Beyond Beauty: Fire Hardening and Painting in the Boulder Foothills

 

For those of us who live in Boulder County, the memory of the Marshall Fire is a profound and sobering reminder of our relationship with the landscape. It fundamentally shifted the conversation from “if” to “when,” especially for homeowners nestled in the beautiful Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)—the area where development meets natural land.

This new reality is leading many homeowners to take a proactive approach to protecting their properties. We recently had the honor of working with one such homeowner, Kevin Lambert, on a project that went far beyond a simple repaint. It was a mission to restore, beautify, and harden his historic home against the threat of wildfire.

A Project Sparked by Awareness

Kevin lives in a beautiful 1917 home, and it had been about 14 years since its last paint job. But this project wasn’t just about aesthetics. “The Marshall fires woke everybody up,” Kevin shared.

With a background in natural hazard risk modeling from his career at the National Park Service, Kevin was uniquely equipped to understand the risks. This expertise led him to a resource he believes isn’t well known enough: the Boulder Fire Rescue’s Wildfire Detailed Home Assessment (DHA). This free service provides homeowners with an incredible, in-depth evaluation of their property’s specific vulnerabilities to wildfire.

Armed with the assessment’s recommendations, Kevin’s plan evolved. “This project turned into a full on, ‘Alright, let’s get everything fire-hardened and restored to full quality,’” he explained.

When Meticulous Prep Becomes a Line of Defense

This is where our work at Maurer Painting took on a deeper meaning. Our well-known obsession with preparation—the meticulous sealing, caulking, and smoothing—is crucial for a high-end finish. But in a fire-hardening project, that same attention to detail is also a critical line of defense, helping to seal the small gaps and cracks where embers could potentially infiltrate a home.

When our crew arrived on day one, our process made an immediate impact on Kevin.

> “Wow! Maurer’s level of prep and attention to detail, it went way past my expectations,” he said.

This level of thoroughness ensures that the high-quality paint and materials we use can do their job to the fullest, providing a durable and resilient barrier for the home’s exterior.

The Result: Falling in Love with Home Again

A fire-hardening project sounds purely functional, but the aesthetic result was anything but. A flawless prep job is the foundation for a stunning finish. As Kevin noted, the meticulous work “just makes the colors and contrasts pop all the better.”

By the time we were finished, the 1917 home was not only more resilient but also breathtakingly beautiful. The project was a complete success, providing both peace of mind and a stunning visual transformation.

“All in all, this was a super cool project worth every penny. Just beautiful,” Kevin said. “We fell in love with our home again, like when we moved here 14 years ago.”

That is the ultimate reward: helping a family feel safe, secure, and once again completely in love with their home.

Are You Ready to Protect and Beautify Your Home?

If you live in the WUI or are simply looking to take proactive steps to protect your property, we encourage you to look into Boulder’s free Detailed Home Assessment (DHA). And when you’re ready to combine that essential work with a beautiful, high-quality finish, we’re here to help.

Let’s talk possibilities. Give us a call at 303-443-0454 or email Bailey at Bailey@MaurerPainting.com.

About Bailey

Bailey Hungerford is the owner of Maurer Painting, where he applies his background in precision project management from high-stakes industries like aerospace and healthcare to the art of high-end painting. He is dedicated to combining master craftsmanship with a modern, seamless client experience. Click here to read the full bio.