Have you ever seen pictures on the news where one house is burned to the ground, while the house next door is still standing perfectly upright? Most people assume that is because a fire started in one home and did not spread to another, but that is not always the case. In some instances, one home is simply built to be resistant to fires, while the other is left to burn to the ground. What makes some homes more susceptible to fire damage than others, and what can you do to protect your home in the future? With the right building materials, you could protect your home and its contents from fire damage. Here are a few solutions that may help you do just that.

Wooden Frames vs. Steel Frames

Most people think of wood when it comes to the frame of a house, but a lot of modern day homebuilders will actually use steel to frame a house because it is less susceptible to fire damage. Metal is also less likely to warp in varying weather conditions, and it will not rust if it is treated properly. If you are building an addition to your home or a new home in general, you may think about using metal to frame it instead of wood. At the end of the day, it could do wonders for protecting you in a fire.

Metal Siding vs. Other Materials

Metal siding and roofing are also positive additions to your home. These will coat the exterior of your home and protect it from any wildfires that may be coming your way. Texas and Oklahoma recently faced a lot of unexpected forest fires that have spread themselves into towns and neighborhoods. If you live in the south and want to protect your home during the summer, metal roofing and siding may be ideal for you.

On a side note, metal siding is pretty strong against other acts of Mother Nature. It could be a wise investment all the way around. It protects against:

• Heavy Precipitation: You may not think that metal siding would work well in an area with a lot of rain or snow because metal is likely to rust in those conditions. Good quality siding should be coated in a way that it will not do that though. The sealant on the outside of the siding is designed to prevent it from rusting, and it actually repels water so that rain and snow just fall right off the edge of the house. Consider this wax for your house, just like you would use for your car. It is perfect for whatever precipitation you may get in your area.
• Heat: Metal siding may not sound ideal for high heat areas because metal is a good conductor of heat. The siding available for your home is made to repel heat rather than absorbing it, so you do not have to worry about it catching on fire or heating up your home. Many metal sidings are cool to the touch in 100+ degree weather, so you should have no trouble using this even in the dead of the summer.
• Wind: The interlocking metal materials are made to hold up even in high winds, so there is no need to concern yourself about the siding blowing away. It should be plenty secure if you live in a windy area, and it will not show damage if a piece of debris puts a dent in the metal. This durable material is stronger than brick in a lot of ways, making it perfect for any wind levels you have.
• Cold: Cold temperatures do not affect metal siding at all. The siding should still be able to keep your home warm, even in the freezing cold. No matter where you live or what time of year it may be, metal siding will be perfect for your home.