When Wildfire Season Arrives, Your Windows Could Be Your Home’s Greatest Vulnerability – Here’s How Smart North Carolina Homeowners Are Fighting Back

As wildfire threats continue to intensify across North Carolina, homeowners in fire-prone regions are discovering a harsh reality: if the glass in a window breaks during a wildfire, embers and flame can easily enter your home. Similarly, if your window frame ignites, it is possible that the resulting fire would burn through the frame material and ignite other material inside your home (for example, a curtain). Both of these scenarios could easily result in the loss of your home. This sobering truth is driving a surge in demand for ember-resistant window treatment materials across the state.

North Carolina’s Growing Wildfire Risk

Many people associate devastating wildfires with western states like California, but the problem also exists in North Carolina. Wildfire is a natural part of the state’s ecosystems, and the statistics are eye-opening. North Carolina is #1 in the Nation of area (acres) in the WUI (Wildland Urban Interface), (13,402,007 acres of 33,708,881 acres), 39.8 percent. This means that nearly 40% of the state exists in areas where homes and communities meet undeveloped wildland vegetation – the most dangerous zones for wildfire damage.

As development has increased in North Carolina over the past few decades, a large number of homes and communities have been built in Wildland/Urban Interface areas, increasing their risk for exposure to wildfire. The North Carolina Forest Service emphasizes that it is not a matter of “if” a wildfire will occur, but “when” it will happen.

The Ember Threat: Your Window’s Greatest Enemy

Understanding the science behind wildfire damage is crucial for effective protection. In a wildfire event, 9 out of 10 homes and buildings ignite because of embers. Wildfire Defense Mesh is a low-cost and effective solution to help protect your home and community from the three threats of wildfires: Embers, Radiant Heat and Direct Flame.

Wind-blown embers — burning pieces of bark, twigs, pinecones, needles, and other vegetation — can travel for many miles to enter and ignite homes. These flying embers are the primary cause of fires that destroy or damage homes during wildfires. Windows present a particularly vulnerable entry point, as a window that is exposed to flames may break after only 1-3 minutes of exposure to intense heat or flames and allow flames and embers inside. Glass in windows breaks because of extreme temperature differences–which develop between the exposed glass and the glass protected by the window framing material.

Advanced Window Protection Solutions

Homeowners are increasingly turning to sophisticated window protection strategies that go beyond traditional approaches. Because of the importance of glass in the performance of a window in a wildfire, the most important thing you can do is install dual-pane windows. With dual pane windows, the outer pane often serves as a thermal shield and protects the inner pane.

Tempered glass is about four times more resistant to breaking during a wildfire. For maximum protection, fire safety experts recommend both panes tempered glass is the best performer, but if 7A is followed and the window has one pane tempered and one pane annealed (plain), it is best to have the tempered glass on the non-fire side (interior) and annealed (plain) as the exterior pane.

Ember-Resistant Window Treatments: The New Frontier

Beyond upgrading glass itself, innovative window treatment materials are gaining popularity for their ability to provide additional protection layers. FireShades and FireCovers are the only products available to block radiant heat up to 2,000 ℉; they protect windows and other items vulnerable to wildfire heat, flame and embers. They are made out of fireproof fabric that blocks direct heat, radiant heat and embers up to 2000 ℉, protecting your valuable possessions from wildfire damage.

Fire-resistant window treatments have evolved significantly, with flame retardant drapes, blinds, shades, and shutters that adhere to stringent federal, state, and local fire codes. These specialized materials are made from inherently flame-retardant fabric and tested to meet NFPA 701:2010 (Method 1) standards, ensuring reliable protection when it matters most.

North Carolina’s Ready NC program specifically recommends that homeowners think about putting in protective shutters or heavy fire-resistant drapes. During evacuation procedures, officials emphasize the importance of closing all shutters, blinds or heavy non-flammable window coverings to lower radiant heat.

Professional Installation and Expertise

The complexity of wildfire protection requires professional expertise to ensure proper selection and installation of protective window treatments. For North Carolina residents seeking comprehensive wildfire protection, working with experienced professionals becomes essential. Companies specializing in North Carolina custom window treatments can provide expert guidance on selecting materials that offer both aesthetic appeal and fire protection capabilities.

Coastal Window Fashions NC, located in Hampstead, exemplifies the type of professional service homeowners need. They pride themselves on providing the best window treatment products at the lowest prices throughout North Carolina including Pender County. Their commitment to delivering top-notch products at the most competitive prices. Rest assured, with us, your projects will be seamlessly executed on schedule, and we guarantee a flawless outcome every time! makes them a valuable resource for homeowners seeking both protection and quality.

Additional Protective Measures

Effective wildfire protection extends beyond window treatments alone. Metal window screens have been shown to improve the performance of windows subjected to radiant heat exposure in wildfire conditions. Fine mesh screens of at least 1/16-inch will also help to resist the entry of embers, but will not keep flames out.

For maximum protection, experts recommend window shutters would be effective against both radiant and flame contact exposures. Homeowners can also consider temporary solutions: choose a less expensive alternative for wildfire protection: ½-inch plywood. Label them for each window so they can be installed quickly when a wildfire threatens.

The Investment in Safety

While upgrading to ember-resistant window treatments requires investment, the cost pales in comparison to potential losses. Many homes are destroyed by embers entering these openings and burning the house from the inside out. The North Carolina Forest Service emphasizes that proper preparation can make the difference between survival and total loss.

As wildfire seasons become longer and more intense, North Carolina homeowners are recognizing that ember-resistant window treatments aren’t just an option – they’re becoming a necessity. By combining proper glass selection, professional-grade fire-resistant treatments, and expert installation, residents can significantly improve their homes’ chances of surviving the next wildfire threat.

The message is clear: when wildfire season arrives, your windows don’t have to be your home’s weak point. With the right materials, professional guidance, and proactive planning, they can become part of your defense system instead.