Material to the issue

Photo Credit: SK Staff

Materials to the issue

by Abeer Sweis
September 9, 2022

Our design team has proven that many materials that are non-combustible can be warm, inviting and still feel like home. We have made beautiful use of stucco, tempered glass, aluminum, steel, fire rated wood and native landscapes to create environments that are both fire-resistant and aesthetically stunning. The exterior materials of a building can be crucial to its survival. These are some suggestions to help you achieve fire resistance. Walls:

• Concrete; can be exposed and can take on several finished appearances, or be covered with stucco, or lime-based plasters.
• Concrete block; can be left exposed and come in several textures and finishes or can covered similarly to concrete above.
• Wood and steel framed walls can be covered with fire resistant plywood or DensGlass® Sheathing then a final more aesthetic covering.
• Finishes can include fire rated wood such as Ipe, Black Locust or treated woods such as Abodo by Resawn. Stucco and lime Plaster are both class A fire rated and come in many standard and custom colors. Metal panels are also being used as cladding.

Roofs: Class A fire resistant roofs are a standard code requirement these days. However, we feel that that you can go above and beyond and install a metal standing seem roof for ultimate protection. Doors and Windows: Aluminum, steel and clad doors and windows are optimal. Use tempered glass for better resistance than standard glass. Do not forget about the underside of your eave overhangs, these should be enclosed with the finishes mentioned above. Fascia boards can be made out of aluminum instead of wood. Exposed wood structure or rafter tails should be made out of heavy timber. The list above is not intended to be all the possibilities but more of what we have used and had a good experience with on past projects. If you have any questions or other suggestions, please send in comments below.