Fire-Resilient Home That Meets the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code

Colorado’s New Wildfire Building Code Image

Build a Fire – Resilient Home

Colorado’s New Wildfire Building Code

Starting July 1, 2025, Colorado adopted the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (CWRC), a new statewide standard that sets minimum fire-resistant building requirements for homes in Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. By April 1, 2026, local municipalities must adopt and enforce this code to improve community safety and long-term resilience.

In these zones, fire-resistant materials are essential. The CWRC requires homes in moderate to high-intensity fire zones to use Class 1 and Class 2 structural hardening materials, such as noncombustible siding, Class A roofing, and ember-resistant vents.

GS Exterior Experts has been preparing for this shift for years, with products and craftsmanship that already meet or exceed these standards.

Fire-Resilient Home Solutions

Our Fire-Resilient Home Solutions

Trusted Materials. Proven Protection. Installed by GS Exterior Experts.

Colorado’s new wildfire building requirements raise the bar for safety in WUI zones, and the materials you select now matter more than ever. We help homeowners choose exterior systems that reduce ignition risk and increase long-term resilience. Below is a complete list of the preferred fire-resistant products our team installs.

Exterior Siding and Wall Systems

Non-combustible and ignition-resistant cladding designed for high-risk fire zones.

James Hardie® Fiber Cement Siding

A proven choice for performance and safety, James Hardie siding is verified as noncombustible (ASTM E136) and Class A fire-rated (ASTM E84), with a flame spread of zero.
 It won’t contribute fuel to a fire and meets CWRC Class 2 requirements for homes in moderate-to-high fire-intensity zones.

Why Homeowners Choose Hardie:

  • Fully compliant with Colorado’s new code

  • Withstands heat, hail, and harsh weather

  • Retains its color with ColorPlus® baked-on finish

  • May qualify for insurance discounts due to its durability and fire performance

  • Designed for longevity with minimal maintenance

If your home still has original Masonite or wood siding, upgrading to James Hardie fiber cement is one of the most effective ways to reduce fire risk and add long-term value.

Allura® Fiber Cement Siding

Allura is a durable, fiber-cement siding system designed to perform in high-heat, high-UV, and wildfire-exposed environments. As a noncombustible cladding, it will not ignite or contribute fuel to a fire, and its fiber-cement composition offers reliable protection from embers and radiant heat.

Allura boards are engineered for long-term stability, resisting warping, swelling, and cracking even through Colorado’s freeze-thaw cycles.

Why Homeowners Choose Allura:

  • Noncombustible fiber-cement construction

  • Strong fire resistance, limiting flame spread and ember ignition

  • Durable in extreme climates, including intense sun and rapid temperature shifts

  • Low maintenance, with finishes built to withstand years of exposure

  • Resists moisture, insects, and rot, adding longevity and value

  • Upgrading from combustible siding materials, such as Masonite or engineered wood, to Allura significantly improves fire resilience and reduces maintenance requirements over time.

Nichiha® Fiber Cement Siding

Nichiha offers a commercial-grade fiber-cement panel system adapted for residential applications. Its dense, noncombustible construction provides strong fire protection, while its panelized design offers homeowners modern architectural options.

Why Homeowners Choose Nichiha:

  • Noncombustible fiber-cement panels suitable for high-risk fire zones

  • Modern aesthetic, with large-format architectural profiles

  • Class A fire performance

  • Durable coatings, supporting long-term color retention

  • Engineered stability, reducing risk of cracking or moisture intrusion

For homeowners who prefer a modern appearance without compromising fire safety, Nichiha delivers both performance and design flexibility.

EverLog® Concrete Log Siding

EverLog siding provides the look of natural wood logs without the fire vulnerability. Made from reinforced concrete, it is completely noncombustible and designed to withstand wildfire conditions, moisture exposure, and wood-destroying pests.

Why Homeowners Choose EverLog:

  • 100 percent noncombustible, eliminating the ignition risks of traditional log siding

  • Authentic log appearance with no warping, splitting, or settling

  • Zero maintenance, removing the need for staining or sealing

  • Long service life, providing stable protection for decades

  • Resists insects, moisture, and rot, ideal for mountain and foothill homes

EverLog is a transformative upgrade for homeowners seeking the warmth of a log home with the safety and stability of concrete.

Preferred Masonry and Cementitious Options

Coronado® Stone Veneer

Coronado Stone is a manufactured stone veneer system created from cementitious, noncombustible materials. It offers the beauty of natural stone while providing excellent fire performance for exterior wall assemblies.

Why Homeowners Choose Coronado Stone:

  • Noncombustible material composition

  • Strong heat and fire resistance, limiting ignition opportunities

  • A broad range of styles and textures, complementing any architecture

  • Lightweight installation, adapted to most exterior substrates

  • Durable finish, retaining visual appeal in harsh climates

Coronado is well-suited for homeowners wanting both aesthetic elevation and improved fire resilience.

