When living in a wildfire-prone area, the biggest hurdle for homeowners is achieving a hard or fire-resistant exterior. While it may seem like a monumental task at the beginning, it’s well worth it to invest in all fire-safe products and materials to harden your home during a renovation. However, it’s important to remember that a fire-resistant product is only as good as the installation.

Be sure to hire a professional home contractor who is experienced in fire-resistant construction and can ensure that all installations are carried out to the manufacturer’s specifications. A poor installation can undermine even the best materials, so make sure the job is done right. Here are key areas to focus on when hardening your home for wildfire protection:

 

• Roofing
• Siding
• Gutters and Vents
• Windows
• Doors
• Outdoor Living
• Landscaping

Class A Rated Roofing

One of the largest concerns with a wildfire is flying embers landing on roofs. While there are plenty of ways to keep a wildfire from spreading onto your property, the only way to keep embers from landing on your roof and starting a house fire is to have Class A roofing installed.

Class A roofing materials offer the highest level of fire resistance to protect your home’s roof decking from igniting. Take additional precautions by selecting a Class A roof decking and roof underlayment to enhance the fire protection properties. During your home remodel in a wildfire-prone area, ask your roofing contractor about the following Class A roofing materials:

 

• Metal Roofing

• • • Steel
    • Aluminum
    • Copper

• Clay Tiles

• • • Terracotta Tiles
    • Concrete Tiles

• Slate Roofing

• • • Natural Slate
    • Synthetic Slate

• Fiber Cement Roofing

• Coated Asphalt Shingles

Class A Siding Materials

Alongside your home’s roofing system, its siding is one of the most exposed products to an encroaching wildfire. Once a fire reaches your exterior walls, it can spread rapidly, which is why it’s important to ensure that your siding can withstand high temperatures and flying embers. Give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire disaster by choosing a Class A siding material, installed by a professional.

Just like roofing systems, Class A siding products offer the highest level of protection from fires. These materials are designed to resist the intense heat and prevent flames from reaching the interior of your home. By replacing wood or vinyl siding with one of the following fire-resistant products, your home will be better equipped to withstand a natural disaster:

 

• Fiber Cement Siding

• Stucco Siding

• Stone and Brick Walls

• Metal Siding

• • • Steel
    • Aluminum
    • Copper

• Concrete Board

• Synthetic Slate

Gutters and Ventilation Systems

Your home’s gutters and ventilation systems are vulnerable areas that will be directly exposed to an incoming wildfire. To avoid catastrophe, upgrade from plastic to metal gutters that won’t melt or catch fire. During wildfire season, regularly clean your gutters and rooftops to eliminate any combustible materials from your exterior.

Additionally, equip all vents and openings with a fine wire mesh to reduce the chance of embers entering the home. Unprotected roof vents are one of the biggest concerns for homeowners who live in wildfire-prone areas.

Class A Windows

Windows are one of the weak spots for wildfires because intense heat and flames can easily break through glass that is not rated for fire resistance. Even the smallest crack or weakness in your windows can allow flames and embers to enter, putting your entire home at risk. To achieve a fire-resistant home, all windows must be Class A rated to ensure maximum protection.

To ensure a fire-resistant window replacement, a professional must follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer. Failure to properly install the new windows could lead to them failing to protect in a wildfire. Class A windows are designed with the following features:

• Fire-Resistant Glass
• • • Tempered Glass
    • Laminated Glass

• Dual-Pane Glass

• Fire-Resistant Frames

• • • Aluminum or Steel
    • Fiberglass
    • Composite Materials

• Ember-Resistant Screens

• Intumescent Weatherstripping

• Fire-Resistant Seals

• Heat-Resistant Coatings

Fire-Safe Doors

Fire-resistant home doors are rated based on their ability to resist flame spread for up to one, two, or three hours. Tests are conducted to identify performance with heat resistance, flame spread, smoke containment, and structural integrity. These ratings help determine how well the door can prevent the spread of fire and smoke into your home, providing critical protection during a wildfire.

In the event of a wildfire, you need to know that your home’s doors can withstand the intensity of flames without failing. This is crucial for maintaining a point of egress even after the flames have dissipated, ensuring your family can safely evacuate if needed. Consider the following options for a fire-safe entry door:

• Steel Doors
• Wooden Doors

• • • Mineral Core
    • Honeycomb Core
    • Polyurethane core

• Fiberglass Doors

• Glass Doors

Decks, Porches, and Outdoor Recreation

Assess your deck, porch, and outdoor recreation area for any products or materials that could catch fire during a wildfire. For a fully fire-resistant home, you’ll want to replace each material with a fire-resistant alternative to resist ignition from flames, heat, or embers. During a deck remodel, talk to your home contractor about options for fire-resistant materials including the following:

• Steel Decking
• Composite Decking

• Concrete Slabs

• Treated Wood

• Aluminum Decking

• Stone Patio

 

Additional precautions can include fire-resistant patio furniture and grills. Consider keeping your grill’s propane tank in a fire-resistant box when it’s not in use. When adding structures to your property like sheds and playhouses, keep everything a minimum of 30 feet from the main home or garage.

Fencing, Landscaping, and Defensible Space

Your yard is your home’s first defense against an incoming wildfire. Make sure the fire will stop at your fence line by replacing your wood fence with a metal alternative. For landscaping, choose fire-resistant plants and vegetation that won’t provide the fire with fuel to grow.

One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to protect your property is by clearing a defensible space around the perimeter. This can be achieved by removing all vegetation and debris within 30 feet of your home. Combining these strategies gives your home a great chance at stopping the spread of a wildfire before it gets too close for comfort.

Fire-Resistant Remodeling Solutions for Wildfire Protection

While there’s no such thing as a 100% fire-proof home yet, strides are being made in the home remodeling industry to provide safer products, materials, and homeowner recommendations to battle wildfires that enter residential areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2025), “Wildfires are increasing around the globe in frequency, severity and duration…”

This is a key indicator that homeowners need to take matters into their own hands to ask their contractors for fire-resistant products at every opportunity. This could not only save your home from burning down during a wildfire but also stop the spread to other neighborhoods. Take a more in-depth look at ways to safeguard your home from a wildfire:

 

• Create Defensible Space
• Maintain Emergency Access
• Use Fire-Resistant Building Materials
• Maintain Gutters and Roofing
• Install a Sprinkler System
• Distance Between Structures

 

Take Action Now and Secure the Fire-Resistant Upgrades Your Home Needs

When it comes to the safety of your family and home, there’s no room to compromise on the quality of your building materials. Consider fire-rated products to make every aspect of your exterior flame, heat, and ember-resistant. The first person to turn to when interested in creating a wildfire-resistant home is a trusted local contractor.

Use our comprehensive network of qualified home remodelers to help you find the perfect fit for the job, ensuring you get the best advice, materials, and installation to safeguard your home. Don’t wait until it’s too late, connect with the right professional today and make your home safer for tomorrow!