Fire-Resistant Building Materials That Enhance Design & Safety—And Are Easy to Incorporate

May 12, 2025 | Magazine, Doors & Windows, Flooring, Outdoor, Roofing, Tech & Smart Home

Read up on fire resistant building materials, regional fire code ratings and requirements, plus learn about products for each stage of your next build project.

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Fire safety plays an increasingly important role in residential construction—shaping both material selection and building design. From stricter urban codes to wildfire-prone regions, today’s architects and builders are expected to specify materials that offer protection and visual appeal.

This article explores the qualities of fire-resistant materials, how to evaluate their ratings, and which manufacturers are leading the way—so you can build safer, code-compliant homes without compromising on design and style.

What Makes a Building Material Fire-Resistant?

As a home industry professional, you know fire-resistant materials don’t prevent fires—they buy time. These materials are designed to slow heat transfer, resist structural failure under extreme temperatures, and avoid shattering or ignition. That time window can mean the difference between containment and catastrophe for occupants.

Materials that hold their structure longer provide critical evacuation time and support safer response efforts. Whether you’re specifying for siding, roofing, insulation, or interior surfaces, choosing materials with proven heat resistance adds real-world durability to your designs.

Understanding Fire Ratings and Building Codes

Materials react differently under heat, so fire ratings aren’t one-size-fits-all. Testing standards—like those developed by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)—evaluate how long a material can resist heat, limit flame spread, and withstand structural breakdown.

Professionals rely on these ratings to select code-compliant solutions and back up specs with credible data. In wildfire-prone areas, choosing higher-rated materials may even influence a home’s insurability and resale value.

When your documentation includes products that exceed code and performance expectations, it becomes easier to reassure homeowners, meet permitting requirements, and elevate your project’s marketability and profile with trade partners and clients alike.

Regional Considerations: Fire Codes in the U.S. and Canada

United States

Primary Codes:

  • International Fire Code (IFC) — adopted nationally
  • National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards — adopted by 39 states

High-Risk Areas:

  • Use stricter codes, including the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code (IWUIC)
  • Focus: Preventing fire spread between homes and wildland areas
  • Adopted in nearly 200 jurisdictions across 24 states
  • Check your local codes

Canada

Primary Codes:

  • National Building Code (NBC)
  • National Fire Code (NFC) — managed by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes

Provincial Enforcement:

  • Codes are adapted and enforced at the provincial and territorial level
  • Some regions (like British Columbia and Alberta) have added wildfire-specific building regulations

Manufacturers of Fire-Resistant Building Materials

With these fire-ratings and codes in mind, our team researched the market to find high quality North American manufacturers of fire-resistant building materials suitable for each stage of home construction. With these resources, we hope you will find innovative, high-performing materials that will help you build safer, longer-lasting homes.

Fire Resistant Framing & Wall Materials

Framing and wall systems form the backbone of every home—so choosing fire-resistant materials aids in structural integrity during a fire. While fire-retardant-treated (FRT) lumber improves safety in traditional wood builds, concrete, steel, and structural insulated panels (SIPs) offer even greater protection in high-risk areas.

Fire Resistant Framing & Wall Materials:

Fire-Retardant
FRT Lumber

Fire-retardant-treated (FRT) lumber is a common choice for enhancing fire safety in wood-framed construction. It’s pressure-treated with chemicals that slow combustion and reduce flame spread, making it a code-compliant option in many residential applications.

While FRT lumber improves fire resistance compared to untreated wood, other materials—like concrete forms or steel framing—offer even greater protection in high-risk environments or when maximum fire resistance is required.

Featured Brand

Hoover Treated Wood Products

Thompson, Georgia

Hoover’s exterior and interior products meet the flame spread requirement standards set by UL Solutions. They are pressure-impregnated fire-retardant treated lumber, which, unlike coated wood, meets code requirements for structural use.

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Featured Brand

Flameproof Companies

Montgomery, Illinois

The Flameproof Companies is a manufacturer of high-performance treated wood products that specializes in the production of treated lumber, plywood, OSB and engineered wood products featuring fire retardants, metal-based preservatives, non-intumescent coatings, & other unique chemistries.

