A fire-smart home remodel

How to make your house safer for fire season

Fire-safe house

Fire-smart charm

Noted technology forecaster Paul Saffo lives in a Bay Area neighborhood designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone—fire-resistant construction is mandated for all new houses, but existing ones are grandfathered in.

When his generations-old Craftsman needed a new roof anyway, Saffo decided to try to make his home as safe as he could.

Saffo replaced his shake roof with Class A fireproof composition shake. On the walls, he opted for fire-resistant treated shingles. Class A cap sheet under­layment helps protect the framing from flying sparks.

Click ahead for more of his fire-safe home ideas.


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