Building for a safer tomorrow: A guide to fire-resistant homes - Arrowhead General Insurance Agency, Inc.

Tried and tested tactics to build fire-resistant homes

Homes built with fire-resistant materials like metal roofs, tempered glass windows and noncombustible siding are more resilient to wildfires.
Maintaining a buffer zone around a home by clearing flammable materials and using fire-resistant landscaping can help slow the spread of flames.
Smaller investments like ember-resistant vents, fire-resistant caulking and deck maintenance can also significantly reduce a home’s wildfire risk.

Here’s a little dose of reality: the growing threat of wildfires in the United States has turned fire-resistant construction from a once-niche concern into an essential initiative. In 2020, wildfires reached unprecedented levels of destruction, with nearly 18,000 structures lost, including over 9,600 residences, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. It’s becoming harder and harder to ignore that, from California to Colorado, rising temperatures and longer fire seasons are placing millions of homes at risk — all while pushing insurers to reevaluate how coverage is provided in fire-prone areas. And without proactive steps, many homeowners in high-risk areas could unfortunately, find themselves uninsurable in the near future.

So, in response, the insurance industry is taking unprecedented steps to encourage homeowners and builders to adopt more fire-resilient practices. This guide will explore the latest developments in fire-resistant building techniques and focus on actionable steps you can recommend to your clients. We believe that by sharing these proven strategies, you can help protect your clients’ homes, reduce their insurance costs and be a part of moderating the growing risk posed by wildfires. Ready to learn more?

Related: Wildfire risks are growing. Here’s how they start

The push for fire-resistant construction

Perhaps it comes as no surprise that the insurance industry has emerged as a vocal advocate for building new homes with wildfires in mind. Just as the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew reshaped Florida’s building codes, the growing threat of wildfires is driving insurers and policymakers to push for the adoption of fire-resistant building practices nationwide. Organizations like the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety are so committed to this movement that they have been conducting controlled burn demonstrations for the public, comparing structures built with traditional materials to those constructed with fire-resistant materials, such as metal siding and ember-resistant vents.

The results have been clear: homes that adopt fire-resistant building standards are far more likely to survive a wildfire. But the message is clearer: the traditional insurance model is changing, and homeowners must now take responsibility for protecting their properties if they want to maintain coverage.

Key fire-resistant building practices

Creating a fire-resistant home involves strategic choices at every level of the building process — from the foundation to the roof. By incorporating fire-resistant materials and designs, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of wildfire damage to their property. Let’s explore some of the most critical elements of creating a fire-resistant home.

Foundation

The foundation of a home is often overlooked when it comes to fire safety, but it can play a critical role in fire resistance. One highly recommended option for building a foundation is insulated concrete forms, which are polystyrene blocks filled with concrete that not only create a fireproof barrier but are also highly energy efficient. But concrete foundations, in general, are non-combustible and can withstand extreme heat without losing structural integrity.

Siding

Choosing the right siding is a critical factor. Noncombustible materials like stucco, fiber cement or stone are excellent choices for fire-resistant homes. These materials can both withstand direct flame contact and resist heat far better than traditional wood or vinyl siding. Homeowners with existing wood siding should consider replacing it over time, especially in vulnerable areas near the roof or windows.

However, homes with all types of siding could benefit from adding a perimeter of crushed stone or cement to act as a firewall that prevents flames from becoming trapped under overhangs and decks.

Decks and fences

And speaking of decks, those made of wood are notorious for fueling wildfires, often serving as conduits for flames to reach a home. The same goes for wooden fences. Instead, composite decking materials that mimic wood but are far more fire-resistant are a smarter choice. For fences, homeowners should consider replacing at least the last five feet closest to the home with noncombustible materials like metal to help prevent fire spread.

Doors

Doors serve as a significant entry point for fire, so upgrading to fire-resistant doors is an essential step in home hardening. Solid-core doors made of materials like metal or fiber-cement can offer far more protection than traditional wood doors, which usually only resist fire for about 20 minutes. And don’t forget about garage doors! Choose metal when possible and to further prevent embers from entering the home, make sure all doors are tightly fitted and weather stripped.

