Ignition-Resistant Re-Side
New James Hardie® fiber-cement siding, installed as a wildfire hardening system. WUI-listed vents, noncombustible base-of-wall, sealed roof-to-wall details, and a documentation package for your insurer, on every job.
Why siding is the wildfire problem
Wood siding is the largest continuous combustible surface on the house. Embers don't need flame contact. They lodge at the base of the wall, in vents, and at roof-to-wall corners, and the siding carries the fire.
Replacing it with fiber cement removes the fuel. But new siding alone leaves the entry points open. This system closes them.
Meets Boulder County ignition-resistant construction requirements
The completed scope meets Boulder County's ignition-resistant construction requirements for the wildland-urban interface. Fire Ready Exteriors pulls and manages the building permit, plan review, and inspections. Read the county's requirements in Building Publication B-37: Ignition Resistant Construction.
What's included on every job
None of this is an upgrade. The wildfire details are the system.
Noncombustible cladding
James Hardie fiber cement (ASTM E136 noncombustible), panel-and-batten or lap, ColorPlus® factory finish or primed-and-painted.
Removes the fuel at the wall.
New weather barrier and flashing
House wrap, flashing tape at every opening, Z-flashing at panel joints, corrosion-resistant fasteners.
Keeps water out for the life of the siding.
WUI-listed ember-resistant vents
1/8" stainless mesh with intumescent baffle at soffit and gable vents.
Standard aluminum vents let embers into the attic. These are the listed replacement.
Noncombustible base-of-wall
Fiber-cement trim at grade, decks, and hardscape.
The most common ignition point on a sided wall.
Kickout and roof-to-wall flashing
Metal kickout flashing where the eave meets the wall, plus roof-to-wall flashing behind the siding.
Diverts runoff into the gutter and closes the corner where embers and debris collect.
Fiber-cement soffit and fascia
James Hardie soffit panels and fascia trim, replacing wood or vinyl.
Encloses eaves so embers can't reach the attic framing.
Seamless gutters with metal guards
New seamless gutters with metal gutter guards at every run.
Keeps needles and leaves out of the gutter, where debris against the roof edge ignites.
Mitigation Documentation Package
Photo record by elevation, product and listing sheet, signed compliance letter.
Evidence for your insurer and for Wildfire Partners. Details below.
Proof you can hand to your insurance agent.
When the work is done you get a package documenting exactly what was installed:
- Before-and-after photos by elevation
- A product and listing sheet for every fire-relevant component
- A signed letter stating the scope meets Boulder County ignition-resistant construction requirements
Also formatted to support Wildfire Partners certification documentation.
Insurers must consider property-level wildfire mitigation and let you appeal your wildfire risk score with evidence. This package is the evidence.
Colorado Division of Insurance: wildfire resiliency and insurance
HB25-1182 bill text
Finish options
Same system either way. The difference is where the paint goes on.
James Hardie ColorPlus®
Factory-baked finish, 15-year finish warranty from James Hardie, color-matched caulk and touch-up after install.
No field painting.
2–4 week factory lead time.
Primed and painted
Same Hardie system, painted on site with two finish coats.
Lower cost.
Finish warranted by the painting contractor.
Financing available. Ask about terms during your assessment.
Warranty
How it works
- Free assessment
- Aerial measurement and proposal within 5 business days
- Sign and select colors, with samples on site
- Factory order and permit
- Test opening and demolition
- Install
- Finish and walkthrough
- Documentation Package delivered
Who this is for
- Homeowners in Boulder County and the adjacent WUI with wood or composite siding.
- Homeowners whose Wildfire Partners or City of Boulder assessment flagged siding, vents, or base-of-wall.
- Homeowners facing insurance nonrenewal or a high wildfire risk score.
Questions we get
Does fiber cement burn?
No. James Hardie fiber cement is recognized as noncombustible under ASTM E136. It does not ignite from ember contact or radiant heat the way wood or vinyl does. Panels, trim, soffit, and fascia are all fiber cement, so no combustible cladding is left on the wall.
Will this lower my insurance?
It gives you a documented case. Under Colorado HB25-1182, insurers must consider property-level wildfire mitigation and let you appeal your wildfire risk score with evidence. The Mitigation Documentation Package is built for that appeal. Whether a carrier applies a discount, and how much, is the carrier's decision.
Do you handle the permit?
Yes. Fire Ready Exteriors is a licensed Boulder County general contractor. We pull the building permit, submit for plan review, and schedule the inspections.
How long does it take?
You get a proposal within 5 business days of the assessment. ColorPlus orders carry a 2 to 4 week factory lead time. Install duration depends on the size and condition of the house, and you get a schedule at signing.
What about my deck?
The re-side includes noncombustible trim where the wall meets the deck. The deck itself is a separate scope: under-deck screening is part of Ember Control, and fire-rated deck work is its own project. Both can be assessed in the same visit.
NEXT STEP
Book a Free Assessment
We walk the house, measure it from the air, and send a proposal within 5 business days.
Phone: (720) 340-1329
Email: info@firereadyexteriors.com