Fire season in Shingle Springs, CA starts mid-May and ends in October. Throughout much of the year, there’s a high risk of dry brush igniting and wreaking havoc on the surrounding communities. Fortunately, there are many ways to increase your home’s fire resistance and minimize the risk of property destruction. Among the best places to start is your siding. With the right siding materials and diligent siding maintenance, you can make this important home feature far less flammable. The following are five tips to keep in mind as you buffer your home.
1. Consider Your Siding’s Age and Upgrade to a More Fire-Resistant Material
Depending upon its composition, siding can last anywhere from 20 to 70 years. In fact, with proper installation and maintenance, some options in fiber cement siding can last a full century.
If you have cedar siding on your home, you can expect it to last five decades or more. However, cedar siding and other real wood siding types are also among the most flammable. With time, exposure to the natural elements and the sun’s UV rays can cause wood siding to dry out. Drying isn’t a common issue for vinyl, steel, fiber cement, or aluminum, but it frequently occurs in wood products after they’ve reached their half-life.
If you have dry cedar siding on your home or any other siding that’s nearing the end of its lifespan, replacing it before the fire season starts is a good investment to keep your home safe. It is also an excellent time to explore ignition-resistant and flame-resistant siding. Even if you’re fairly handy, replacing siding is a job that professionals should always handle. Professional siding installation will give you the greatest amount of fire protection, access to high-end products, and assured code compliance.
Treat Wood With a Fire-Resistant Coating
For homes with newly installed wood siding or where alternative materials aren’t suitable, applying a fire-resistant coating can enhance your siding’s durability against flames. These coatings improve fire resistance and may help your home meet building code requirements in fire-prone areas.
Several types of flame-resistant coatings are available. Intumescent paints expand when exposed to heat to create a protective barrier. Alternatively, flame-retardant sprays chemically inhibit the spread of fire. These coatings penetrate or adhere to the wood and are designed to be part of your siding’s overall fire protection strategy. They can last for years with proper maintenance. For maximum effectiveness, it’s essential that the coating is applied evenly and according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What Are the Requirements for Code Compliance?
According to California building codes, all homes in fire-prone areas like Shingle Springs must have siding that’s:
- Made from ignition-resistant or non-combustible materials
- Capable of withstanding 10 minutes of flame exposure
- Constructed of logs or heavy timber at the outer assembly
All flame resistance and penetration resistance must comply with the SFM Standard 12-7A-1.
Which Siding Design Is Most Fire-Resistant?
Material isn’t the only factor that determines how fire-resistant your siding is. How siding is installed also plays a hand in its ability to withstand heat. For instance, plain bevel siding has points of vulnerability at each joint, but more complex beveling techniques, such as tongue-and-groove and shiplap styles, do not.
Much has been learned about enhancing the fire resistance of buildings throughout the years. This is another great reason to have your aging siding replaced as part of your fire prevention plan. Your installer can choose materials and an installation method that make your home far more resilient.
2. Purchase a Fire-Resistant Gel Coating
Investing in a fire-resistant gel coating and learning how to apply it can be a valuable part of your wildfire preparedness plan. These commercial-grade products are designed to coat the exterior of your siding as a temporary buffer against flames. While firefighters often use expanding foams during active fires to reduce the risk of ignition, homeowners can also purchase fire-resistant gel coatings and apply them just as a wildfire threat emerges.
These gels contain water-absorbing polymers that, when activated with water, create a thick, insulating barrier against heat and flames. Firefighters can even reactivate the gel by respraying it with water if they arrive after the initial application has dried out.
The effectiveness of most fire-resistant gel coatings lasts between six and 36 hours, depending on environmental conditions. Some products can resist temperatures as high as 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Having a gel coating and sprayer on hand for quick application could be the difference between losing your home and protecting it during a wildfire.
3. Install Fire-Resistant Materials Behind Your Siding
Adding fire-resistant materials behind your siding can significantly enhance your home’s ability to withstand wildfires. Fire-resistant gypsum is one effective option to consider. If you’re replacing your siding, installing this material directly behind it provides an extra layer of defense.
In addition to gypsum, other materials like cement board, mineral wool insulation, and specialized fire-resistant sheathing can be installed behind your siding for added security. When combined with non-combustible or flame-resistant siding, these materials create a robust, multi-layered barrier against fire.
4. Harden Your Home
Home-hardening is the process of making buildings more fire-resistant. Although it includes installing non-combustible siding and other non-combustible building elements, it also requires rigorous cleanup of the surrounding areas. If you have dry twigs, leaves, and other organic debris in your gutters, around the perimeter of your home, or at the base of your downspouts, your property is not ignition-resistant. In the right conditions, these things can serve as kindling and could ignite with a single spark or errant, burning ember.
If your home is surrounded by wood decking, all wood deck surfaces should also be treated with fire-resistant coating as well. When purchasing fire-resistant gel, always buy enough to treat your deck, too.
5. Ensure Your Siding Has at Least Five Feet of Clearance Around Your Home
Maintaining at least five feet of clearance around your siding is crucial, especially during fire season. This zone, often referred to as the “immediate zone” or “home ignition zone,” is essential in reducing the chances of your home catching fire. Even if your siding and deck are made from fire-resistant materials, having flammable items within this area can undermine your fire prevention efforts.
Keep propane grills, outdoor furniture, and other ignition sources at a safe distance from the building. Additionally, trim back or remove any vegetation that touches your siding to create a clear buffer between your home and the surrounding landscape. This defensible space reduces the risk of flames spreading to your home from dry brush or shrubs. Also, it makes it easier to apply a protective gel coating if evacuation becomes necessary.
Contact the Local Siding Professionals
At Taylor Made Construction, we are a family-owned business with generations of experience that has served the residents of Shingle Springs, CA and the surrounding areas for years. We install, repair, and maintain siding. We can also help with all your decking, fencing, window, and door needs. Contact us today to schedule a siding repair appointment with one of our knowledgeable team members.