A fire-resistant door may cost a few hundred dollars more than a regular wood option, but with its ability to withstand fire for significantly longer, it can buy priceless time during a wildfire.

Windows

Windows are the eyes of a home, but also one of the most vulnerable components during a wildfire. The intense heat generated by a fire can cause glass to crack, break or even melt, creating an entry point for embers and flames. To mitigate this risk, homeowners should opt for double-pane windows with at least one layer of tempered glass, which is three to four times stronger than regular glass and can help delay the spread of fire into the home.

It’s also recommended to install windows with smaller panes and metal framing, as they typically provide greater heat resistance than larger panes constructed with plastic or vinyl frames.

Roofing

The roof is another highly vulnerable part of a home. IBHS recommends using Class A fire-rated roofing materials, such as metal, concrete or tile, which provide the best protection overall. But even when using other materials, it’s imperative to block any and all gaps to prevent embers from slipping inside. Additionally, a roof with a steeper pitch tends to offer significantly better fire resistance compared to a flat roof as it allows embers to roll off before they can penetrate the surface.

Although a metal roof might cost around 10-15% more than a standard asphalt shingle roof, it’s durability and fire resistance make it a worthwhile investment in fire-prone areas.

Layout

But the shift towards fire-resistant construction isn’t just about using better materials; it’s about smarter design and maintenance. The layout of a home, including its positioning relative to the surrounding landscape, can greatly influence its vulnerability to wildfires. Homes built on steep slopes, for example, are at a higher risk because fires tend to move more quickly uphill.

But homeowners can mitigate this risk by ensuring there’s a defensible space between the home and nearby slopes. You can read our detailed guide here but in general, a defensible space is a noncombustible zone within 5 to 100 feet of a home that can be achieved through thoughtful landscaping, like using fire-resistant native plants and creating hardscaped areas with noncombustible materials like concrete and stone.

Low-cost retrofits and home hardening tips

For many homeowners, however, a complete rebuild is not an option, but this doesn’t mean there’s nothing they can do to lower their risk. Retrofitting certain elements of their home can still significantly improve the chances their home will survive a wildfire. Consider the following lower-cost upgrades that can make a big difference:

Install ember-resistant vents: These vents can help block embers from entering attics and crawl spaces, making the added protection well worth the investment.
Upgrade windows: Multi-pane, tempered glass windows are far more resistant to heat and flames than single-pane alternatives, so homeowners should consider replacing windows over time, prioritizing areas that face the most risk.
Use noncombustible gutter covers: Installing gutter covers reduces long-term maintenance needs but also prevents easily ignitable debris from accumulating.
Apply fire-resistant caulking: Seal gaps and cracks around windows and siding with fire-resistant caulking to, you guessed it: block ember entry.
Maintain decks properly: As a highly vulnerable part of a home, keep the area under decks clear of debris and replace the closest boards to the home with fire-resistant materials, or treat them with fire retardant.

Prioritizing retrofits like these can not only improve a home’s fire resilience but also help homeowners save on insurance premiums. And as insurance companies continue to push for stricter building codes, for individuals who are not in a position to build a new home, retrofitting may become an essential step to maintain coverage.

Related: After a wildfire: 10 recovery steps you need to take

Protect what matters most

The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires demands that homeowners, builders and insurers all adapt to a new reality. In some states, insurers are already offering discounts to homeowners who adopt fire-resistant building standards but as they continue to refine their risk models, it’s likely that fire-resistant certification from IBHS may become a standard requirement for coverage in wildfire-prone areas. In the meantime, however, by adopting fire-resistant materials, creating defensible spaces and taking advantage of lower-cost retrofits, homeowners can protect their investment by significantly reducing their risk of wildfire damage and maybe even see savings on their insurance policies.

Encourage your clients to act now because the cost of inaction may be far greater than the price of building smarter and safer fire-resistant homes.

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