How to Harden Your Home for Ember Resistance
In the wildfire-prone regions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, protecting your home from ember attacks is crucial. Embers—small, windborne burning particles—are responsible for igniting the majority of homes during wildfires. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, hardening your home against these embers is more important than ever. This blog will explore the best methods and materials for hardening your home against ember attacks and radiant heat.
In the wildfire-prone regions of Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, California, protecting your home from ember attacks is crucial. Embers—small, windborne burning particles—are responsible for igniting the majority of homes during wildfires. As climate change intensifies fire seasons, hardening your home against these embers is more important than ever. This blog will explore the best methods and materials for hardening your home against ember attacks and radiant heat.
Understanding Ember Resistance
Ember resistance involves making your home less susceptible to ignition from flying embers. This includes sealing gaps, using fire-resistant materials, and creating defensible space. Local fire agencies, such as the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, emphasize that "home hardening includes using fire-resistant building materials, adopting safe landscaping practices, and implementing preventative measures to reduce fire risk and enhance property safety" (cccfpd.org).
Key Areas to Harden
1. Roofing
Your roof is a primary target for embers. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District recommends installing Class A fire-rated roofing materials, such as metal, clay, or concrete tiles, to prevent ignition from flying embers. Avoid using wood shakes or untreated wood shingles, as they are highly combustible.
Recommendation: Opt for Class A fire-rated materials like metal, clay, or concrete tiles.
Avoid: Wood shakes or untreated wood shingles.
By using these materials, you can significantly reduce the risk of ember ignition on your roof.
2. Vents and Eaves
Embers can enter your home through vents and eaves. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District offers free ember-resistant vent mesh and provides reimbursement for the installation of ember-resistant vents (mofd.org). Additionally, CAL FIRE advises installing 1/16-inch to 1/8-inch noncombustible, corrosion-resistant metal mesh over vents to block embers from entering (readyforwildfire.org).
Recommendation: Install ember-resistant vents with 1/8-inch mesh and screened soffits.
Avoid: Unprotected vents and poorly sealed eaves.
Sealing these gaps will prevent embers from entering your attic or other cavities, reducing the risk of fire spreading inside your home.
3. Windows
Windows are another vulnerable part of your home. Heat from radiant heat or flying embers can cause windows to crack or shatter, allowing embers to enter your home. To reduce the risk, choose windows that are resistant to high temperatures and flying debris.
Recommendation: Install dual-pane tempered glass windows, which are stronger and provide better protection against heat and embers.
Avoid: Single-pane windows or acrylic windows, which are more likely to shatter or melt under high heat.
Tempered glass windows will not only withstand higher temperatures but also prevent embers from entering your home if the glass is exposed to radiant heat.
4. Siding and Decking
Combustible siding and decking materials can catch fire from embers. The East Bay Wildfire Coalition of Governments advises using fire-resistant materials like fiber cement or metal for siding and decking to reduce the risk of ignition (eastbaywildfire.org).
Recommendation: Use fiber cement board or metal for siding, and fire-rated composite decking or metal grating for decks.
Avoid: Vinyl siding, untreated wood, and wood decking.
These materials are less likely to catch fire from airborne embers, helping to protect your home from the initial spark that could lead to a larger blaze.
5. Gutters
Debris-filled gutters can ignite from embers. The Moraga-Orinda Fire District recommends installing metal gutter guards to prevent debris accumulation and reduce fire risk (mofd.org).
Recommendation: Install metal gutters with gutter guards to keep debris from collecting.
Avoid: Plastic or vinyl gutters, which are easily ignited.
Regularly cleaning gutters and installing metal gutter guards will ensure that debris doesn’t become fuel for a potential fire.
6. Decking: Wildfire-Rated or Noncombustible
Decks are a common point of vulnerability during wildfires, as embers often settle underneath and can ignite the wood. To protect your home, consider fire-rated decking materials.
Recommendation: Opt for fire-rated composite decking or metal decking to prevent embers from igniting the surface.
Avoid: Wooden decking, which can easily catch fire from underneath.
By choosing non-combustible or fire-rated decking materials, you can create a safer outdoor space that won’t contribute to the spread of fire.
Creating Defensible Space
Defensible space is the buffer you create between your home and the surrounding vegetation. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District emphasizes that "defensible space, coupled with home hardening, is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire" (cccfpd.org).
Zone 0 (0–5 feet from the home)
This area should be free of combustible materials. The Berkeley FireSafe Council advises removing mulch, leaves, and other flammable materials within this zone to prevent ember ignition (berkeleyfiresafe.org).
