Decks and Fire: Materials, Detailing, and Under-Deck Enclosure
Attached wood decks are one of the most common wildfire ignition points. This article covers decking materials, under-deck enclosure strategies, Chapter 7A requirements, and realistic costs for a deck retrofit.
Fences and Fire: How Fences Carry Fire to Homes
Wood fences attached to houses are a well-documented ignition pathway in wildfires. This article explains how fences carry fire, what the last five feet should be made of, and realistic retrofit options.
Fire-Resistant Landscaping Plants by Region
No plant is truly fireproof, but some burn far more readily than others. This guide walks through lower-flammability options by region — SoCal, NorCal, Colorado, the PNW, Arizona, and the Texas Hill Country.
Tree Spacing, Limbing, and Irrigation for Fire Safety
Trees are a defensible-space decision, not a landscaping decision. This guide covers crown spacing, limbing height, irrigation, and what to keep or remove near your house.
Home Hardening Budget Tiers: What $5K, $25K, and $100K Gets You
A realistic look at what three different home hardening budgets actually buy for a typical 2,000 sq ft Western home in 2025–2026, from the $5K weekend to a $100K capital project.
Fire-Resistant Siding: Fiber Cement, Stucco, Metal, and Treated Wood
A comparison of fire-resistant siding options for wildfire zones, covering fiber cement, stucco, metal, masonry, and ignition-resistant treated wood, with Chapter 7A requirements and realistic installed costs.
Chapter 7A of the California Building Code, Explained for Homeowners
Chapter 7A is the part of the California Building Code that governs construction in wildfire-prone areas. Here's what it requires, where it applies, and how to read it as a homeowner rather than a code official.
How Home Hardening Affects Insurance in California
California now requires admitted insurers to recognize specific wildfire mitigations when pricing policies. Here is what the rule actually does, what it doesn't do, and how homeowners should think about it.
Dual-Pane Tempered Windows for Fire Zones
Why single-pane windows fail in wildfires, what dual-pane tempered means, and how to specify windows that meet Chapter 7A and survive radiant heat. Includes realistic cost ranges for retrofit and replacement.
Retrofitting an Existing Home: Priority Order and Cost Ranges
A practical, priority-ordered guide to retrofitting an existing home for wildfire, with realistic 2025–2026 cost ranges for a typical 2,000 sq ft Western single-family house.