Home Hardening

Roofs

• Replace wood shake or shingle roof with Class A roof (asphalt shingles, tile or cement shingles, or metal panels).
• Keep clear of debris and vegetation.
• Fill in gaps between the roof covering and the sheathing.

Gutters

• Remove debris and vegetation on a regular basis.
• Install noncombustible gutter covers to prevent accumulation of debris and vegetation.
• Replace combustible gutters, such as vinyl, with noncombustible materials. 

Eaves

• Inspect open-eave areas for gaps where embers could enter into the attic.
• Enclose under-eave area to create a soffited eave.

Vents

• Replace old vents with flame and ember resistant vents or cover them with noncombustible metal mesh between 1/16-inch and 1/8-inch in diameter. 
• Keep debris away from vents.
• Ensure all vents are properly sealed with no tears or openings.

Siding

• Replace combustible siding with noncombustible materials, such as stucco, steel or fiber cement.
• Repair all gaps and holes in the siding.
• If full replacement is not possible, consider partial replacement by using noncombustible siding material for the bottom 2 feet from the ground.

Windows

• Upgrade to double-pane tempered glass windows. 
• Replace framing with noncombustible metal framing material.
• Remove vegetation and other outside combustible materials by all windows. 
• Install screens on all operable windows. 

Skylights

• Remove vegetation from roofs, including on and adjacent to skylights.
• Install glass skylights on sloped roofs.
• Cover operable skylights with noncombustible metal mesh screen.

Decks

• Remove vegetation such as leaves and pine needles from underneath and on top of the deck.
• Upgrade combustible deck boards with noncombustible options.
• If deck is on a slope, create defensible space downslope of the deck.

Fences

• Replace attached combustible fencing or gates with a noncombustible material for the first five feet.
• Remove vegetation growing on fences.