Every year, an estimated 358,000 fires happen in homes across the country. And while no one likes to imagine their house suffering such a tragedy, it’s wise to prepare yourself for emergencies so you can safeguard your family and protect your property. With the right choice in siding—fiber cement by James Hardie—you can significantly reduce the odds that a fire will spread and destroy your home.
Here’s how Hardie siding’s fire-resistant nature can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
A Quick Look at Different Exterior Materials
In a nutshell, fiber cement siding is a superior fire-resistant choice for numerous reasons. Here’s the simple version.
Beats Wood and Vinyl when Exposed to Fire
The two most common siding alternatives, wood and vinyl, are both more susceptible to fire than fiber cement.
More Affordable than Brick and Stone
While these options are hard to burn, they’re also pricier than fiber cement.
Protects against Moisture Better than Stucco
Stucco isn’t as easily set ablaze as wood or vinyl, but it attracts problems with moisture, leaks, mold, and mildew. Hardie siding doesn’t.
More Attractive than Metal
Aluminum siding may be close to fireproof, but it also tends to dent, corrode, and look dated. Hardie siding keeps its curb appeal for decades.
What Makes Hardie Siding So Fire-Resistant?
Noncombustible Material
The unique nature of fiber cement creates a product for your home that won’t quickly succumb to flames. Wood burns, and vinyl melts when exposed to high heat, but Hardie’s makeup of Portland cement, water, cellulose, and sand doesn’t easily catch fire.
Proven to Stand Up Well to High Heat
When tested for how it responds against flames and heat, fiber cement siding consistently earns its Class A fire rating. This classification means that among construction materials, Hardie siding will remain intact for several hours before beginning to break down, even when exposed to the high heat of a house fire.
Provides More Time to Escape
Because Hardie siding withstands a fire for a long time, it can give you and your loved ones a larger window in which to exit the house should an emergency occur. This precious added time can make the difference in surviving and avoiding injuries—and that’s well worth the investment.
Prevents Damage to Precious Possessions
With Hardie’s noncombustible nature at work on your behalf, it’s harder for a fire in one area of your home to spread to other areas. This not only protects the overall structure of your property, but also helps ensure that valuables don’t get damaged. It’s less likely that you’ll lose photos, documents, electronics, and other irreplaceable items.
Gives More Time for First Responders to Arrive
Flames and smoke can do a lot of damage—which is why the time it takes to put out the fire is so important to whether the house can be saved, or is a total loss. While no siding can totally prevent a fire, Hardie’s fiber cement makeup can stay intact for longer than other materials. This gives the fire department and other emergency vehicles more of a window in which to reach your house and spring into action.
Offers Potential Insurance Savings
An added bonus of Hardie’s Class A fire rating is how insurance companies see it. Many providers offer discounts to homeowners with fiber cement siding, because the risk of a claim due to fire is lowered. If you’re considering replacing your siding with Hardie products, give your insurance company a call. You may be pleasantly surprised by the discount you’ll be eligible to receive.
Promises Beauty as Well as Performance
Many homeowners expect that a fire-resistant product won’t look as attractive as other materials. But not so! Hardie siding isn’t just a fabulously durable option; it’s gorgeous too. You’ll love the styles, textures, hundreds of color options, and even its ability to beautifully mimic the appearance of natural wood. You’ll get the curb appeal you long for, without the high maintenance or the added fire risk.
Comes with Many Other Benefits Too
Hardie siding is America’s #1 choice for many good reasons beyond its fire resistance. Its impressive longevity, superior warranty, and trusted performance are peerless. Discover more of the benefits of investing in Hardie siding.
Trusted Fiber Cement Siding Replacement for Your Home
There’s no need to put your family at risk or worry about your home’s long-term ability to stand up to fire, weather, and wear. Make the decision to switch to gorgeous fiber cement siding, and you won’t regret the investment.
Ensure your home looks beautiful for years to come with a siding that keeps you safe and secure for decades. At John McCarter Construction, we’re dedicated to providing Ann Arbor and Detroit area homeowners with lasting, low-maintenance upgrades that have you loving your property all over again. Discover what James Hardie siding can do for your home.
