--- title: "Hardening Decks & Secondary Structures with Wildfires in Mind" slug: "decks-secondary-structures" description: "Decks, patios, sheds, and other secondary structures are particularly vulnerable to wildfires. Made from combustible materials, they can act as fuel for approaching flames and increase the risk of fire spreading to your home. By making strategic upgrades and maintenance decisions, you can harden these structures against wildfires, helping to keep your property and home safer. This article provides practical tips on reinforcing decks and secondary structures, minimizing ignition risks, and implementing fire-resistant practices." updated: 2024-10-16T04:25:47Z published: 2024-10-16T04:25:47Z canonical: "rallybacks.loti.com/decks-secondary-structures" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rallybacks.loti.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Decks & Secondary Structures ## **Hardening Decks &**Secondary Structures**with Wildfires in Mind** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/e3e6d4bd-783c-404a-ae48-078db5956f3f/Images/Documentation/Loti - Article - Hardening Decking.webp) ### Decks, patios, sheds, and other secondary structures are particularly vulnerable to wildfires. Made from combustible materials, they can act as fuel for approaching flames and increase the risk of fire spreading to your home. By making strategic upgrades and maintenance decisions, you can harden these structures against wildfires, helping to keep your property and home safer. This article provides practical tips on reinforcing decks and secondary structures, minimizing ignition risks, and implementing fire-resistant practices. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/e3e6d4bd-783c-404a-ae48-078db5956f3f/Images/Documentation/Loti - Stacked Paver Stones.webp) ### **Choosing Fire-Resistant Deck Materials** Many decks are built from wood, which is highly combustible and prone to ignition from embers. Upgrading to fire-resistant materials can significantly reduce the risk of your deck catching fire and spreading flames to your home. - **Composite**Decking: Look for fire-resistant composite decking materials that contain a mix of plastic and wood fibers. Some composite decking products are specifically designed to be fire-resistant and are less likely to ignite compared to traditional wood. Be sure to verify the Fire Rating of any composite material you choose. - **Metal Decking**: Metal decking, such as aluminum or steel, is non-combustible and provides excellent fire resistance. Metal decking can be paired with other fire-resistant materials to create a safe, durable deck structure. - **Fire-Treated Wood**: If you prefer the look of wood, consider using fire-treated wood. This wood is chemically treated to resist ignition and has a higher tolerance to heat and flames than untreated lumber. Keep in mind that fire-treated wood may require periodic reapplication of fire retardants to maintain its resistance. - **Paving Stones and**Concrete: For maximum fire resistance, consider building a deck from non-combustible materials like concrete or paving stones. These materials are not only durable and fire-resistant but also provide an attractive alternative to traditional wood decking. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/e3e6d4bd-783c-404a-ae48-078db5956f3f/Images/Documentation/Loti - Deck Skirting.webp) ### **Deck Design Strategies for Fire Resistance** Beyond material choice, certain design strategies can help minimize your deck’s vulnerability to wildfires. - **Enclose the Underside**: The area beneath a deck is often exposed to dry leaves, pine needles, and other debris that can easily catch fire. Enclose this space with non-combustible materials like fiber cement, metal mesh, or Masonry to prevent debris accumulation and ember intrusion. - **Install Skirting**: Skirting is a solid barrier that surrounds the perimeter of your deck. By using fire-resistant skirting materials like metal or cement board, you create an additional barrier that blocks embers from reaching the underside of the deck. - **Limit Gaps Between Deck Boards**: If you’re constructing a new deck, install the boards with minimal spacing between them to reduce gaps where embers could lodge. If you’re retrofitting an existing deck, consider adding a fire-resistant overlay or deck board spacers to close the gaps. - **Install Ember-Resistant Vents**: If venting is necessary for airflow beneath the deck, use ember-resistant vents with a fine metal mesh. This will allow Ventilation while preventing embers from entering and igniting materials stored below the deck. ### **Maintaining a Fire-Resistant Deck** Regular maintenance is essential for keeping your deck fire-resistant. Routine upkeep reduces the risk of ignition and extends the lifespan of your deck materials. - **Clean Regularly**: Sweep away leaves, pine needles, and other debris from your deck’s surface and underneath. Accumulated debris can act as Kindling and ignite from embers, especially during dry and windy weather. - **Inspect for Damage**: Check for any cracks or damage in the decking material. Damaged areas may be more prone to catching fire, so replace any compromised boards or sections promptly. - **Reapply Fire-Retardant Treatments**: If your deck materials are treated with fire-retardant coatings, reapply them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. This will help maintain their effectiveness over time and enhance the deck’s resistance to flames. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/e3e6d4bd-783c-404a-ae48-078db5956f3f/Images/Documentation/Loti - Metal Shed.webp) ### **Protecting Sheds, Pergolas, and Other Secondary Structures** Secondary structures such as sheds, pergolas, and playhouses are often built with wood or other combustible materials. Reinforcing these structures helps prevent them from contributing to fire spread. - **Choose Fire-Resistant Materials**: When constructing sheds, pergolas, or other secondary structures, consider using fire-resistant materials like metal, stone, or concrete. If wood is necessary, use fire-treated lumber or add a fire-retardant coating. - **Install**Metal Roofing: Metal roofing is non-combustible and can help protect secondary structures from embers and radiant heat. Install metal roofing on sheds and other structures to improve their fire resistance and reduce the chance of ignition. - **Add Fire-Resistant**Siding: Fiber cement or Stucco siding is a great choice for secondary structures, as it’s non-combustible and durable. Fire-resistant siding helps shield these structures from heat and flames, providing additional protection for your property. - **Create a Defensible Space**: Clear a defensible space around secondary structures by removing dry grass, leaves, and any other Flammable material within at least 5 feet of the building. This area acts as a buffer zone, helping to prevent flames from reaching the structure. ### **Safe Storage and Fire-Resistant Landscaping** The area around your deck and secondary structures can also influence their susceptibility to fire. Creating a fire-resistant landscape and using safe storage practices are key components of a comprehensive wildfire defense strategy. - **Store Combustible Items Safely**: Store items like firewood, propane tanks, and fuel containers away from decks, sheds, and other structures. These materials should be kept at least 30 feet from your home or secondary structures to reduce fire hazards. - **Use Non-Combustible Ground Cover**: Instead of using wood Mulch around decks and sheds, opt for Gravel, rocks, or Pavers. Non-combustible ground cover helps reduce the chance of fire spreading to the structures and keeps embers from finding fuel near them. - **Plant Fire-Resistant Vegetation**: Select fire-resistant plants for the area around your deck and secondary structures. Avoid plants with resinous or oily foliage, which can ignite easily. Maintain a defensible space by keeping plants well-spaced, trimmed, and free of dead material. ### **Additional Resources** For more information on fire-resistant building materials and landscaping practices for decks and secondary structures, consult the following resources: - **Firewise USA Program**: Firewise USA provides resources for homeowners in wildfire-prone areas, including guidelines on fire-resistant building materials and defensible space. Visit the [Firewise USA Program](https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/wildfire/firewise-usa) for more details on wildfire preparedness. - **California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)**: CAL FIRE offers a variety of tips and recommendations for hardening homes and outbuildings against wildfires. Visit [Ready for Wildfire](https://www.readyforwildfire.org/) for information on creating defensible space and wildfire safety. - **CalFire**: The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has live maps to track wildfires and advice on prevention measures. Highly recommended resource: [https://www.fire.ca.gov/](https://www.fire.ca.gov/) ### **Wrap-Up** By reinforcing your decks and secondary structures with fire-resistant materials, maintaining clear areas around them, and implementing safe storage practices, you can greatly reduce the risk of wildfire damage. These steps help prevent flames from spreading to your home and improve the resilience of your property. Taking the time to prepare and maintain these structures not only increases their longevity but also contributes to the overall safety of your home and family. With the right materials, design strategies, and maintenance, your decks and secondary structures can withstand the challenges of wildfire season, protecting your home and providing peace of mind. Also sometimes referred to as Coverage B in your policy. This can also be a second section in your dwelling coverage - depends on your insurance issuer. That said, the concept is the same and this bucket of coverage includes everything permanently attached to your property but not your primary home itself. This includes detached garages, sheds, guest houses, fences and driveways. This does not cover the personal property in those buildings (those are in Bucket C) The surface of a deck, often made of wood. A measure of a siding product's ability to resist ignition and spread of fire. This rating may impact your insurance premiums so check with your carrier or broker accordingly. A building material made from a mixture of broken stone or gravel, sand, cement, and water, which can be spread or poured into molds and forms a stone-like mass on hardening. Construction using bricks, stones, or concrete blocks. The process of exchanging or replacing air within any space to provide high indoor air quality. Small pieces of wood or other materials that catch fire easily, used to start a fire. Known for its longevity, durability, and resistance to extreme weather conditions. Metal roofs can be made from steel, aluminum, copper, or zinc alloys, and they come in sheets or tiles. They reflect solar radiant heat, which can reduce cooling costs in hot climates. Material applied to the exterior of a building to protect it from the elements and enhance its appearance. A durable, weather-resistant plaster used for coating exterior surfaces of buildings, typically made from cement, sand, and lime. Materials that can easily catch fire and burn. A layer of material, such as wood chips or straw, spread over soil to retain moisture and reduce weeds. Small stones used for paths, driveways, and as a base material for paving. Manufactured stones or bricks used for creating walkways, patios, and driveways.