Retrofitting older homes in Los Angeles has become one of the most important steps homeowners can take to reduce wildfire risk. With hotter, longer fire seasons and increasingly unpredictable wind patterns, neighbourhoods across the foothills, canyons, and even urban valleys face elevated danger every year. Many older LA homes were built before modern fire-safe construction standards, making strategic upgrades essential for improving resilience. This guide breaks down what homeowners need to know and which retrofits can make the biggest difference.
Understanding Why Older Homes Face Higher Risk
Many residential areas in Los Angeles were developed decades ago, long before wildfire science shaped today’s building codes. Older structures often contain vulnerabilities that embers can easily exploit.
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Key vulnerabilities in pre-1990s homes
- Roofs made from untreated wood shakes
- Single-pane windows that break quickly under heat
- Open eaves that allow embers to enter attic spaces
- Vents without ember-resistant screening
- Vegetation planted too close to exterior walls
These weaknesses increase the chance that wind-blown embers, not flames, ignite the home. According to data regularly discussed in LA County wildfire assessments, up to 90 percent of homes lost in wildfires ignite from embers, not direct flames. Retrofitting helps break that chain.
Strengthening the Roof: The Most Critical Upgrade
A home’s roof is the most susceptible surface during a wildfire. Older LA homes with wooden shingles or aging composite materials face substantially higher ignition risk.
Recommended roofing retrofits
- Replace wood shake roofs with Class A fire-rated materials
- Consider metal, clay tile, or modern composite shingles
- Seal gaps between roof coverings to prevent ember accumulation
Upgrading to a Class A roof is widely considered the single most effective retrofit a homeowner can make. Roof edge flashing and gutter guards also stop embers from catching debris along the perimeter.
Upgrading Vents, Eaves, and Attic Openings
These small openings may seem minor, but they are major pathways for ember intrusion.
Best practices for vent retrofitting
- Install ember-resistant vents with a fine 1/8-inch metal mesh
- Upgrade soffit and attic vents to dual-layer ember protection
- Enclose open eaves with boxed or soffited designs
Proper vent screening helps ensure that airborne embers cannot enter the attic and ignite insulation or stored items. For older craftsman or bungalow-style homes in LA, enclosing eaves in a way that matches architectural detail is often achievable without losing character.
Windows and Exterior Walls: Crucial Heat Resistance
Heat from a wildfire can shatter weak windows, allowing flames and embers inside.
Window upgrades that make a difference
- Replace single-pane windows with dual-pane tempered glass
- Install fire-rated shutters for additional protection
- Use non-combustible frame materials when possible
Exterior walls also matter. Older homes may have siding that ignites easily or allows fire to creep behind it. Stucco, fibre-cement, and metal siding are among the most fire-resistant choices for Los Angeles homes.
Creating Defensible Space Around the Home
Even the best home retrofits fall short if fuel sources sit too close to the structure. Defensible space modifications help slow fire spread and give firefighters a safer zone to work in.
Key defensible space zones
Zone 0: The immediate five feet
- Keep this area completely free of combustible materials
- Use gravel, stone, or concrete instead of mulch
- Avoid storing items next to walls or beneath decks
Zone 1: The first thirty feet
- Trim low branches
- Space out shrubs and remove dead vegetation
- Keep grass well maintained
Defensible space remains one of the most effective wildfire risk reduction strategies recommended in LA County Fire safety guidelines.
Retrofitting Decks, Fences, and Attached Structures
Embers can travel beneath decks or ignite wooden fencing that leads flames straight to the house.
High-risk features to upgrade
- Replace wooden fencing attached to the home with metal or composite sections
- Retrofit decks using ignition-resistant materials
- Keep the underside of decks free of debris and screened off
These changes prevent small ignitions from escalating into full fire involvement.
Cost Considerations and Funding Support
Wildfire retrofits vary widely in cost. Roof replacement can be a major investment, while vent upgrades or vegetation management are more affordable. Some Los Angeles homeowners may qualify for grants, insurance incentives, or local resilience programs designed to reduce wildfire risk.
Tips to plan financially
- Prioritise roof, vents, and immediate-zone retrofits first
- Work with licensed contractors familiar with wildfire building standards
- Consult local Fire Safe Councils for community-based support
Even phased improvements made over several months can substantially reduce risk.
Closing Thoughts
Older homes across Los Angeles can be significantly strengthened with the right retrofits. By focusing on roofs, vents, windows, defensible space, and attached structures, homeowners can address the most common ignition pathways and improve both property and community resilience. Wildfire risk will continue growing, but preparation and retrofitting provide a strong defence.
What steps are you planning to take to protect your home? Share your thoughts or experiences on BeReadyLA.org.