Sunset Stone® Veneer

Sunset Stone, a locally manufactured product, delivers the durability of cement-based stone while being inherently noncombustible. It performs reliably in wildfire-exposed areas and adds dimensional texture to the home’s exterior.

Why Homeowners Choose Sunset Stone:

  • Fire-safe cementitious composition

  • Natural stone aesthetics with Colorado-inspired color palettes

  • Low maintenance, resisting fading and deterioration

  • Versatile application, suitable for full walls, accents, or wainscot

  • Locally made, supporting Colorado manufacturing

Sunset Stone is a preferred choice for homeowners seeking local materials aligned with fire-resilient construction.

MasterWall® Stucco Systems

MasterWall offers a high-performing stucco system using cement-based, noncombustible materials that serve as a protective exterior shell. Stucco provides an excellent barrier against radiant heat and performs well in wildfire conditions when properly installed.

Why Homeowners Choose MasterWall:

  • Noncombustible cementitious layers

  • Strong fire resistance, slowing heat transfer into wall cavities

  • Durable exterior finish, holding up to Colorado’s weather swings

  • Custom textures and colors, supporting architectural variety

  • Long lifespan, with minimal maintenance

MasterWall is an ideal upgrade for homeowners relying on solid exterior wall protection in fire-prone regions.

Roofing Systems

Class A and non-combustible roofing materials that protect against ember exposure and flame spread.

F-Wave® Synthetic Roofing Shingles

A high-performance roofing system built for harsh climates and wildfire-prone areas, F-Wave shingles are engineered from a single-piece polymer that resists ignition, impact, heat, and UV exposure. Unlike traditional asphalt shingles, F-Wave contains no granules, no asphalt, and no layered construction, which removes many of the failure points seen in conventional roofing under extreme weather and fire conditions.

F-Wave shingles deliver Class A fire performance, the highest fire rating available for residential roofing, and their durable construction offers superior protection against embers, flame spread, and Colorado’s unpredictable climate.

Why Homeowners Choose F-Wave:

  • Class A fire-rated roofing system for superior flame resistance

  • Non-granular polymer construction that will not crack, delaminate, or lose protective surface over time

  • Class 4 impact-rated, offering exceptional performance against hail and debris

  • High wind resistance, engineered to withstand severe wind events common along the Front Range

  • UV and heat stable, maintaining structural integrity under prolonged sun exposure

  • Long-term durability, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacement

  • Low maintenance, since polymer shingles resist curling, warping, and moisture intrusion

If your roof is older, made from combustible materials, or showing signs of wear, upgrading to F-Wave synthetic shingles is one of the most effective ways to increase fire resilience and safeguard your home from Colorado’s most common sources of exterior damage.

DECRA® Stone-Coated Steel Roofing

A premium noncombustible roofing system engineered for durability, DECRA roofing combines the strength of galvanized steel with a stone-coated finish that performs exceptionally well in wildfire-prone regions. Steel roofing does not ignite, melt, or contribute fuel to a fire, and DECRA’s interlocking panel design adds structural stability under severe conditions.

DECRA systems carry a Class A fire rating, offering the highest level of protection from flame spread and airborne embers. Their steel core and impact-resistant profile also make them one of the most resilient choices for Colorado’s combination of wildfire exposure, hail, wind, and heavy snow.

Why Homeowners Choose DECRA:

  • Noncombustible steel construction that does not contribute fuel during a fire

  • Class A fire-rated, meeting top-tier wildfire protection standards

  • An interlocking panel system that resists uplift and prevents ember intrusion

  • Class 4 impact resistance, ideal for hail-prone areas along the Front Range

  • Exceptional wind resistance, performing well in storm-exposed corridors

  • Long lifespan, with steel panels that maintain structural integrity for decades

  • Low maintenance, since metal will not warp, crack, or deteriorate like asphalt or wood

For homeowners replacing aging or combustible roofing, DECRA offers a long-lasting, noncombustible solution that significantly reduces fire risk while enhancing architectural appeal.

Standing Seam Metal Roofing

Standing-seam metal roofing is one of the most reliable, fire-resistant roof systems available today. Made from noncombustible steel panels, these roofs offer excellent performance in high-heat and ember-exposed conditions. Because metal does not ignite, spark, or burn, it reduces the likelihood of roof-level ignition during a wildfire.

Its continuous raised-seam structure creates a tight, interlocking system that sheds embers, resists wind uplift, and minimizes areas where debris can accumulate. This makes it one of the most resilient roofing options for homes in Colorado’s expanding wildfire zones.

