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Builders and homeowners shouldn’t have to choose between the natural beauty of real wood and the safety requirements of current fire codes. At Mataverde, we understand that aesthetic values and home hardening should go hand-in-hand. When searching for fire resistant fencing options, many people may think they are limited to a fence made of composite, metal, or masonry. We are here to show you a more beautiful, natural, and proven way.
Mataverde SaferWood Fire-Retardant Treated Wood Fence in natural STK Cedar
In This Article:
Recently our Western Regional Sales Manager, Perry Alibrio, was interviewed about Mataverde SaferWood fencing. In the video (see below), which also features a flame-resistance lab test, Perry breaks down the advantages of Mataverde fire-retardant treated wood fencing. Here’s what you need to know:
Mataverde SaferWood FRTW cedar wood fencing shown unfinished
Beauty, Safety, Durability in One Fence
Whether you looking for sustainable solutions or focused on safety, SaferWood cedar fencing is, as Perry says, “a key component and a great piece in home hardening”. Mataverde is proud to offer a natural wood fencing option that has everything your client and you are looking for in one place.
Natural, Appearance Grade Beauty
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The only appearance grade fire retardant treated wood fencing on the market.
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Providing a vital real wood option for high-quality home projects that are in fire-prone areas.
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Gorgeous natural Cedar wood, in high demand by customers.
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Specifically engineered to be one of the premier fire-resistant fencing options residents and builders can rely on, designed to meet or even exceed the fire codes in the state of California and other regions.
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Class A Fire rated, ignition resistant, and is both WUI (Wildland Urban Interface) and IWUI (International Wildland Urban Interface) approved.
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A permanent, non-leaching and non-toxic fire-retardant treatment option.
"Embers can be particularly destructive – capable of igniting homes up to a mile away "
Smart Choice, Certified Safety
In a fire-prone environment, your fence needs to be more than just a property boundary. It serves as a critical, and often overlooked, component of your home’s "defensible space." Help protect your home and family by creating an ignition resistant fence to slow down the spread of embers.
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Combating Ember Attack: The vast majority of homes lost to wildfires are ignited not by direct flame contact, but by wind-blown embers. Traditional untreated fencing acts as a continuous fuel source, allowing fire to wick directly toward your structure. Mataverde SaferWood is specifically engineered to resist ignition, effectively neutralizing the fence as a potential transmission point.
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Slowing the Spread: By installing an ignition-resistant barrier, you gain precious time. The SaferWood treatment process ensures that even under intense heat and ember showers, the wood does not contribute to the fire’s growth. This helps create a firebreak effect, slowing the approach of a wildfire and giving emergency responders a better chance to defend your property.
If fire-resistant fencing is in your future, ask for a project quote now.
Mataverde SaferWood Western Red Cedar 4x4 posts for fences approved for ground contact
Robust Durability
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Mataverde fencing components are made of Select Tight Knot (STK) Western Red Cedar and Cedar pickets for excellent outdoor performance. This ensures the knots are intact, do not create gaps, avoiding the ‘weak links’ in lower grade lumber.
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Cedar has natural oils that create inherently high resistance to rot, decay, and insect damage.
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Mataverde SaferWood passed the OSFM California 10-year outdoor weathering test, providing documented fire resistance and durability over the long term.
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Mataverde SaferWood Fire retardant treated fence Design rendering
Putting Fencing Feet to the Fire: Real Flames, Real Results
To prove that you can have both outstanding safety with curb appeal, Western Fire Center, Inc. (WFCI) in Kelso, Washington, performed rigorous third-party testing on Mataverde SaferWood. WFCI is accredited under the International Accreditation Service (IAS) laboratory. They perform tests including fire resistance of building materials, Urban-Wildland Interface, accelerated weathering tests and more.
WFCI testing moves Mataverde SaferWood fencing beyond claims to solid evidence of how it performs under extreme conditions.
Watch the Testing Video Here:
Price your project now and start planning.
The Critical Head-to-Head Test
To demonstrate the difference, WFCI built a single fence with two distinct sides: one half was traditional, untreated Western Red Cedar, and the other was Mataverde SaferWood.
To simulate a realistic wildfire or accidental fire scenario, wood mulch was placed against the entire base of the fence including the cedar fence post and coated with an alcohol accelerant. Excelsior, (a fire starter of thin shavings of wood with wax), was placed at the center joint where the two fencings met to ensure a high-intensity ignition point.
The Results: 30 Minutes of Intense Direct Flame Exposure
The entire structure was ignited and allowed to burn for thirty minutes under controlled conditions. The results, as seen in the test video, were undeniable:
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Untreated Wood Fencing: The traditional fence quickly became engulfed, resulting in a large hole burned right through the entire fence.
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Mataverde SaferWood Fencing: While it did experience some charring and smoke, there was no continued combustion even after the accelerant and thirty minutes of exposure of flame and wind.
The evidence is clear. Protecting your home from wildfires doesn't mean you have to settle for the industrial look of metal or the artificial feel of composites. The head-to-head testing at the Western Fire Center proves that Mataverde SaferWood provides the critical buffer you need when every second counts, maintaining its structural integrity while untreated wood succumbs to the flames.
By choosing Mataverde SaferWood, you are investing in a best-of-both-worlds solution. You get the iconic warmth and look of Western Red Cedar, backed by the rigorous science of a Class A, WUI fire rating and permanent, non-toxic protection.
If you’re ready to level up your home hardening plans, we’re here to help you get started. Contact Us to request samples, price your project, or with any questions.
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