If you have been through a fire and are in the process of rebuilding there are many solid reasons to consider using ipe wood as siding decking and fencing.
Fireproof wood siding.
There are ways you can improve its resistance to fire including adding flame retardants to wood surfaces to slow the spread of the flames.
Fiber cement shingles and clapboards made from a mix of portland cement sand and wood usually carry a class a fire rating which means they can withstand 2 to 4 hours of high heat before your home s structure starts to fail.
90 of the planks are made of materials that won t burn giving fiber cement siding a class 1 a fire flame spread rating the highest classification available.
As we ve said before they don t call it ironwood for nothing.
This is a type of home siding that is comprised of cement sand and wood particles.
One stylish and affordable option to consider is fiber cement siding.
Alternatively vintagewood siding brings the warm look of hardwood outside creating eye catching visual contrast with the peace of mind that comes from having a cementitious ignition resistant exterior.
Fire resistant exterior siding.
California fire research laboratory has shown that when ignited compressed wood particle or fiber siding products and wood shingle siding will result in more rapid vertical flame spread up the wall and more rapid penetration.
While that may be the case for firewood wood siding is different.
Chemical flame retardant sprays help improve the fire resistance of this house siding material.
Most of these options come with a class a fire rating.
When it comes to fire resistant wood the king is ipe wood of course.
Flammable materials like wood are often made resistant to a fire by the use of flame retardants.
Steel siding not only offers protection against a fire it is also naturally resistant and does not require the use of fire resistant treatments.
Ibhs coatings and wildfire fact sheet 1mb pdf siding materials and coatings.
Note that most fiber cement sidings require a gypsum board underlayment to reach their maximum efficacy.
An alternative to vinyl siding fiber cement a mixture of cement sand and wood fibers manages to achieve very high fire resistance without sacrificing convenience and durability.
Even with more classic profiles fiber cement provides a unique and updated look.
However there can be concern over the chemical properties and potential off gassing of these products.
The secret to fiber cement s durability is also what makes it fire resistant.