No home can be made completely fireproof, and there is no single solution that is right for every property. Building requirements can vary by location, project type, fire-risk classification, and local jurisdiction. The following ideas are general suggestions and best practices that we’ve learned from our many years of working with materials and builders. As always, be sure to to discuss with your contractor, designer, local building department, and material supplier how to best approach your unique build.
Before making final decisions, always confirm the current requirements for your specific property and permit.
Start by Understanding the Rules for Your Property
Colorado’s building regulations are primarily adopted and enforced at the local level. In addition, the state has adopted the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code, which establishes minimum standards for qualifying construction and development in designated Wildland-Urban Interface areas.
Whether the state wildfire code applies to a particular project can depend on the property’s location, its fire-intensity classification, the type of work being completed, and how the local jurisdiction has adopted and implemented the code. You can begin by reviewing the state’s Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code map, but the local building department should always make the final determination.
Requirements can also differ between an unincorporated county and a city or town located within that county. A property in the City of Alamosa, for example, may be governed by different rules than one in unincorporated Alamosa County.
Make the Roof a Top Priority
The roof is one of the largest and most exposed surfaces on a home. Windblown embers can land on the roof, collect along roof edges, enter openings, or ignite leaves and needles that have accumulated in gutters.
The Colorado State Forest Service recommends a roof with a Class A fire rating for homes in or near forests and grasslands. Possible options may include:
- Class A-rated asphalt shingle roof assemblies
- Properly rated metal roofing assemblies
- Other tested and approved Class A roof systems
- Metal flashing at vulnerable intersections and roof edges
- Noncombustible gutters and downspouts
Alamosa Building Supply and La Jara Trading Post stock shingles, metal roofing, flashing, underlayment, fasteners, and other roofing materials. Because a fire rating may apply to the complete roof assembly—not merely its visible surface—ask our team and your building official to help confirm that the selected products work together and meet your project’s specifications.
Good maintenance remains important even with a Class A roof. Roofs and gutters should be regularly cleared of pine needles, leaves, and other combustible debris.
Pay Close Attention to Vents, Eaves, and Gaps
Embers can be small enough to enter ordinary openings around a home. Once inside an attic, crawlspace, wall cavity, or area beneath a deck, they can ignite combustible materials that may not be visible from the outside.
Depending on local requirements and the design of the home, fire-resistant construction may include:
- Approved ember-resistant vents
- Corrosion-resistant metal screening where permitted
- Enclosed eaves or soffits
- Properly sealed gaps at roof and wall intersections
- Metal flashing around vulnerable joints
- Enclosed areas beneath elevated porches or decks
The Colorado State Forest Service’s Home Ignition Zone checklist recommends screening attic, roof, eave, and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh and enclosing or screening areas beneath decks and stilt foundations. However, screening requirements can vary, and mesh should never be installed in a way that interferes with required ventilation or conflicts with an approved vent system.
These details may seem small, but they can make a significant difference when embers are being carried ahead of a wildfire.
Compare Fire-Resistant Exterior Wall Options
The siding and wall assembly help protect the structure from flames, embers, and radiant heat. Some exterior materials to discuss with your contractor and building department include:
- Fiber cement siding
- Stucco over an approved wall assembly
- Metal siding
- Masonry or stone
- Other tested ignition-resistant wall systems
Alamosa Building Supply and La Jara Trading Post carry cement and stucco products and can help customers explore siding, sheathing, trim, flashing, weather barriers, insulation, and the hardware needed to create a complete exterior assembly.
For new construction, Fox Blocks insulated concrete forms may also be worth considering. Fox Blocks use an insulated form surrounding a concrete core, combining structure and insulation in one system. Fire performance still depends on the complete approved assembly, including interior and exterior finishes, so product documentation and local approval should be reviewed before specifying it for a project.
Even when the primary siding material performs well in fire conditions, vulnerable areas can remain around trim, corners, wall-to-roof intersections, vents, penetrations, and the bottom edge of the wall. Installation details matter as much as the main product.
Choose Windows and Exterior Doors Carefully
Wildfire heat can cause ordinary glass to break, potentially allowing flames and embers to enter the home. The Colorado State Forest Service recommends tempered glass, with two or more panes preferred.
Options to discuss may include:
- Dual- or multi-pane tempered glass
- Insulated glass units
- Metal-clad or fiberglass window frames
- Exterior doors with tested fire-performance characteristics
- Proper flashing and sealing around openings
Alamosa Building Supply carries Milgard Windows & Doors, with a range of frame, glass, and configuration options. Marvin Windows & Doors, known for their creative solutions to unique design challenges, are available at La Jara Trading Post, Not every window or door automatically meets every wildfire-related requirement, so our team can help you identify available options based on the specifications supplied by your contractor, architect, or building official.
Think About Decks, Porches, and Fences as Part of the Home
Decks can collect embers between boards, along walls, and in combustible material stored underneath. A wood fence connected directly to the house can also provide a path for fire to reach the structure.
