It’s perfectly normal for people considering an exterior facelift for their home to focus on color and style, and yes, those are important elements. However, other factors can be just as important or even more so.
Fire safety should be one of them.
No one wants to think about the risk of fire, but keeping your family and home safe is important. Why choose an exterior material that provides no protection, like vinyl siding, or can actually increase risk, like wood shingles?
James Hardie Siding Saves Money and Saves Lives
Because James Hardie siding and shingles are made of asbestos-free fiber cement, it’s fire resistant. That means it can actually protect your home and loved ones in the event of fire. This is important because the risk of fire can happen to anyone
According to The Nassau County Fire Commission, the number of fires and damage costs of fire have been going up because of increased wildfires, barbecue fires, and gas or propane-related fires, and how fast fires can spread. Fires in December 2020 alone, partially due to fires caused by holiday lighting, led to $7.3 million in damages. Suffolk County reports even more fire incidents due to its larger geographical area, increased periods of dry conditions, and wildfires in the pine barrens that can spread, leading to an average of 93,000 fires a year.
While we don’t yet have the ability to make a house completely fireproof, James Hardie shingles and siding will not ignite when exposed to flame or contribute fuel to a fire. James Hardie products have a Class A fire rating under ASTM E84 testing with a flame index of zero. They also qualify for 1-hour fire rated wall assemblies, which some building codes require.
That extra fire resistance can make a difference as Kate and Kent Freeman of Carrollton, Texas, learned the hard way. In a report on NJ.com, the couple and their three small children were unharmed in 2010 when a major fire next door spread. The site of the fire, a home under construction, was totally destroyed in minutes, whereas the Freeman’s home delayed the fire for 15 minutes because of its James Hardie siding. The roof eventually caught fire, which led to damage.
“It gave my husband time to get my young sons up and out of the house,” Kate Freeman said.
James Hardie’s fire resistance properties may even help you save money. Many property and casualty insurance companies offer a discount to homeowners with Hardie Siding. Ask your insurance representative if that’s an option.
For more information on exterior renovations or James Hardie shingles/siding, contact us for a free estimate.