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Protect your deck.

Writer's picture: danlebrundanlebrun

Decks are very vulnerable to fire as they are exposed to embers and are mostly made of timber making them more flammable. Here are few tips to make your deck more fire resistant:

  • Remove all combustible materials stored underneath and ensure a non-combustible surface (gravel, rock mulch, brick, concrete pavers, patio stones) extends for 1.5 m out of the deck’s perimeter to also prevent vegetation growth.

  • If your deck is open, regularly clean debris under the deck such as dead leaves or needles.

  • Better yet, enclose the deck with fine metal screen or metal (aluminum soffit works well) around the deck’s footings.

  • If your deck is unpainted, apply a Class A fire retardant coating like FX LumberGuard XT.

  • Better yet, Install a fire-resistant material on your deck such as Tanzite stoneck tiles, Nextdeck (aluminum based), TimberTech (PVC based) or any other Class A rated material.

  • Replace the support structure with a Class A-rated composite materials made from PVC and wood fibre, or timber treated with fire-retardant chemicals such as FX LumberGuard XT sold by Fire Retardant Coatings Canada in Burnaby, BC.

  • Cap desk joists with flashing or foil tape.

  • Upgrade wood railings with metal or tempered glass ones.

  • Store all patio furniture and decorative combustible items away from the deck if there is any threat of fire.

Be aware that “fire-resistant” or “fire-rated” materials will not provide a sufficient fire protection compared to Class A materials which have a none or limited combustibility.


Researched and written by Virginia Sarrazin

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