5 Ways to Bushfire-Proof Your Home This Summer

Hot northerlies, crunchy lawns, and that dry, metallic smell in the air—classic Aussie summer. If you live on the urban fringe or back onto reserves, you don’t have to be in the bush to face bushfire risk. One of the simplest upgrades is to add bushfire-rated security doors that double as ember shields—then build out from there with smart maintenance and compliant materials. Below are five practical steps that actually move the dial.

1) Seal the “small stuff” first: Ember entry points

In most suburban losses, it’s ember attack—not a wall of flames—that starts the fire. Embers ride the wind and slip through gaps, igniting curtains, door mats, or roof dust.
Do a one-hour “ember audit”:

• Doors: fit tight seals at the sill and jambs; avoid warped door slabs that leave daylight.
• Windows: install metal mesh screens; check winder seals and key locks close firmly.
• Vents & weepholes: cover with compliant metal mesh; avoid plastics that can deform.
• Garage: seal the door perimeter; keep combustibles off the floor near the threshold.

I learnt this lesson after a grass fire two streets over in Ryde. We found ash on the inside sill of a back laundry door. The culprit? A 6 mm gap under the door and a tired weather seal. A $20 replacement strip beat a thousand-dollar cleanup.

2) Choose doors and screens that do more than “keep bugs out”

Not all screens are equal. Flyscreens are for mozzies. Security-grade units offer rigid frames, high-tensile mesh, deep-set locking furniture, and proper fixings—and some configurations also resist ember ingress far better than flimsy insect screens.
When comparing:

• Frame & fixings: look for robust, corrosion-resistant construction.
• Mesh: stainless or aluminium mesh in a security-grade system; fine apertures help block embers.
• Locks & hinges: three-point locks and security hinges improve resistance to blow-in.
• Fit & seal: continuous beading and tight tolerances reduce ember pathways.

For standards and building-safety context, see the NSW guidance on building in bush fire areas and related compliance for a security screen door—handy when you’re weighing mesh, frames and installation details.

3) Manage fuel right up to the threshold

Think like an ember: where would you land and smoulder?

• Doormats: swap coir for non-combustible options or move mats indoors during high-risk days.
• Outdoor furniture: metal over timber; store cushions inside on Total Fire Ban days.
• Leaf litter: clear leaves from thresholds, sliding door tracks, and along cladding lines.
• Timber stacks & pot plants: relocate at least a few metres from doors and windows; avoid mulch right up to the slab edge.

These sound minor until you’ve watched a jute mat glow like a slow cigar. I’ve witnessed a deck saved because the owner had swapped to a rubber scraper mat the week before a spot-fire event.

4) Tidy the roof-to-ground ember ladder

Embers drift up, down, and sideways. Break their ladder.

• Roof & gutters: clean thoroughly; consider ember guards that meet relevant standards.
• Downpipes: install metal leaf diverters and ensure water can drain freely.
• Eaves & soffits: seal gaps; fit metal mesh to vents.
• Fences & garden beds: avoid continuous timber lines leading to doors; choose non-combustible edging.

If you’re planning a bigger renovation, ask your designer about your site’s Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) and how doors, windows and cladding choices integrate. Door systems with fine metal mesh, strong frames and complete perimeter sealing can help meet stricter exposure conditions—and they’re useful year-round for security and ventilation.

5) Plan for “stay or go” with a simple, realistic checklist

Preparation beats panic. Even with better doors and ember protection, you still need a plan.

• People & pets: who’s leaving early and where to? Pet carriers ready?
• Power & water: hose lengths set; know where your mains shut-offs are.
• Close-up routine: shut windows, latch doors, engage security door locks for pressure resistance, and remove mats/cushions.
• Communications: charge phones, save emergency apps, and know your local alerts.

Run a 10-minute drill at the start of summer. It feels over the top—until the day the wind swings hot and fast.

Security screens vs. flyscreens (know the difference before you buy)

A simple line that saves money: security-grade screens are a structural product; flyscreens are for insects. If you want airflow during risky days without inviting embers or forced entry, security-grade screens at key doors are the upgrade that punches far above their cost.
For context, you can interlink later on the host site. Keep this slot: fly screen door. And for a neutral overview of screen types and maintenance, reserve: security screens.

Installation tips that make the system actually work

• Site measure matters: sloppy tolerances create ember gaps. Get a proper measure, not “close enough”.
• Door swing & airflow: position for cross-ventilation while maintaining lock engagement during hot, windy days.
• Hardware quality: choose corrosion-resistant locks and hinges; salt air punishes cheap gear.
• Professional fitting: screws, rivets and beading belong in the right places; DIY shortcuts create weak points.

A competent installer will talk through frame anchoring, seal compression, and how your door integrates with existing thresholds. If they don’t, keep shopping.

Budgeting and sequencing (so you don’t buy twice)

• Prioritise openings: start with front, laundry and living sliders—highest ember traffic and access exposure.
• Stage works: do perimeter sealing, screens, and roof cleaning in one block; paint and landscaping can follow.
• Think year-round value: security-grade screens give you ventilation + daytime privacy + burglary resistance—not just summer resilience.

Quick pre-season checklist (print this)

• Replace worn door seals and window weather strips.
• Clear gutters, downpipes, and door thresholds.
• Move combustible items away from openings.
• Close gaps in eaves, weepholes, and vents with metal mesh.
• Upgrade key doors to security-grade screens with tight seals.
• Pack a “leave early” bag and set alert subscriptions.

Bringing it home

You don’t need to rebuild the house to reduce risk. Start with Ember Pathways, then upgrade the openings you use every day. Quality security screen doors turn your threshold from a weak point into a shield—without losing airflow on scorching nights. For broader compliance context and bushfire-area guidance, check NSW’s information on building in bushfire areas here: security screen door.