Wildfire smoke is on the rise across the U.S., with some studies suggesting a 27-fold increase in exposure over the past decade. And the threat isn’t limited to the West — according to the EPA, nearly 140 million Americans lived in counties that exceeded national air quality standards in 2023. While the future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: to protect our health, we must turn our homes and buildings into smoketight sanctuaries.
The term smoketight was coined by Bronwyn Barry, a Passive House architect in California who has experienced firsthand the devastating impact of wildfire smoke. It’s a simple yet powerful way to describe airtight building practices — not just for energy efficiency and comfort, but for protecting indoor air quality.
Creating a smoketight home starts with the building envelope. SOLITEX MENTO and ADHERO membranes, installed outboard of the sheathing, act as the weather-resistive barrier (WRB) and roof protection for the primary air barrier. These vapor-open membranes block smoke and water while allowing trapped moisture to safely diffuse outward — helping to prevent mold and rot.
Crucial air barrier connections — to windows, foundations, and roofs — must be carefully detailed to ensure continuous protection. These areas can be tricky, so check out our guides on foundation connections, roof connections, and airtight window installs for support. You can also give your local 475 representative a call to get the conversation started.
Controlled, Filtered Ventilation
Build tight, ventilate right. Once the building is sealed, it needs balanced mechanical ventilation. A Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) or Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) supplies filtered outdoor air while exhausting stale indoor air — recovering heat (and, in the case of ERVs, moisture) in the process. 475 offers ducted HRV/ERV systems from Brink, and ductless through-wall systems from LUNOS.
Smoketight eBook Coming Soon
We’re excited to share that 475.Supply is collaborating with Bronwyn Barry on a new entry in the Smart Enclosure series — one tailored for smoketight assemblies in fire-prone regions of the West. It combines climate-smart design with airtight, resilient assemblies that reflect the region’s common construction practices.
Follow us on social media or subscribe to our newsletter for updates on this upcoming resource — and more tools to help you build or retrofit for smoketight resilience.