Why Homeowners Choose Standing Seam Metal:

  • Noncombustible steel panels that provide inherent fire resistance

  • Class A fire performance, suitable for high-risk WUI zones

  • Continuous panel construction that resists ember intrusion

  • High wind and uplift resistance, ideal for foothill and mountain regions

  • Long service life, often lasting two to three times longer than asphalt

  • Minimal maintenance, with no shingles or granules to deteriorate

  • Energy efficient, reflecting heat and helping stabilize attic temperatures

Decking and Structural Framing

Fire-resistant deck systems designed for modern outdoor living.

TimberTech® Composite Decking

TimberTech decking is designed to mimic natural wood while offering improved ignition resistance, long-term durability, and low maintenance. It performs better than traditional wood decking during ember exposure and resists warping, cracking, and splintering.

Why Homeowners Choose TimberTech:

  • More fire-resistant than natural wood decking

  • Low maintenance, never requiring staining or sealing

  • Resists warping, moisture, and insects

  • Stable under extreme sun and heat

  • Multiple colors and textures, enhancing outdoor living spaces

For homes in wildfire zones, TimberTech offers a safer, more durable alternative to wood.

Fortress® Evolution Steel Framing

Fortress Evolution is an all-steel deck framing system engineered for strength and ignition resistance. Steel framing removes one of the biggest wildfire vulnerabilities of traditional decks, replacing combustible wood with a stable, noncombustible structure.

Why Homeowners Choose Fortress Evolution:

  • Noncombustible steel construction

  • Superior fire performance, significantly reducing ignition risks

  • Straight, stable framing that will not bow, twist, or rot

  • Long lifespan, outlasting traditional wood framing

  • Compatible with any deck surface, including TimberTech and PVC products

Fortress Evolution delivers structural reassurance and long-term resilience for elevated decks and outdoor living areas.

SOFFITS, GABLES, AND VENTING

Vulcan Vents® Ember-Resistant Venting

Vulcan Vents are designed to prevent ember intrusion during wildfires, using a self-closing intumescent core that seals at high temperatures. They provide essential protection for attic spaces, soffits, and gables — often the first entry point for wildfire embers.

Why Homeowners Choose Vulcan Vents:

  • Ember-resistant design, preventing embers from entering the home

  • Self-closing under heat, sealing when temperatures rise

  • Noncombustible metal mesh, offering durable, long-term performance

  • Meets WUI venting requirements in fire-prone regions

  • Minimal maintenance, with corrosion-resistant construction

  • For many homes, vent upgrades are among the most cost-effective and high-impact fire-defense improvements available.

Insulation

Non-combustible insulation that improves safety and performance.

Rockwool® Mineral Wool Insulation

Rockwool insulation is a stone-based, noncombustible insulation material capable of withstanding extremely high temperatures without melting or releasing toxic smoke. It enhances both fire safety and overall building performance.

Why Homeowners Choose Rockwool:

  • Fully noncombustible, providing an added layer of fire protection

  • Maintains form under extreme heat, improving fire resilience

  • Moisture and mold resistant, supporting healthy structures

  • Superior sound control

  • Long-term durability, retaining R-value over time

  • Rockwool improves the strength and safety of any wall or attic assembly, especially when paired with noncombustible cladding.

WINDOWS

Aluminum and Steel Window Systems

Metal-framed windows provide better fire performance than vinyl or wood due to their noncombustible frames, higher heat tolerance, and reduced risk of deformation under radiant heat. When paired with tempered or heat-resistant glazing, metal windows help protect interior spaces from ember exposure and heat damage.

Why Homeowners Choose Aluminum or Steel Windows:

  • Noncombustible frames, reducing ignition risk

  • Greater heat resistance, maintaining structure under extreme temperatures

  • Durable construction, resisting warping and deterioration

  • Thin, strong profiles, supporting modern architectural design

  • Compatible with fire-rated assemblies, improving whole-home resilience

Upgrading to aluminum or steel windows is a significant improvement for homes relying on full-envelope fire hardening.

Why These Products

We curated this lineup because these materials consistently perform well in fire exposure tests, durability assessments, and field installations in wildfire-prone regions. They also meet or exceed the requirements outlined in Colorado’s new Wildfire Resiliency Code and its structural hardening standards.

You’re not just choosing materials; you’re choosing a system aligned for long-term protection, code compliance, and investment value.

Why Homeowners Trust GS Exterior Experts

With over 20 years of experience serving the Front Range and mountain communities, GS Exterior Experts delivers more than compliance, we deliver peace of mind. Our team combines expert installation, premium materials, and a stress-free customer experience rooted in integrity, quality, and satisfaction.

We’re already building to the standards Colorado will soon require, helping homeowners protect what matters most while enhancing curb appeal and property value.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Home?

Schedule a consultation with our team to evaluate your home’s exterior and discuss upgrades that meet or exceed the new Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code.