When you think about home remodeling, terms like floor plan, layout, and fixtures usually come to mind. But there’s a behind-the-scenes concept that matters just as much for safety and comfort: draft stopping. At Colorado Home Remodeling, we deal with these details to ensure your project isn’t just beautiful, but that it’s also safe and up to code.
Draft Stopping Defined
Draft stopping is a construction technique used to slow the movement of air, smoke, and flames through hidden spaces in a home; please like attics, crawl spaces, or between floor levels. While it might sound like fireblocking, draft stopping focuses on larger concealed spaces. Its job is to divide those areas into smaller sections, preventing fire and smoke from racing unchecked through your house.
Think of draft stopping as adding speed bumps in your attic or floor cavities, slowing down a fire’s path and giving you more time to safely get out.
Why It Matters in Remodeling
When we remodel homes, draft stopping often comes into play during:
- Attic renovations: Open attic spaces can act like a chimney during a fire. Draft stopping breaks those spaces up for added protection.
- Basement finishing: If your basement ceiling cavity runs the length of your house, code usually requires draft stopping at certain intervals.
- Room additions: Anytime we tie into existing framing, it’s important to keep concealed cavities from becoming a fire highway.
Local building codes dictate where draft stopping is required, and inspectors check those spaces carefully to ensure it’s done right.
Common Draft Stopping Materials
- ½-inch gypsum board
- ⅜-inch plywood or OSB
- Mineral wool insulation
- Other approved fire-resistant materials
The key for each material is that it blocks air movement and meets fire-resistance requirements.
The Colorado Home Remodeling Approach
At Colorado Home Remodeling, we know homeowners don’t want surprises during inspections; or worse, vulnerabilities during an emergency. We make sure your remodeled space not only looks incredible but also meets every safety requirement, including those you may never see.
Draft stopping may not be flashy, but it’s one of those invisible safeguards that make your home safer. If you’re planning a remodel, contact Colorado Home Remodeling to discuss how we handle draft stopping. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
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