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Fire Resistant Framing & Wall Materials:

Fire-Resistant
Concrete Materials

Concrete is composed primarily of cement, aggregate, and water, which are chemically inert and don’t burn. Concrete’s low thermal conductivity also means it doesn’t easily transfer heat, keeping structures cooler for longer during a fire.
Featured Brand

Fox Blocks

Omaha, Nebraska

Fox Blocks creates insulated concrete forms (ICFs), which are made of a combination of reinforced concrete and fire-retardant foam, enabling them to withstand extreme temperatures for up to 4 hours. They can limit the spread of fire and produce less smoke and toxic fumes.

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Fire Resistant Framing & Wall Materials:

Fire-Resistant
Steel Materials

Steel is noncombustible, meaning it will not ignite or provide additional fuel to a fire. It maintains structural integrity far longer than wood framing, but will start warping around 1500 degrees F and will completely melt at 2500 degrees F. Intumescent coatings can improve the fire resistance rating of steel.
Featured Brand

New Millennium

Fort Wayne, Indiana

New Millennium manufacturers high-performance structural steel joists, joist girders, and deck solutions with a focus on innovation to create safer and smarter products.

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Fire Resistant Framing & Wall Materials:

Fire-Retardant
Structural Insulated Panels

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are usually composed of an interior layer of foam sandwiched between two structural layers. When combined with gypsum or other noncombustible materials, SIPs can achieve higher fire resistance ratings exceeding the 1-hour standard set by ASTM E119.
Featured Brand

Structural Panels Inc.

Ontario, Canada

ROCKWALL™ fire-rated wall panels consist of a patented mineral fibre core with laminated sheet steel bonded to both sides. The assembly provides 1, 2 or 3 hours of fire resistance with a 4”, 5” or 6” core thickness (respectively).

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Fire Resistant Siding & Cladding

Engineered materials, metal, brick and stone veneers, fiber cement, and stucco serve as noncombustible alternatives to hardwood siding or cladding. They are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, enhancing home durability. Large manufacturers such as James Hardie provide cement siding, but if we’ve also listed some high quality alternatives.

Fire Resistant Siding & Cladding:

Fire-Resistant
Brick and Stone

Already fired under high temperatures, brick can withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees F. Mortar, however, will crack and expand much sooner, which can result in a loss of structural integrity. Stone does not burn, but can explode (granite) or crumble (limestone) when exposed to extreme heat and rapidly cooling temperatures. Sandstone is a popular fire resistant building choice since it can withstand heat longer without breaking.
Featured Brand

Reading Rock

Cincinnati, Ohio

Reading Rock manufactures innovative, high-quality masonry products. Their engineers are dedicated to creating green buildings, and their products contribute to LEED credits on building projects.

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Fire Resistant Siding & Cladding:

Fire-Resistant
Aluminum Siding & Panels

Aluminum is generally given an AA fire rating, the highest possible. Aluminum is non-combustible and dissipates heat quickly, discouraging the spread of fire. However, it will melt at the relatively low melting point of 1220 degrees F, so its fire resistance is increased through the use of coatings.
Featured Brand

Knotwood

Phoenix, Arizona

Knotwood creates aluminum cladding boards based on a tongue and groove system, including extra components to maneuver around windows, corners, and joints easily. They are beautiful and sustainable, designed to look like wood, and ideal for both interior and exterior use. In addition to holding a high fire rating, they are also resistant to weathering and fading.

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Fire Resistant Siding & Cladding:

Fire-Resistant
Fiber Cement Siding

Made of cement, sand, cellulose fibers, and other additives, fiber cement is non-combustible, earning it the highest fire rating – Class A. The fibers provide additional support which prevents the cement from crumbling or cracking after long exposure to high temperatures.
Featured Brand

First Class Building Products, Inc.

Marietta, Georgia

First Class Building Products creates Class A rated reinforced concrete with fiberglass fibers that allow for greater flexural strength and a lighter total weight.

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Featured Brand

EverLog Systems

Missoula, Montana

EverLog siding is a Class A fire-rated concrete siding that provides superior fire protection with the aesthetic of traditional log siding.

