Building a Safer Home Near Colorado’s Wildland Areas

Before thinking about interior upgrades, it’s important to address the space surrounding your home. Defensible space is the buffer zone that prevents a fire from spreading directly to your structure.

Creating this zone includes steps like:

• Removing dry brush and combustible landscaping

• Keeping tree limbs trimmed and cleared from the roofline

• Choosing rock, gravel, or hardscape elements near the foundation

• Opting for fire-resistant shrubs and plants

If you’re planning a remodel that changes the way your outdoor areas function—such as a patio expansion, entry update, or structural addition—it’s worth establishing defensible space early in the design phase. Homeowners often incorporate updated walkways, terracing, and remodel-friendly landscaping to keep embers from accessing vulnerable areas near the home.

For renovation projects that touch the kitchen or outdoor access points, it’s also common to improve ventilation, backup power options, and durable exterior finishes. Many clients explore enhanced kitchen airflow solutions or take advantage of high-performance cooking space improvements that incorporate safer materials and better layout protections.