In the fight against wildfire, your walls and roof form the armor—but your windows and doors are the weak spots. These openings are where heat can shatter glass, embers can sneak in, and vulnerable framing can ignite from radiant exposure.
In Part 03 of Built to Endure, we explore how to protect these fragile components—without compromising beauty, light, or connection to the outdoors.
WHY OPENINGS ARE A KEY RISK
Fire particles do not need a lot of space to create a problem. A single glowing speck can find its way through a window screen, under a warped door, or into an attic vent—and set an entire home alight from the inside.
Key risk factors:
- Single-pane glass that shatters under heat
- Wood-framed doors without seals
- Gaps in sliders, garage doors, or thresholds
- Inadequate screening on windows and vents
FIRE RESISTIVE WINDOW STRATEGIES
1. Dual Pane Tempered Glass
- Why it matters: Tempered glass is 4–5x stronger than regular glass and more resistant to radiant heat.
- Code note: WUI code requires at least one pane to be tempered—but two is better.
- Bonus: Energy-efficient and acoustically superior.
Best for: Every window in a wildfire-prone home
2. Solid Metal • Aluminum Clad • Fiberglass Frmes
- Why it matters: Wood and vinyl frames can melt or ignite under heat
- Solid Metal - Stronger than wood or vinyl windows, providing greater protection against the impact of flying debris and embers during a wildfire
- Aluminum-clad wood offers a balance of resilience and warmth
- Fiberglass is non-combustible, stable, and resists warping
Best for: Homes seeking durability with modern or classic aesthetics
3. Ember Resistant Screens
- Material: Use stainless steel mesh with openings no larger than 1/8”
- Where: Install on all operable windows and vents
- Function: Stops embers from entering if a window cracks or opens slightly
Best for: All vulnerable openings, especially in bedrooms and attics
FIRE RESISTIVE WINDOW STRATEGIES
1. Solid Core Fire Rated Entry Doors
- What to look for: A solid wood, metal, or composite door rated for 20 minutes or more
- Vulnerabilities: Glass inserts must be dual-pane and tempered
- Detailing: Install with tight seals and non-combustible trim
Best for: Front, rear, and garage-to-house entries
2. Garage Doors
- Common issue: Most garage doors lack a fire rating and have large perimeter gaps
- Best practices:
- Use metal doors with minimal flammable components
- Add ember-resistant gaskets or brush seals
- Consider upgrading motors to automatic closure systems during emergencies
Best for: Homes with attached garages or storage areas
3. Sliding Glass Doors
- Treat them like windows: Dual-pane, tempered glass only
- Frame selection: Use metal or fiberglass to avoid ignition
- Extra tip: Add ember-resistant screens or exterior shutters where possible
Best for: Maximizing views while maintaining safety
EXCEEDING THE BUILDING CODE
For homeowners building in high-risk wildfire zones, meeting minimum code is just the start. The following strategies go further—offering enhanced protection through better materials, tighter detailing, and thoughtful design integration.
- High Performance multi-pane glazing Standard dual-pane tempered glass offers good protection—but triple-pane configurations with all panes tempered or laminated provide added resilience against heat and impact. For an extra layer of defense, consider glass assemblies that incorporate intumescent interlayers—clear films that expand and insulate when exposed to extreme temperatures.
- Reinforced Entry Protection: Step up your front-line defense by choosing fully metal-skinned or fiberglass-clad entry doors with a solid fire-rated core. Look for assemblies rated for 20 minutes or more, including any glass inserts.
- Additional Opening Protection: Layer in enhanced detailing to further seal and protect:
- Use intumescent fire seals or gaskets around door edges. These expand under heat to block smoke and flame
- Apply fire-retardant coatings to surrounding wood trims, siding, or architectural accents for added ignition resistance
- Where applicable, install noncombustible flashing and sloped sills around openings to shed debris and radiant heat
Next Up in the Series:
In Part 04 of our series, we focus on the transitional zone between your home and the land—where smart material choices, defensible space, and proper detailing can make all the difference.
