Standing strong in the west: Complete Exterior™ by James Hardie protects the Panorama Idea Home
Learn how James Hardie's fiber cement siding contributes to fire resistant homes, providing peace of mind amidst climate challenges.
Every day, the James Hardie team puts passion and precision into providing products to homeowners, builders, and designers to help adapt to the challenges presented by a changing climate. Many products in and around your home have an impact, and we know that it’s possible for all homes to be future ready.
When ProBuilder joined forces with Thrive Home Builders to construct the beautiful 6,600 square-foot Panorama Idea Home (Panorama) in Breckenridge, Colorado, they needed to select the best ways to protect the home’s exterior against constant threat of fires in the dense forest areas of the Western U.S. Noncombustible siding is one factor in helping to harden your home against fire, and for Panorama house, they chose to protect every corner of their project with the Complete Exterior™ by James Hardie featuring Hardie® siding, trim, and soffit.
Gene Myers, founder and chief sustainability officer of Thrive Home Builders, told ProBuilder: “When I first started building homes in 1992, we were an early adopter of Hardie® siding. I'm a real believer in the product.”
With the Complete Exterior™ by James Hardie, the Panorama house is better prepared for a fire event. Importantly, the noncombustible siding will not burn and is recognized by fire departments.*
As climate change leads to warmer and drier conditions, wildfire seasons are becoming longer and wildfires are becoming more extreme, according to research from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. When considering materials for the Panorama Idea Home – a home designed to model resiliency in its mountain climate – fire resistance was paramount.
The Marshall Fire
Myers cites the 2021 Marshall Fire in Boulder County that destroyed 1,084 homes and caused more than $500 million in damage as an influence on the choice of Hardie® siding, trim, and soffit for the Panorama Idea Home.
“That’s a climate event,” Myers told ProBuilder. “The Marshall fire is … the motivation for this Panorama House project. We had 30 houses in the Marshall Fire, and we didn't lose a single one. I attribute it to a great extent to the Hardie® fiber cement siding products.”
Some siding materials are particularly vulnerable to fire. For example, wood siding fuels a fire, and vinyl siding melts when exposed to a flame, releasing toxic gasses and exposing other wood materials to flame. According to the Building America Solution Center, fiber cement siding is rated high for fire resistance.
While no house can be completely fireproof, noncombustible Hardie® fiber cement siding was a contributing factor in helping homes remain standing after wildfires turned neighboring homes to ash. Hardie® siding, trim, and soffit will not ignite when exposed to a flame, nor will it contribute fuel to a fire.
Hardie® siding, trim, and soffit can also withstand other weather events and are engineered to resist damage from moisture and rot, whether your home is hit with rain or snow. They also offer little appeal to pests and won’t be eaten by termites, unlike wood siding, which is susceptible to damage from critters.
“I feel peace of mind knowing that whatever nature may have in store, Hardie® products are helping to protect the Panorama House,” said Myers.
Three Homes Built to Sustain
In 2024, James Hardie is working with leading builders who are constructing three resilient homes for the future, including the Panorama Idea Home. While each of these homes is in the United States, they are in three diverse geographies and climates - the mountain range, the Midwest, and the mid-Atlantic. Each project is unique, but what they have in common is the incorporation of durable and resilient Hardie® products.
Interested in reading more about Hardie® products and fire resistance? Check out the fire demonstration video showcasing the noncombustible nature of fiber cement compared to other materials. To learn more about protecting your home from natural hazards, visit ibhs.org, fire.ca.gov/prepare, CalFire, or download the “Designing for Natural Hazards Series” publication from huduser.gov."
If you’re ready to start your re-side journey with a professional, Request a Siding Quote so we can connect you with skilled local contractors. The James Hardie Contractor Alliance™ Program connects homeowners with contractors nationwide whom you can trust are both licensed and insured.
*Hardie® siding complies with ASTM E136 as a noncombustible cladding and is recognized by fire departments including Chicago IL, St. Paul MN, Flagstaff AZ and Wayne County, OH. Fiber cement fire resistance does not extend to applied paints or coatings, which may be damaged or char when exposed to flames.