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Fire Resistant Doors and Windows

Fire Resistant Doors and Windows:

Modern innovations have paved the way to greater safety at the entrances of homes. The variety of fire resistant materials, including tempered glass, steel window and door frames, graphene, and phase change materials, allows for greater customization and safety in home design.
Featured Brand

Hope’s Windows

Jamestown, New York

Hope’s Jamestown175™ Series offers superior protection from the elements, including hurricanes and fires. Fire-rated product meets or exceeds fire resistance criteria in accordance with NFPA 252 and ASTM E 2010-99 tests.

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Fire Resistant Insulation & Drywall

Gypsum, mineral and rock wool, reflective insulation, aerogel, and ceramic fibers receive high fire resistance ratings, making them suitable for a wide range of interior applications.

Fire Resistant Insulation & Drywall:

Fire-Resistant
Gypsum & Fiberglass Drywall

Featured Brand

Feldman Lumber

New York, New York

Feldman Lumber produces a wide array of building materials, including fire rated and moisture and mold resistant gypsum boards, fiberglass matted gypsum boards, and other insulation solutions.

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Fire Resistant Insulation & Drywall:

Fire-Resistant
Spray Foam

Featured Brand

Thermoseal

New Canaan, Connecticut

ThermoSeal creates spray foams with greater energy efficiency and health benefits than fiberglass and cellulose. Their open cell spray foams offer superior sound quieting properties, add building strength, and cut energy bills, helping to make an overall safer structure.

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Fire Resistant Roofing Materials

Fire Resistant Insulation & Drywall:

Fire-Resistant
Mineral Fiber

Featured Brand

Adex

Montreal, Canada

Adex creates non-combustible variations of exterior insulation and finish systems (EIFS) that incorporate rigid rock-based mineral fiber insulation. Basecoat and insulation components meet CAN/ULC-S114: Method of Test for Determination of Non-Combustibility in Building Materials.

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Fire Resistant Roofing Materials:

When testing the fire-resistance of roofing materials, professionals look at the material’s ability to resist the spread of fire into the attic area and along the roof covering, and its resistance to generating burning embers. Metal, clay, and asphalt sheets or shingles regularly receive class A ratings.
Featured Brand

Western States Metal Roofing

Phoenix, Arizona

Western States Metal Roofing manufactures corrugated metal roof panels, metal roofing accessories, metal roofing supplies and metal wall panel systems with Class A fire ratings.

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Featured Brand

US Ply

Fort Worth, Texas

US Ply produces roofing underlayments made of fiberglass or non-woven polyester, saturated with asphaltic bitumen and APP resins for a durable, heat resistant, and flexible membrane that provides an extra layer of protection beneath asphalt shingles.

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Fire Resistant Decking

Fire Resistant Decking Materials:

Decking poses a potentially high risk of ignition due to the use of grills and fire pits and the closer proximity to wildlands. Aluminum, PVC, and composite materials provide superior fire-resistance than hardwood decking, with higher ignition resistance ratings and a slower rate of burning.

Featured Brand

TimberTech

Chicago, Illinois

TimberTech’s Advanced PVC Decking are Ignition Resistant, WUI Compliant, and boast a Class A Flame Spread Rating, meaning they burn at a slower rate and are less likely to contribute to aggressive flame spread, unlike traditional wood or composite decking.

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Fire Resistant Intumescent Coatings

Fire Resistant Intumescent Coatings:

Intumescent coatings are a form of passive fire protection – they swell and expand when exposed to heat, forming a protective barrier which can stand up against fire for up to four hours. Applied over steel, wood, or other structural features, they provide thermal protection, restricting the rate heat transfers to the protected material.
Featured Brand

Legacy Manufacturing

New York, New York

Legacy Manufacturing creates self-adhesive intumescent strips designed to fit in the gaps around doors. The material expands rapidly when exposed to heat stopping fire from expanding through small cracks in openings.

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Featured Brand

Carboline

St. Louis, Missouri

Carboline offers decorative, thin film intumescent coatings designed to protect steel beams, columns, pipes, and more for up to a 3 hour fire rating.

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