Recommendation: Clear combustible materials such as mulch, leaves, and dry grass from the 0-5 foot zone.
Avoid: Any materials that can easily catch fire, such as bark mulch and dry grass.
A clean, non-combustible zone ensures that embers won’t have a chance to ignite the area immediately surrounding your home.
Zone 1 (5–30 feet from the home)
Maintain a defensible space by clearing dead vegetation and creating horizontal and vertical spacing between trees and shrubs. The East Bay Wildfire Coalition recommends using fire-resistant plants and maintaining defensible space to reduce fire risk (eastbaywildfire.org).
Recommendation: Remove dead vegetation, space trees and shrubs at least 18 feet apart, and use low-growing fire-resistant plants.
Avoid: Planting highly flammable plants, like juniper or pine trees, close to the house.
This zone serves as a buffer to slow or stop fire from reaching your home. Properly spaced trees and fire-resistant plants will significantly reduce your risk.
Zone 2 (30–100 feet from the home)
This area should be managed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District advises thinning trees and shrubs to create a defensible space that helps protect your home from catching fire (cccfpd.org).
Recommendation: Thin trees and large shrubs to maintain spacing and reduce the fuel load.
Avoid: Overgrown vegetation and ladder fuels that allow fire to climb to the tree canopy.
Proper vegetation management in this zone will help slow down a wildfire’s approach and provide a better chance for firefighters to defend your home.
Local Resources and Incentives
Several local agencies offer resources and incentives to assist homeowners in hardening their homes:
Moraga-Orinda Fire District: Offers a Home Hardening Grant Program that provides reimbursement for the purchase of ember-resistant vents and gutter guards (mofd.org).
Berkeley Fire Department: Provides guidelines and resources for home hardening and defensible space through the FireSafe Berkeley initiative (berkeleyfiresafe.org).
CAL FIRE: Offers comprehensive information on home hardening and defensible space on their website (fire.ca.gov).
Conclusion
Hardening your home against ember attacks is a proactive step in safeguarding your property from wildfires. By implementing the recommendations from local fire agencies and utilizing available resources, you can significantly reduce the risk of your home igniting from flying embers. Remember, creating a defensible space and using fire-resistant materials are key components in enhancing your home's resilience to wildfires.
Related Blogs in Our Series:
Best Fire-Resistant Building Materials for Zone 0 & Zone 1
When defending your home against wildfires, no area is more critical than the first 5 feet: Zone 0. This zone is where embers land, where flammable materials accumulate, and where ignition often begins. But the good news is that you don’t need to undertake a complete rebuild to make meaningful changes—you just need to choose the right fire-resistant materials.
When defending your home against wildfires, no area is more critical than the first 5 feet: Zone 0. This zone is where embers land, where flammable materials accumulate, and where ignition often begins. But the good news is that you don’t need to undertake a complete rebuild to make meaningful changes—you just need to choose the right fire-resistant materials.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best fire-resistant materials for key areas of your home’s exterior that are vulnerable to wildfire risks. Zone 0 and Zone 1 are key components of a broader wildfire defense strategy. Together with defensible space and other protective measures, the right materials can significantly increase your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire.
Let’s dive into the best fire-resistant options for your home.
1. Roofing: Go Class A or Better
Your roof is one of the largest and most exposed surfaces of your home. During a wildfire, it’s extremely vulnerable to ember attacks, which can easily ignite roofs made from combustible materials. For maximum protection, your roof should be made of materials that are Class A fire-rated, which provide the highest level of fire resistance.
Best Choices:
Composite Shingles (Class A): These are a cost-effective option that offers excellent fire resistance.
Clay or Concrete Tiles: Both materials are durable and naturally fire-resistant.
Standing Seam Metal Roofing: A fire-resistant and durable choice that provides long-lasting protection.
Avoid:
Wood Shakes: These are highly combustible and should be avoided in fire-prone areas.
Unrated Asphalt Shingles: While cheaper, these shingles lack sufficient fire resistance.
Source: CAL FIRE - Ready for Wildfire
2. Siding: Choose Noncombustible Materials
Siding is your home’s protective “skin,” shielding it from the elements and wildfires. During a wildfire, siding needs to withstand not only radiant heat but also the risk of embers landing and igniting the structure. Fire-resistant siding materials help protect your home by creating a barrier that keeps flames at bay.
Best Choices:
Fiber Cement Board (like HardiePlank): This material is highly fire-resistant, durable, and low-maintenance.
Metal Siding: Provides robust protection against fire and is long-lasting.
