The context of living in an area subject to bushfire means that externally, home improvements need a slightly different perspective. Materials that you may choose in the next suburb purely on aesthetic grounds would also need to be chosen with regard to ember resistance, radiant heat, access and ease of maintenance.
Perhaps the most critical first step should involve discovering the specific requirements pertinent to a property as opposed to making generalizations.
Know the property’s bushfire requirements
Site constraintsBushfire building controls and planning requirements may differ depending on the site location, the vegetation on the site and the perceived risk of exposure. Check your property’s regulations. Before making significant changes to windows, decks, cladding or other external finishes – seek professional advice and identify what regulations your property must meet. Just because a product is marketed as appropriate for one building does not necessarily mean it is appropriate for yours.
Keep the exterior maintainable
Debris, leaves, bark and other matter can accumulate on gutters, valleys, corners and exterior structures. Exterior design elements that are inaccessible or difficult to inspect/clean can result in continuous maintenance issues.
Consider, during renovations, whether vital areas will be safely accessible for regular cleaning and inspection.
Review windows, screens and other openings
Windows and openings deserve particular attention because they form part of the boundary between the inside of the home and external conditions.
Depending on the project requirements, homeowners may investigate glazing, screens, shutters and other protective systems. Specialist suppliers such as Roller Shutter People include bushfire-oriented shutter options in their broader range, but any product considered for a bushfire-prone property should be checked against the specific requirements and documentation for that site rather than chosen on a general claim alone.
Think about decks and attached structures
Trees, shrubs, undergrowth, outbuildings and vegetation can create fire pathways toward the house or hinder the placement of fire retardants. Decking, pergolas, fences and stairs can also impact where vegetated material and combustibles can be placed relative to the house, or may also pose a fire hazard in their own right, depending on the material and its upkeep. Materials, spaces and junctions, and age of the element need to be considered. Age, decay and areas collecting persistent leaf build-up might receive more careful review than newly planted trees.
Manage vegetation as part of the property
Landscaping is not separate from the house. Plant selection, spacing and maintenance can all affect the amount of vegetation close to the building.
Local guidance and professional advice are important because the right approach depends heavily on the site. Clearing indiscriminately is not always appropriate and may also conflict with environmental or planning controls.
Make access and maintenance realistic
A bushfire-conscious design is only useful if homeowners can maintain it. Roof areas that cannot be inspected, gutters that are impossible to reach and complicated exterior systems that are never serviced can undermine good intentions.
Choose materials and products with a realistic maintenance plan in mind.
Treat bushfire resilience as a system
A simple alteration to an individual shutter, screen, cladding or a landscape modification cannot fully negate the risk of bushfire to your home. A more comprehensive way to achieve higher levels of bushfire preparedness looks at the building, openings, the roof structure and the vegetated surrounds including the site’s specific bushfire study results. When designing improvements to the exterior make sure each individual modification compliments and works within this overall picture – and keep the documentation for any new products.