Climate-Smart & Resilient Materials
Resilient design in 2026 means considering rising fire and heat risks, and selecting building materials that can withstand fire-prone climates while not exacerbating negative environmental impact. Read on to explore how choosing the right materials for key building applications can help mitigate risk and harm.
Parallel powder-coated aluminum supports resilience goals without introducing harmful red list chemicals. Explore fire-smart exterior applications for fencing, railing, and cladding.
Fencing is often the first line of defense for a building exterior during a wildfire. Choosing a Class A fire-rated fencing material, like Parallel aluminum, is crucial for minimizing flame and smoke production and stopping a blaze before it spreads further.
Like fencing, choosing a non-combustible material for commercial and residential exterior railings can help prevent a wildfire from spreading into a building. Aluminum’s non-combustible nature makes it a smart, proactive choice in today’s wildfire-prone climate.
A high-performing facade material should protect the structure beneath it. By selecting Parallel aluminum for exterior cladding, you can be confident you have chosen a material that helps mitigate fire spread risk and will not contribute harmful chemicals to the environment in the event of a blaze.
Pair non-combustible exterior materials with smart detailing, like minimizing horizontal ledges where embers can collect, sealing gaps where debris can gather, and keeping ignition-prone elements away from the building envelope.
Higher ambient temperatures and prolonged heat waves can accelerate material degradation and increase cooling loads, which makes durability and thermal performance part of any fire-forward design strategy.
Look for products that meet Class A fire ratings, avoid added toxic chemicals, and maintain performance over time, including in high-UV, high-heat conditions.
