‘The Houzz Guest’: How to Build a More Wildfire-Resilient Home

In this episode of The Houzz Guest, host Dorcas Adewole sits down with third-generation builder and real estate developer Matt Panella to discuss how natural disasters are changing the way homes are built. Drawing on his family’s decades of building experience in Central California, Panella, who uses Houzz Pro, shares practical ways to help protect homes from wildfires, highlighting smart upgrades like ember-resistant vents and flame-retardant siding. He also offers advice on vetting contractors, spotting red flags and keeping remodeling projects on track. To wrap up the episode, Panella tackles real-world remodeling questions in a rapid-fire Design Dilemmas segment, covering topics including structural insulated panels, or SIPs, and deck repairs.

Watch or listen to this episode on Houzz, YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. New episodes drop every Tuesday.