Embers, not flames, burn most houses.
In most wildfires that reach neighborhoods, houses ignite from embers landing in vents, gutters, decks and mulch, often well ahead of the fire itself. Hardening a house is mostly about closing those doors.
What we build in.
- 01
The roof
Class A rated, with metal gutters and a guard to keep needles out.
- 02
Vents
Ember-resistant vents with fine mesh, so embers can’t ride the airflow into the attic.
- 03
Eaves and siding
Enclosed soffits; fiber cement, stucco or metal siding, at least near the ground.
- 04
Windows
Dual-pane with tempered glass, which holds up far better to radiant heat.
- 05
Decks
Non-combustible or ignition-resistant decking, with nothing stored underneath.
- 06
The first five feet
Gravel, stone or bare ground right around the house. No bark mulch, no junipers against the siding.
Oregon’s hazard map
Oregon’s statewide wildfire hazard map rates properties low, moderate or high. Properties in the high category that are also in the wildland-urban interface face defensible space rules and home-hardening codes for new construction and significant remodels. The map has been revised and debated; check your lot’s current status, and expect insurers to ask about the same features either way.
Build it ready for August.
The custom builder’s site, built in seven days.
Sixteen pages: a wildfire-zone diagram, honest cost per square foot, a timber-frame page, and the Oregon CCB number on every page because the state requires it.