The January 2025 fires, the most destructive in Los Angeles’ history, destroyed more than 16,000 buildings and caused up to $52 billion in property damages. To better grasp how the fires spread and which sorts of buildings were hit the hardest, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) conducted a post-disaster evaluation, analyzing about 250 structures impacted by the fires. Their observations, released March 6, highlight the importance of selecting resilient window frames and fire-rated glazing. While anyone in the window industry is already well aware of this fact, it’s an important reminder for all property owners.
Resilient Frames & Fire-Rated Glazing
Numerous factors impact a property’s overall fire resilience, including location and environmental conditions, but building materials play a vital role. As the authors of the IBHS report wrote, “A combination of noncombustible building materials and double-pane tempered windows in a resilient frame — such as fiberglass or metal — significantly reduces the likelihood of total loss.” They detailed several specific examples of window materials and resulting damage, including these key findings:
- Two windows (one with annealed glass and one with tempered glazing) faced the fire and experienced similar levels of heat exposure. The annealed glass window failed, but the tempered glass window remained in place, though it sustained frame damage.
- A building 60 feet from a burning upwind structure had single-pane annealed glass windows with wood frames. Despite only experiencing “moderate heat structure,” the windows failed. According to the study’s authors, the benefits of selecting fire-resistant building components are significant when the separation distance between a fully engulfed structure and a downwind structure is 20 feet or more. No building material is likely to survive when the separation distance is approximately 10 feet.
- Many homes and buildings impacted by the fires were built before California’s Chapter 7A building code was enacted in 2008. This means that they likely used non-resilient building materials and lacked tempered windows.
According to the study’s experts, “A home’s overall fire resilience is only as strong as its weakest link.”
How to Protect Your Home with the Right Windows
When selecting new windows for your home, keep fire safety top of mind. Look for the following elements:
- Tempered, fire-rated glazing, which is stronger than regular glass and less likely to fail
- A resilient frame material, such as fiberglass or metal, that is designed to hold the glass securely under thermal stress and prevent warping, cracking, or collapse
- Double- or triple-pane windows, which offer more protection due to their multiple layers of glass and the insulating spaces in between
- Intumescent seals or gaskets, which expand when exposed to heat to seal gaps between the glass and frame, preventing the passage of smoke and flames
- Certifications and ratings that show the window has been tested and certified according to fire safety standards, such as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 257 criteria
In addition, be sure that the installation method complies with IBC and local fire rating standards.
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Investing in certified, properly installed fire-rated glazing and resilient frames isn’t just a regulatory necessity these days; it’s a proactive measure you should take to increase your property’s safety and security.
If you’re searching for reliable fire-resistant replacement windows, turn to the experts at American Window Company. Since 1999, we have offered an extensive collection of high-quality windows, doors, shutters, blinds, and more. We are a small, family-owned business that is committed to providing excellent quality and on-time installation. In addition, we are properly licensed and insured to protect our employees and provide our customers with peace of mind. For a free estimate or more information about our products and services, please contact us today.
