During wildfire season, the greatest threat to your home is wind-blown embers. Fortunately, ember resistant vents can dramatically reduce wildfire-damage risks, so contact Total Screen for ember-resistant vent installation, today.
When wildfire season approaches in California, it is easy to picture towering walls of fire threatening neighborhoods, but the reality of wildfire property damage is much different.
The greatest threat to a home is not a direct wall of fire, but it is actually the millions of tiny, wind-blown embers which are carried miles ahead of the main blaze.
If dangerous fire embers are blown into a home's attic or crawlspace through an exposed vent, they can ignite a fire from the inside out.
That is why upgrading to ember-resistant vents is one of the most critical steps a homeowner can take to harden their property.
In this guide, we will explain the benefits of ember resistant vents, including how the concept works, and the different ways you can upgrade your home's ember defenses today.
Hidden Danger of Embers
Embers are small pieces of burning wood or vegetation carried by the wind, and embers can pose a big problem if they enter a home's venting.
Embers are feather-light, which means fire embers can easily bypass traditional defensible space barriers and accumulate in gutters, on roofs, and near foundation walls.
In fact, if you want to know how many homes burn down from embers, official reports show that embers are responsible for 60% to 90% of homes lost in wildfires.
What Are Ember Resistant Vents?
Historically, home vents in the US were designed to keep rodents & birds out of the attic, while still allowing air to circulate... but most home's vents were never designed to block embers.
Most US homes built before the year 2008 have 1/4-inch metal mesh installed on their vents, but unfortunately a 1/4-inch mesh is quite large, and it will will let dangerous fire embers pass right through.
An ember resistant vent is specifically designed to block wind-blown embers while still maintaining the necessary airflow that a home needs.
The push for these safer vents became law for new construction in California following the 2008 update to the building code.
You can read more about how this changed home construction in our guide to California Building Code Chapter 7A.
In short: if your home was built before 2008, your vents are likely vulnerable.
Fortunately, homeowners have two primary paths to achieve an ember-resistant vent system.
Retrofit Vents & Vent Screens
When homeowners set out to get "ember resistant vents," they usually encounter two distinct options: a full vent replacement or a an ember-resistant vent screen.
Ember Resistant Vent Retrofits
Companies like Vulcan Vents or Brandguard manufacture engineered vent products that replace your existing vent assembly entirely.
These retrofit vents often feature complex internal baffles, louvers, or honeycomb matrices.
Some ember resistant vent retrofits even use intumescent coatings which deliberately seal the vent shut if it exposed to extreme heat, offering a level of direct flame resistance.
Retrofit ember resistant vents often require removing your old vents first, and then modifying the surrounding stucco or wood to fit the new units, which can be a costly and labor-intensive construction project.
Path 2: Ember Resistant Vent Screens
The alternative, accessible option is installing ember resistant vent screens, and this is the solution we specialize in at Total Screen.
Instead of removing your existing vents, we install a custom-cut, 1/16-inch, powder-coated, stainless steel mesh directly over your current vent openings.
The openings in an ember-resistant vent screen are smaller than normal vent screens which is how the ember screens can prevent dangerous, wind-blown embers from entering your home.
It is important to note that our ember resistant vent screens are designed exclusively to prevent ember intrusion.
By adding this ember-screen layer, you'll transform your existing vents into an ember-resistant vent system without the need for major construction.
Why Choose Ember Resistant Vent Screens?
For many homeowners, adding ember resistant vent screens will be an easy, practical, and cost-effective way to harden their homes.
Here's why ember-resistant vent screens are so popular with homeowners:
- Cost-Effective: Because you are not removing the existing vent housing, the cost of materials & labor is typically significantly lower than a full retrofit.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Our powder-coated mesh virtually disappears once installed, creating the appearance of a slightly darker vent without altering your home's architecture.
- Comprehensive Coverage: We can custom-fit screens for gable vents, foundation vents, dormer vents, and under-eave vents. Learn more about the different types of fire protection for home vents.
- DIY Friendly: Total Screen offers professional installation throughout San Diego County, but handy homeowners can tackle this project themselves. Check out our step-by-step ember mesh screen installation guide if you want to do it yourself!
Bonus: Wildfire Hardening Insurance Discounts
Taking the initiative to install ember resistant vents doesn't just bring peace of mind; it can also bring financial benefits.
Many insurance providers, including the California FAIR Plan, now offer premium discounts for homeowners who take steps to harden their properties against wildfires.
Installing approved 1/16-inch ember resistant vent screens qualifies as a "Structure Discount" under these new programs.
To learn exactly how you can claim these savings, read our breakdown of wildfire hardening discounts and the California FAIR Plan.
Secure Your Home with Total Screen
You cannot control when or where a wildfire will spark, but you can control how prepared your home is when the embers are carried by the wind.
Upgrading to ember resistant vent screens is a simple, proven way to drastically reduce your risk of property damage, so contact Total Screen today to get your free estimate.
Whether you want to learn more from our comprehensive Ember Resistant Vents Home-Hardening Guide or you are ready to schedule an installation, Total Screen is here to help.
Contact Total Screen today at (619) 871-7610 to schedule a free on-site estimate for your custom ember resistant vent screens. Let's work together to keep your home safe this wildfire season!