Choosing the right siding for your home isn’t just about looks. Safety is another major consideration, so you can protect your home inside and out. In areas where wildfires or extreme heat are a concern, homeowners should (and may be required to) consider fire-resistant siding options. While no siding is entirely fireproof, some materials are more effective than others.
Understanding which fire-resistant options are available to protect your home and family should be a top priority when shopping for your home’s exterior, whether you’re building a new home or upgrading your current exterior. From traditional wood-look finishes to sleek, modern designs, fire-resistant siding now comes in options that don’t sacrifice curb appeal.
What Is Fire-Resistant Siding?
Fire-resistant siding is designed to help protect homes from fire damage by resisting ignition, slowing the spread of flames, and withstanding high temperatures longer than other siding materials. While no siding is completely fireproof, certain materials are far more effective than others at withstanding extreme heat and flame exposure.
What makes a house siding material fire-resistant comes down to its composition and how it reacts under fire conditions. Non-combustible materials like steel and fiber cement don’t ignite when exposed to flames. Other materials, like wood or vinyl, may melt or catch fire more easily, even when treated with fire-retardant chemicals.
States prone to wildfires, such as California, Colorado, or Texas, experience dry climates, strong winds, and flammable vegetation that can quickly escalate small sparks into destructive blazes. In these wildfire-prone areas, homeowners are encouraged — and in some cases required — to use ignition-resistant building materials on the home exterior, such as fire-resistant siding.
Building materials are tested and given fire ratings to help customers understand a product’s fire performance. Siding materials are classified using ASTM E84 (surface burning characteristics) or by the International Building Code (IBC), which groups materials into three fire rating classifications.
| Class | Description | Flame Spread Index |
| Class A (or Class 1) | Most fire-resistant and best for wildfire-prone areas | 0–25 |
| Class B (or Class 2) | Moderate fire-resistance | 26–75 |
| Class C (or Class 3) | Minimal fire-resistance | 76–200 |
Materials like steel and fiber cement siding earn a Class A rating, making them excellent choices for fire-prone areas. Wood and vinyl siding often fall into Class C, offering little protection.
What Is the Best Fire-Resistant Siding?
Steel siding and fiber cement siding stand out as two of the most effective choices for fire-prone areas. Both earn a Class A fire rating, but differ in performance, durability, and maintenance requirements.
Steel Siding
Featuring a Class A rating, steel siding is one of the most fire-resistant materials available. As a non-combustible metal, steel won’t easily ignite, melt, or warp when exposed to fire. This makes the material valuable in wildfire-prone zones.
Other advantages of steel siding include its durability and low maintenance. Unlike fiber cement, which can absorb moisture over time and may require repainting, steel siding resists warping, cracking, and water damage.
Many steel products, including TruLog’s steel siding, feature UV-resistant finishes. The material can even mimic the texture of wood for improved curb appeal, without compromising fire safety. The siding also performs well in extreme weather, offering resistance to high winds, hail, and impact.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is another strong contender for fire-resistant siding. The composite is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers to create a non-combustible material that earns a Class A fire rating. It offers a natural wood appearance, and many homeowners enjoy the material for its aesthetic appeal and design versatility.
Fiber cement siding can have more demanding maintenance requirements than steel. It’s a much heavier material than other home siding options, which makes installation more complex and expensive. It may require repainting and sealing over time to maintain its protective qualities, especially in areas with high moisture or fluctuating temperatures.
Which Siding Materials Are Not Fire-Resistant?
Unfortunately, some popular siding materials aren’t equipped to protect your home from fire. Knowing which materials are not fire-resistant can help homeowners, especially those living in fire-prone regions, make the safest decision for their home.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is a popular siding choice for homeowners because of its affordability and low maintenance. Similar to steel siding, vinyl siding can have a wood-like appearance. However, it performs poorly under high heat.
Made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), vinyl siding melts and deforms easily when exposed to high temperatures. While it doesn’t ignite as quickly as wood, vinyl can release toxic fumes and lose structural integrity rapidly in a fire.
Natural Wood Siding
Natural wood siding, including cedar shakes and clapboards, may have a classic, sought-after appearance, but it’s highly combustible. The material can actually act as fuel in a fire. Even when treated with fire retardants, wood cladding’s fire-resistance rating doesn’t significantly improve, according to the American Wood Council. The material may offer a charming, rustic curb appeal, but it’s unsuitable for homes in wildfire zones or areas with high fire risk.
Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood is made from wood fibers and resins, and while some products offer better fire resistance than natural wood, most still burn when exposed to flames. Engineered wood often receives a Class B or C rating and can ignite under the right conditions.
Answers to Other Questions About Fire-Resistant Siding
Choosing the right siding material is a critical part of protecting your home from wildfires or accidental fires. If you still have some questions about fire-resistant materials, here are some answers to common inquiries homeowners have.
How Does Fiber Cement Compare to Metal for Fire Resistance?
Both fiber cement and metal (steel or aluminum siding) are considered non-combustible and typically carry a Class A fire rating. However, metal siding outperforms fiber cement in overall durability and maintenance.
Fiber cement can degrade over time due to moisture and may require repainting or sealing. Steel resists weather, pests, and fire without extra upkeep, making it a longer-lasting fire-resistant solution for many homeowners.
What Is the Best Fire Prevention for Your Home?
The best fire prevention strategy combines non-combustible building materials, like steel siding and Class A roofing, with defensible space around your home. This means clearing away dry brush, dead trees, and flammable landscaping that’s within 100 feet of your home. Installing ember-resistant vents, using fire-rated doors and windows, and maintaining clean gutters also reduce risk.
Together, these measures dramatically improve your home’s chances of withstanding a wildfire and meeting local fire safety standards.
What Building Codes Require Fire-Resistant Siding?
Fire-resistant siding may be required in areas designated as Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones, where homes are built near forests or grasslands prone to wildfires. Pennsylvania, Montana, Washington, and Utah have statewide requirements based on the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC). In other states, there may be local jurisdictions that have adopted the IWUIC or created their own WUI code based on the IWUIC, such as Austin, Texas.
These building codes may mandate ignition-resistant siding, doors, and windows, a non-combustable roof, and maintaining defensible space.
Consult your local building departments to understand specific regulations in your area.
Steel Siding Provides the Best Fire Resistance for Homes
As a non-combustible material with a Class A fire rating, steel offers exceptional fire protection. Vinyl and wood can’t match the fire-resistance of steel, and while fiber cement offers the same Class A rating, steel surpasses fiber cement in durability.
Beyond its safety benefits, steel siding’s realistic woodgrain textures and rich color options deliver curb appeal without compromising on longevity.
Download TruLog’s steel siding catalog to explore beautiful and safe options for your home’s exterior.
