Wildfires have become increasingly common. It might seem like a distant threat, but the reality is that a small flame can engulf a home in just a few minutes. Protecting your biggest investment involves proactive measures, like using the right building products such as fire-resistant siding.
Many people might feel helpless or too busy, or overwhelmed with things to do around the house that are not related to fire-resistant siding. This guide is intended to give more awareness, tips, and actionable advice. Readers should finish this content feeling empowered to take action, regardless of whether they feel those issues.
Understanding Fire Risk and Siding
The risk of fire damage isn’t limited to just wildfires. The risk of damage from even a simple kitchen fire or faulty outlet is a valid threat. Having a defense from it matters.
Wildfires are becoming more intense and frequent. Research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association attributes this to climate change causing longer wildfire seasons.
Recent wildfires have been particularly destructive. They’ve tossed embers over great distances with nearly double the tree cover burned compared to 20 years ago. Many Americans are finding this out.
The Vulnerability of Homes
A significant portion of the US population lives in areas with a high wildfire risk. In fact, one in six Americans reside in a location facing a real danger of wildfire. That number is about 80 million properties.
Even if your home isn’t in a traditionally wildfire-prone area, considering fire safety is always smart. Your home’s exterior plays a critical role in its defense against fire. Even basic cooking errors inside a home can start issues.
How Siding Protects Your Home
House siding serves as the first line of defense against external fires. Different siding materials offer varying degrees of fire resistance.
Think of your siding as a shield. Some shields are stronger than others, and this determines how well your home can withstand a fire. Choosing the right siding material helps protect your property, no matter how it started.
Fire Resistant Siding Materials
Several siding options exist. Understanding their different levels of fire protection is really important.
Some materials are naturally better at resisting fire. We need to know the facts, even if this reality is unpleasant, in order to plan appropriately.
Fiber Cement: A Top Performer
Fiber cement siding consistently ranks as a top choice for fire resistance. This is due to its composite nature.
Fiber cement combines cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. The mixture results in a durable and non-combustible material.
Many fiber cement products boast a Class A fire rating. It is the highest rating available in that category of material.
Metal Siding: Tough and Fireproof
Metal siding, including aluminum siding and steel siding, offers great fire protection. These materials are classified as noncombustible siding so they won’t ignite.
Metal’s ability to withstand high heat. This strength is from fire, but extends to weather issues such as hail or powerful rain as well.
Brick and Stone: Naturally Fire-Resistant
Brick and stone siding are naturally great materials. This stems from their inherent non-combustible properties.
Their solid structure creates a barrier. This design stops fire getting in a wall’s interior stud cavity.
Stucco Siding: A One-Hour Barrier
Stucco, both traditional and synthetic, gives reliable protection as well. Properly installed stucco siding gets a one-hour fire rating.
This means it can resist fire for up to an hour. Afterwards, that time frame is usually long enough for help to get to the home.
Siding Materials to Avoid
Certain siding options offer significantly less protection. Many options perform differently with heat or flames.
Wood Siding: A Flammable Choice
Wood siding is naturally combustible. Though aesthetically pleasing, it fuels fire, so a house quickly gets caught and starts burning with this material choice.
Siding wood can be treated with flame retardants. But even these are significantly worse options for people.
Though wood materials add an appealing quality, when the wood panel fails, the house will become vulnerable.
Vinyl Siding: Melts Under Heat
Vinyl siding melts when exposed to flames. This not only exposes the underlying structure but also releases toxic gasses.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) does not recommend siding vinyl for homes in high-risk fire areas. The organization recognizes vinyl siding is simply not designed to help with preventing a fire.
Here’s a table to show how Vinyl Siding really performs when facing various elements:
| Element | Performance of Vinyl |
|---|---|
| Fire | Melts easily and will likely be unfixable |
| Hail | Impact could lead to cracks in the siding, requiring it to be replaced |
| Rain | Can create mildew or fungus issues over time without maintenance |
| Time (Overall) | Has short siding durability due to it being weaker compared to alternatives |
| Aesthetics | Can replicate different aesthetic appeal but fades quickly |
Beyond Siding: Comprehensive Fire Protection
While siding is critical, achieving comprehensive fire protection needs a complete look. We need to do everything we can.
Areas like the roof eaves, vents, and surrounding vegetation need attention. We do not want vulnerabilities for these spots in a house.
Addressing Soffits and Overhangs
Adding strip vents near the overhang edge is a great improvement. Installing 1/8-inch mesh over vent openings makes sure less debris get inside these openings, a crucial step to stopping ember entry.
Managing Landscaping and Vegetation
Keeping your yard tidy reduces fire risk. Clearing flammable materials near the house limits fuel for the fire.
Create a “defensible space”. Maintaining a buffer zone gives crucial protection.
FAQs About Fire Resistant Siding
What siding is most fire-resistant?
Fire-resistant fiber cement, metal, brick, and stone are amongst the best choices. Fiber cement offers an effective blend of protection and design versatility.
What siding won’t burn?
Metal siding, particularly aluminum and steel, are non-combustible so it won’t catch flames.
How do you make wood siding fire-resistant?
While naturally flammable, wood siding wood resistance will slightly go up with fire-retardant treatments. However, its overall risk level remains fair high compared to other options.
Conclusion
We never know if and when an accident may happen to cause a fire, despite all the safeguards taken to avoid any disaster from it. Choosing fire-resistant siding becomes that last line of defense to protect homes. Recent studies have confirmed that things have worsened for a reason.
It is about a decision and proactive choice to create a more peaceful home. It extends into all aspects of building design as well. Using the right building materials is part of the solution.
Making your home a fire-resistant house is important, even without all these changes that are happening in our climate. Home safety starts on the exterior walls of the home and that includes the material that people will choose to defend from disaster. Picking a quality siding product will give much more fire-resistant siding material and peace of mind compared to flammable material or highly combustible choices like solid wood.
