James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding is Fire Resistant
August marks the beginning of fire season in Colorado. As a homeowner you hope to never have to worry about a fire. With luck, you will live your life without ever being in a house fire. However, should you ever be in that situation, it would be good to know that your siding is fire resistant.
Fires take many different forms and can be caused by a variety of factors. They may be caused inside the house or there might be external reasons. If the fire is outside of your home, your siding can act as a barrier for the flames.
Fire damage can occur if your home is next door to a house fire. Or it could be caused by something as little as a grill that emits high flames because something in it catches on fire. Even that can damage your siding.
James Hardie fiber cement siding is fire resistant, which is a huge advantage compared to wood or vinyl siding. Of course, wood siding is rather vulnerable to fire due to its nature and building material. While vinyl siding is technically non-flammable, it does warp and melt when close to flames. It does not provide a good barrier for flames.
The damage to siding that results from a fire does not look pretty and will need costly repairs. Siding that can burn or melt poses a risk to your home that you can easily avoid by picking different siding.
Fiber cement siding is a much better choice if you are worried about fire safety or fire damage to your home. Especially if you live in a forested area – like the Colorado mountains or even other parts of Colorado, a state where the climate is very dry and wild fires are an all too often occurrence – it might make sense to pick the James Hardie products. It will make your home safer and give you peace of mind.
What Make Fiber Cement Fire Resistant?
James Hardie fiber cement is fire resistant due to the way it is made, and the materials used. It is made from raw materials that include cement, water, cellulose fibers from plant materials and silica. Silica is found in beach sand, stone and concrete and is naturally fire resistant.
The materials get mixed, dyed, and then pressed into boards. These boards come in many different styles and textures and can be designed to look like other materials, including wood. This makes fiber cement very versatile and durable at the same time.
Due to the materials used, the fiber cement siding is non-combustible; it will not burn and thus does not add fuel to a fire. It also does not warp or melt and is much more resistant and durable. The fact that it does not catch fire is a huge advantage.
One thing to keep in mind is that while the fiber cement siding itself will not add fuel to a fire, the heat will transfer through it. That means the siding itself does not catch fire and slows the spread of fire, but it does not prevent heat from passing through.
You can add an interior wallboard that resists burning for one hour if you want to take extra precautionary measures. This can be a part of a one-hour fire-rated assembly using James Hardie fiber cement siding, along with other components.
This assembly might buy you and the firefighters valuable time in case of a fire. It might allow you more time to safely leave your home and give the firefighters a better chance at containing the fire. That is why many fire departments nationwide recommend fiber cement siding. It is your home’s first line of defense against fire.
Installing fiber cement siding might qualify you for getting an insurance discount. Because the siding is non-combustible many home insurance companies offer discounts. Just check with your insurance company to find out if they do and you could save some extra money on top of making your home safer.
Colorado Siding Repair is Here to Help
We are a James Hardie Elite Preferred company, which is a highly coveted distinction. Our team has many years of experience installing fiber cement siding. You can trust us to get the job done right because we follow all the rigorous demands that come with this title.
Besides being fire resistant, James Hardie has a lot of other great qualities that make it a top-of-the line product. You have a big variety of beautiful colors and styles to choose from, when you pick this product. Once installed, it looks great and adds to your home’s value and curb appeal.
Additionally, it is resistant to pests, mold, and weather. Fiber cement siding also needs very little maintenance as it just needs to be cleaned with a power washer once a year or so. Moreover, James Hardie cement siding is amazingly durable and comes with a 30-year product warranty.
When you choose James Hardie fiber cement, you choose a premium product that will last many years. We are sure you will love it and how your home will look with it installed. We are here to help you pick the siding that is right for you and your home.
If you have any questions about James Hardie fiber cement siding or any other siding do not hesitate to contact us. Colorado Siding Repair is here to help, and we cannot wait to hear from you. So, call us today!
