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. Reach out to your insurance agent to review coverage options and premiums. 

Retrofitting a home to help protect against wildfires

If you are looking to make improvements to your current residence for wildfire home protection, there are a few crucial areas that make the most difference.

• Roof – Your roof is the most crucial structure when thinking about fire protection. A roof made of non-combustible materials will be best able to keep embers from igniting the home. Also consider the eaves and attic vents where embers may get trapped. Cover vents and chimneys with wire mesh to keep embers out, and always remove leaves and other debris from your roof and gutters.
• Exterior walls – It is also essential to use non-combustible or fire-resistant materials for exterior walls, paying special attention to the six inches at the bottom of walls where embers can accumulate. Foundations in fire-prone areas should be enclosed to prevent embers from getting underneath the house.
• Windows – Single-pane windows can be replaced with dual-pane windows made of tempered glass. A wildfire defense system can be added to your home to deploy water or fire-retardant foam when a fire is near. Replace fences and decks made out of wood with fire-retardant materials.

These are just a few of the retrofitting options available that will help protect your home from wildfires. 

Landscaping recommendations

When thinking about how to fireproof your home from wildfires, it is crucial to ensure the area surrounding the house is clear of debris and combustible materials. The goal is to create at least 30 feet of defensible space around your home, with the five feet closest to your house being the most important.

You want to remove any combustible materials (leaves, dry plants, firewood/lumber, propane tanks or deck furniture) from the five feet surrounding your home. And keep gutters free from leaves, pine needles and other debris that might catch fire from embers.

Outbuildings, such as sheds and detached garages, should be made of non-combustible materials or moved at least 30 feet from the home. Bark mulch and wooden fences or decks should be replaced with fire-resistant materials.

Does homeowners insurance cover wildfires?

Fire damage is typically listed as a covered peril under home insurance policies, but this may vary based on geographic location or policy terms. To find out if your home insurance covers wildfire damage, consult your policy documents or speak with your insurance agent.

Wildfire coverage can include dwelling coverage to help protect your home’s structure. If you have other structures on your property, like a shed, pool house or detached garage, consider “other structures” coverage.

Personal property coverage would include your personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing and electronics. Creating an inventory of your belongings is always helpful, especially if you have high-value or hard-to-replace items.

Loss-of-use or additional living expenses coverage can be vital if you are displaced from your home due to a wildfire. This would cover a hotel or rental property stay while your home is being rebuilt after a covered loss.

As with any insurance coverage, be sure you review your coverage limits to ensure they are sufficient for the property you want to cover. 

Building peace of mind before the next wildfire

Wildfires may be an unavoidable way of life in some areas of the country, but there are things you can do today that make all the difference when a wildfire comes. Whether you are building new construction or retrofitting an existing dwelling, using fire-resistant and non-combustible materials for the roof and exterior walls can help keep embers from igniting your house. Each improvement increases the likelihood that your home will survive a wildfire—and may even lower your insurance premium. Adding smart landscaping helps create a defensible space around your property to help protect from embers, radiant heat and fire. Ultimately, wildfire resistance is an investment in your safety and your home’s future.