Three-Coat Stucco: A great option for homes in wildfire zones. It’s made of noncombustible materials and can resist heat.
Avoid:
Vinyl: This material can melt easily under intense heat, and it can also catch fire.
Untreated Wood: Wood is highly flammable and should be avoided in high-risk areas.
3. Gutters: Steel Over Plastic
Gutters play a key role in managing rainwater, but they can also be a major fire risk. Debris, leaves, and pine needles can collect in gutters, and when exposed to embers or radiant heat, these materials can easily catch fire. To prevent this, steel gutters with metal guards are the best choice.
Best Choices:
Aluminum or Galvanized Steel: These materials are fire-resistant and durable.
Metal Gutter Guards: These prevent the buildup of debris and provide an extra layer of defense against ember ignition.
Avoid:
Plastic or Vinyl Gutters: These are easily ignitable and melt under heat.
4. Soffits & Eaves: Seal Them Tight
Soffits and eaves are often overlooked but are key points of entry for flying embers. Unsealed gaps allow embers to travel straight into your attic or roof cavities. These spaces can catch fire quickly, especially in a wildfire.
Best Choices:
Boxed-In Eaves with Fiber Cement Soffit Board: This material is fire-resistant and helps seal the gaps that allow embers to enter.
Screened Vents with 1/8" Mesh or Intumescent Backing: These vent covers block embers from getting inside while still allowing airflow.
Source: Berkeley FireSafe Council
Avoid:
Unprotected or poorly sealed eaves and soffits.
5. Windows: Stronger Glass, Less Risk
Windows are another vulnerable part of your home during a wildfire. Heat from radiant heat or flying embers can cause windows to crack or shatter, letting embers enter your home. To reduce the risk, you’ll need to choose windows that are resistant to high temperatures and flying debris.
Best Choices:
Dual-Pane Tempered Glass Windows: These are stronger than standard glass and provide greater heat resistance.
Tempered Glass: This type of glass is designed to withstand higher temperatures without breaking, making it ideal for homes in wildfire zones.
Avoid:
Single-Pane Glass Windows: They shatter more easily and offer minimal protection against radiant heat.
Acrylic Windows: These materials can melt under extreme heat.
6. Doors: Solid Core and Fire-Rated
Your front, side, and garage doors need to be fire-resistant to prevent fire from entering your home. Fire-rated doors provide protection against heat and flames, and should be considered in your wildfire defense plan.
Best Choices:
Steel Doors: Steel is one of the best fire-resistant materials and helps prevent the spread of flames.
Fire-Rated Solid Wood or Fiberglass: These materials are designed to withstand heat and prevent fires from entering through doors.
7. Decking: Wildfire-Rated or Noncombustible
Decks are a common point of vulnerability during wildfires. Embers often settle under decks and can quickly ignite wooden surfaces. To protect your home, consider fire-rated decking materials.
Best Choices:
Fire-Rated Composite Decking: These materials provide a non-combustible, durable surface for outdoor spaces.
Metal Grating or Concrete Slab Construction: These options offer a more permanent, fire-resistant deck.
Avoid:
Wooden Decking: It’s highly combustible and can catch fire from underneath, allowing embers to ignite the deck and spread to your home.
8. Perimeter Ground Cover: Preventing Ember Ignition
Zone 0 isn’t just about the materials on your home; it also includes the ground around it. Creating a non-combustible perimeter helps prevent embers from landing near your home.
Best Choices:
Gravel: Gravel provides an excellent non-combustible ground cover that helps prevent fires from spreading.
Decomposed Granite: This material is both attractive and fire-resistant.
Concrete or Stone Pavers: These materials can create a solid, fireproof foundation around your home.
Avoid:
Bark Mulch: While often used in landscaping, bark mulch is highly flammable and should be avoided in high-risk areas.
Dry Grass: Grass can easily catch fire and should be kept well-maintained.
Bonus: Full-Structure Fire Shielding
Even with the best materials in place, there are scenarios—like a neighbor’s home catching fire—where radiant heat and ember storms may overwhelm your defenses. That’s where full-structure fire shielding comes in.
Our solution is:
Waterless (no plumbing or sprinkler system needed)
Self-sufficient (no supervision required)
Rated to 3,000°F, with deployment designed to protect against ember storms and radiant heat
Final Thought:
Fire-resistant building materials can’t stop every fire—but they give your home a fighting chance. Combined with defensible space and smart upgrades, these materials are one of the most important tools we have in the fight against wildfires.
The Zone Zero Fire Shield team hopes you find this information helpful.
Related Blogs in Our Series:
Creating a Fire-Safe Perimeter