Possible risk-reduction measures include:
- Choosing decking with documented fire-performance characteristics
- Considering noncombustible materials in the areas closest to the house
- Enclosing or appropriately screening the underside of raised decks
- Keeping the space beneath decks free of firewood, furniture, leaves, and other combustible materials
- Using noncombustible gates or fence sections near the home
- Adding metal flashing where a deck meets an exterior wall
Alamosa Building Supply and La Jara Trading Post carry composite decking, treated lumber, concrete products, hardware, fasteners, and fencing materials. Composite products differ significantly in composition and fire performance, so do not assume that every composite board is ignition-resistant or approved for a particular application. Ask for the manufacturer’s technical information and verify that it satisfies the requirements for your project.
Create a Noncombustible Area Around the Foundation
A strong exterior assembly can still be vulnerable if dry grass, bark mulch, leaves, or stored materials are touching the house.
The Colorado State Forest Service recommends removing pine needles, leaves, and other flammable debris within five feet of the home and maintaining vertical clearance between the ground and combustible siding. Depending on local requirements and the property’s design, homeowners may consider using gravel, concrete, pavers, or other noncombustible surfaces immediately around the foundation.
Also pay attention to:
- Exterior stairs and landings
- Window wells
- Crawlspace openings
- Propane tanks and gas meters
- Firewood storage
- Outdoor furniture and cushions
- Sheds and accessory structures near the house
The state’s Live Wildfire Ready guidance recommends keeping firewood at least 30 feet from the home when possible and clearing brush and plants within 10 feet of propane tanks and gas meters.
Build Defensible Space Into the Site Plan
Fire-resistant construction works best when it is combined with defensible space. The goal is not necessarily to remove every plant or tree. It is to manage vegetation so fire has fewer opportunities to move continuously toward the home.
Depending on the property, this may include:
- Keeping grass and weeds short around structures
- Removing dead vegetation and fallen branches
- Pruning limbs near roofs and chimneys
- Spacing trees and shrubs to interrupt continuous fuels
- Separating plantings with driveways, walkways, gravel, or other hardscape
- Maintaining access for emergency vehicles
- Making the property address clearly visible from the road
Slope, wind exposure, vegetation type, surrounding properties, and access routes can all affect an appropriate defensible-space plan. The Colorado State Forest Service offers additional guidance, and a local fire department or qualified wildfire-mitigation professional can provide recommendations for an individual property.
Remodel in Stages if a Full Exterior Upgrade Is Not Possible
Fire-resistance improvements do not always have to happen at once. A remodel or maintenance project can be an opportunity to address vulnerable areas over time.
Possible priorities include:
- Replacing an aging roof with a Class A-rated assembly.
- Upgrading vents and enclosing exposed eaves.
- Removing combustible debris and materials next to the foundation.
- Repairing gaps, damaged siding, and deteriorated flashing.
- Upgrading windows when rooms are remodeled.
- Improving the area beneath decks and porches.
- Replacing combustible fencing where it connects to the home.
- Creating and maintaining defensible space.
The best order will depend on the home, budget, current condition, and local requirements.
Work With a Local Supplier Who Understands the Area
Product labels and online descriptions do not always tell the whole story. A product may perform well in one assembly but not satisfy the requirements of another. Fire ratings can depend on the underlayment, sheathing, fasteners, spacing, flashing, coatings, and installation method—not simply the brand name on the package.
That is where a knowledgeable local supplier can make a real difference.
Alamosa Building Supply and La Jara Trading Post have helped with thousands of projects throughout the San Luis Valley and surrounding mountain communities. Our team understands that local builds can involve wildfire requirements, high elevation, snow loads, strong winds, rural delivery challenges, and limited access to replacement materials.
We can help you:
- Compare available product options
- Review material lists and project specifications
- Locate manufacturer documentation
- Coordinate special-order products
- Prepare estimates and takeoffs
- Deliver materials to rural jobsites
- Respond quickly when plans or quantities change
Your contractor and local building official are responsible for determining what is approved for the project, but our experienced team can help you understand what to order and keep the right materials moving to the jobsite.
Local Code and Permit Resources
Codes, maps, ordinances, and adopted standards can change. Use these links as starting points, then contact the appropriate jurisdiction before ordering materials or beginning construction:
- State of Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code Map
- Colorado International Code Council resources
- Alamosa County Building Department
- Costilla County Planning and Zoning
- Conejos County Land Use Portal
- Rio Grande County
- Saguache County
- Mineral County Building Permit Information
If the property is located inside an incorporated town or city, check with that municipality as well. Municipal requirements may differ from county requirements.
Start the Conversation Early
The best time to think about fire resistance is before plans are finalized and materials are ordered. Bring your building plans, product specifications, site information, and any requirements provided by your local building department to Alamosa Building Supply or La Jara Trading Post.
We will help you explore available materials, compare options, and figure out what you need for a stronger, more fire-resistant home—while always keeping your project’s approved plans and local code requirements at the center of the process.
This article provides general educational information and suggested best practices. It is not a substitute for approved construction plans, manufacturer instructions, professional design advice, or a determination from the authority having jurisdiction. Product availability and fire-performance characteristics vary. Always confirm current codes and approved materials with your local building department before beginning work.
