Essential for fire-resistant homes: Install non-flammable fences - according to experts, these materials effectively balance aesthetics and safety.
Wildfires have become an alarming reality, especially in California. Over the past few years, these disasters have increased in frequency and severity, causing massive destruction. To combat this issue, new fire safety regulations, known as firescaping, are being developed in California and are due to be finalized by 2025. These regulations will focus on Zone 0, the five-foot perimeter around a home, requiring the removal of flammable items.
One of the significant changes in Zone 0 will be the replacement of wooden fences and gates. Expert Chris Schneider from Oldcastle APG emphasizes the importance of choosing fire-resistant materials for the exterior of structures, including fences, to limit the devastation from wildfires. For instance, metal fences, such as aluminum or steel, can be an effective non-combustible option. Landscape designer Laura Osteen of San-Francisco-based Secret Garden Landscapes favors aluminum fences due to their durability, long-lasting nature, and customization possibilities.
However, the downside is the cost. Aluminum fences are more expensive than traditional wooden ones, and only a few fencing companies are starting to use them. One way to save costs is by using panels instead of gates, but this isn't always practical when side yards are small. It's important to note that picket designs in metal fences should be avoided as they do not create a firewall, allowing a fire to move through the pickets.
In addition to metal fences, other non-combustible options include concrete, masonry, or cinder block walls, fiber cement siding, and combining fiber cement panels with metal posts and rails. These options can work well in modern schemes and even serve as a radiant heat barrier between neighboring homes.
In the face of increasing wildfire activity, it's essential to make proactive choices regarding fencing materials. However, homeowners are advised to wait until regulations are finalized to ensure compliance with the new standards. While they wait, researching and understanding the differences between combustible and non-combustible fencing options is crucial for a fire-resistant and safer home.
- To prioritize fire safety in one's home, the landscaping company Secret Garden Landscapes suggests choosing aluminum fences due to their durability, longevity, and customization potential.
- Apart from aluminum fences, environmental-science and home-and-garden experts suggest other non-combustible fencing options such as concrete, masonry, or cinder block walls, fiber cement siding, and metal panel-and-rail combinations to create fire-resistant homes.
- When it comes to lifestyle adjustments in response to climate-change and wildfire concerns, homeowners are encouraged to consider the cost difference between conventional and non-combustible fencing materials, as well as the practicality of panel use and picket designs in metal fences, to maintain a fire-resistant and safer environment for their homes.
