Retrofitting Homes: Cost of Mitigation Strategies for Improved Wildfire Resistance

ABSTRACT As wildfire risks increase, it is essential to retrofit the existing housing stock in wildfire‐prone areas to reduce community wildfire risk. Yet there are significant questions regarding the costs and most effective strategies to retrofit homes for improved wildfire resistance. This articl...

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Veröffentlicht in:Fire and materials Jg. 49; H. 5; S. 762 - 775
Hauptverfasser: Barrett, Kimiko, Quarles, Stephen L.
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Bognor Regis Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.08.2025
Schlagworte:
Building codes
built environment
Construction costs
Construction methods
cost affordability
Costs
Environmental risk
External walls
home hardening
retrofit
Retrofitting
structural ignition
wildfire resistance
Wildfires
United States > US
California
ISSN:0308-0501, 1099-1018
Online-Zugang:Volltext
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Zusammenfassung:ABSTRACT As wildfire risks increase, it is essential to retrofit the existing housing stock in wildfire‐prone areas to reduce community wildfire risk. Yet there are significant questions regarding the costs and most effective strategies to retrofit homes for improved wildfire resistance. This article identifies the costs for retrofitting homes to meet the requirements specified by Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire Exposure) in the California Building Code. Guidance from recent research related to ignition‐resistant construction was also utilized. Construction costs were calculated as a per‐unit value and were explicit to the exterior components of the home. Detailed estimates are offered for upgrading a home's exterior walls, roof, deck, windows and doors, under‐eave areas, gutters, and near‐home landscaping. Analysis demonstrates that some of the most effective strategies to reduce structure vulnerability to wildfire can be done affordably. This analysis suggested that for a typical 2000‐square‐foot home in California, retrofitting costs can be as low as $2000 for minimal retrofits to $100,000 for the highest level of protection.
Bibliographie:Funding
This work was supported by State of California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), U.S. Forest Service.
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ISSN:0308-0501
1099-1018
DOI:10.1002/fam.3261