Enviroshake Products Meet Wildfire Prepared Requirements

What Is the Wildfire Prepared Home™ Program?

Wildfire Prepared Home is a voluntary designation program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to help reduce a home's risk of ignition during a wildfire.

The program uses science-based mitigation requirements developed from IBHS research into how homes are damaged and destroyed during wildfires. Homes must meet requirements for the roof, building features and surrounding property before earning a Wildfire Prepared Home designation.

Wind-driven embers are a major focus of the program. According to IBHS, most homes that ignite during wildfires are ignited by embers, which can travel more than a mile ahead of a wildfire and collect on or around vulnerable parts of a structure.

Does Enviroshake Qualify for Wildfire Prepared Home™?

Yes. Enviroshake, Enviroshingle and enviroslate meet the Wildfire Prepared Home roofing requirements when installed as a Class A roofing assembly.

The current Wildfire Prepared Home Technical Standard requires a Class A roof covering tested in accordance with ASTM E108 or UL 790. Roofs must also be maintained free of vegetative debris as part of the program requirements.

Enviroshake products are available with a Class A fire-rated assembly, allowing homeowners to meet this important roofing requirement while maintaining the appearance of cedar shake, cedar shingle or natural slate.

A qualifying roof is one component of the designation. The entire property must meet the applicable Wildfire Prepared Home requirements to receive certification.

Where Is Wildfire Prepared Home™ Available?

Wildfire Prepared Home is currently available in 14 states:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Florida
• Idaho
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Utah
• Texas
• Washington
• Wyoming

IBHS continues to expand the program and associated wildfire mitigation resources as they become available.

What Are the Benefits of Wildfire Prepared Home™?

The program provides third-party verification that a home has completed science-based measures designed to reduce wildfire risk. It may also provide insurance and resale benefits.

IBHS identifies several potential benefits of earning a designation, including documented risk reduction, potential improvements in insurance eligibility, increased resale appeal and greater confidence in a home's wildfire mitigation measures.

Insurance discounts are not guaranteed and vary by state and insurer. However, IBHS states that many insurers recognize the Wildfire Prepared Home designation. IBHS member insurers can also verify whether a property has an active designation. Homeowners should contact their insurance provider directly to determine which benefits may apply.

How Fire Resistant Are Enviroshake Products?

Enviroshake products can be installed as part of a Class A fire-rated roofing assembly, the highest fire classification for roof coverings.

Class A assemblies are available across Enviroshake's composite shake, shingle and slate product lines. This allows homeowners in wildfire-prone areas to achieve the fire performance required by programs such as Wildfire Prepared Home while retaining the appearance of traditional cedar or slate.

Fire resistance is only one part of wildfire resilience. The Wildfire Prepared Home program also addresses vulnerabilities such as vents, gutters, decks, fences, combustible materials near the structure and defensible space around the home.

Is Enviroshake More Fire Resistant Than Cedar?

Yes. A Class A Enviroshake roofing assembly provides substantially greater fire resistance than untreated natural cedar roofing.

Natural cedar is combustible. While cedar can be treated with fire retardants or incorporated into specially designed assemblies to improve its fire rating, the Wildfire Prepared Home Technical Standard specifically notes potential service-life uncertainties associated with ignition-resistant treatments.

Enviroshake provides the appearance and texture associated with natural cedar while offering a Class A assembly designed for projects where fire resistance is a priority.

Roofing Designed for Today's Fire Challenges

Wildfire risk is influencing how homes are designed, renovated and insured across a growing number of U.S. states. Today's climate challenges demand roofing systems that meet strict fire-performance requirements and help reduce vulnerabilities before wildfire reaches a property.

Enviroshake, Enviroshingle and enviroslate meet the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home roofing requirements when installed as a Class A assembly, giving homeowners a durable roofing option built for demanding environments.

Learn more about the Wildfire Prepared Home program through the official Wildfire Prepared Home website, or contact Enviroshake to learn more about Class A roofing options for your next project.

Disclaimer:

Use of an Enviroshake product that meets Wildfire Prepared Home roofing requirements does not mean that a property qualifies for or has received a Wildfire Prepared Home designation. Wildfire Prepared Home is a systems-based program, and a property must meet all applicable program requirements and complete the IBHS designation process to earn a designation.

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