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2025 Canada Guide: Top 5 Fire-Resistant Stall Materials & Barriers — Code-Tested, Evidence-Based Choices for Safer Barns (NUDURA ICFVL, HardiePlank, ROXUL Safe'n'Sound, Metl-Span CF Mesa, CertainTeed GlasRoc)

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

This category covers fire retardant and noncombustible construction materials for stalls, partitions and barn finishes across Canada in 2025. It focuses on practical, code-conscious solutions — from treated-timber alternatives and fiber cement to insulated metal panels and metal mesh barriers — that improve compartmentalization, reduce ignition risk and simplify compliance with current building codes. Canadian consumers, designers and farm owners favor these materials for their combination of measurable fire performance, lower insurance exposure, durability in varied climates, and reduced maintenance compared with untreated wood. Priorities in the market include verified test ratings (ULC, CAN/ULC, ASTM), ease of retrofit, compatibility with ignition-resistant coatings and the ability to limit flame spread and smoke generation in equine and livestock facilities.

Quick Menu

1. Best Structural Barrier

2. Best Cladding Barrier

3. Best Acoustic Barrier

4. Best Insulated Metal Barrier

5. Best Sheathing Barrier

1
BEST STRUCTURAL BARRIER

NUDURA ICFVL Fire-Rated Wall Forms

NUDURA
🏠 Local Product

NUDURA ICFVL Fire-Rated Wall Forms combine insulated concrete form (ICF) construction with tested fire-rated assemblies, making them a top choice when a monolithic, structural fire barrier is required in stall and enclosure applications. Compared with claddings and batt systems on this list, NUDURA provides superior intact-fire performance and thermal mass that can reduce long‑term energy and repair costs, though it carries higher upfront material and pour costs than simpler sheathing or insulation solutions.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • High fire-rating

  • Superior thermal mass

  • High fire-rating

  • Superior thermal mass

Review Summary

88%

"Users praise NUDURA ICFVL for its strong fire-rating, excellent thermal performance and solid structural results, often noting faster builds and reduced air leakage; common complaints are higher material cost and a steeper installer learning curve."

  • Interlocks like blocks

  • Insulated concrete form system that creates continuous reinforced wall cores for high fire integrity.

  • Interlocks like blocks

  • Insulated concrete form system that creates continuous reinforced wall cores for high fire integrity.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Eco-Friendly Living

NUDURA ICFVL Fire-Rated Wall Forms combine insulated concrete form (ICF) construction with tested fire-rated assemblies, making them a top choice when a monolithic, structural fire barrier is required in stall and enclosure applications. Compared with claddings and batt systems on this list, NUDURA provides superior intact-fire performance and thermal mass that can reduce long‑term energy and repair costs, though it carries higher upfront material and pour costs than simpler sheathing or insulation solutions.

  • High fire-rating

  • Superior thermal mass

  • Interlocks like blocks

  • Insulated concrete form system that creates continuous reinforced wall cores for high fire integrity.

  • EPS form with poured concrete achieves tested fire-rated wall assemblies when built per listings.

  • High fire-rating

  • Superior thermal mass

  • Interlocks like blocks

  • Insulated concrete form system that creates continuous reinforced wall cores for high fire integrity.

  • EPS form with poured concrete achieves tested fire-rated wall assemblies when built per listings.

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$300-600 CAD

2
BEST CLADDING BARRIER

HardiePlank Fiber Cement Siding

PacTool International

HardiePlank fiber cement siding offers a non-combustible exterior surfacing that balances fire resistance, aesthetics, and cost for stall partitions and exterior barrier systems. It is generally more economical and visually flexible than insulated metal panels while providing better exterior fire performance than combustible claddings; however, it does not replace structural or cavity fire barriers like ICFs or specialized fire sheathing in full rated wall assemblies.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Non-combustible cladding

  • Low maintenance

  • Non-combustible cladding

  • Low maintenance

Review Summary

92%

"Homeowners and contractors consistently praise HardiePlank for exceptional fire resistance, long-term durability and realistic wood-like appearance with low maintenance; typical drawbacks are higher material cost and heavier panels that increase installation effort."

  • Wood-look charm

  • Fiber cement siding composed of cement, sand and cellulose fibers offering non-combustible exterior cladding.

  • Wood-look charm

  • Fiber cement siding composed of cement, sand and cellulose fibers offering non-combustible exterior cladding.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

HardiePlank fiber cement siding offers a non-combustible exterior surfacing that balances fire resistance, aesthetics, and cost for stall partitions and exterior barrier systems. It is generally more economical and visually flexible than insulated metal panels while providing better exterior fire performance than combustible claddings; however, it does not replace structural or cavity fire barriers like ICFs or specialized fire sheathing in full rated wall assemblies.

  • Non-combustible cladding

  • Low maintenance

  • Wood-look charm

  • Fiber cement siding composed of cement, sand and cellulose fibers offering non-combustible exterior cladding.

  • Durable, weather-resistant boards with factory finishes that resist flame spread and heat damage.

  • Non-combustible cladding

  • Low maintenance

  • Wood-look charm

  • Fiber cement siding composed of cement, sand and cellulose fibers offering non-combustible exterior cladding.

  • Durable, weather-resistant boards with factory finishes that resist flame spread and heat damage.

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From 108.33$
3
BEST ACOUSTIC BARRIER

ROXUL Safe'n'Sound Fire-Resistant Insulation Batts

ROCKWOOL (formerly Roxul)

Safe'n'Sound mineral wool insulation batts are designed for cavity-fill fire and sound control, delivering high-temperature stability and excellent fire-stopping capability where interior stall partitions and service cavities need protection. Technically superior to fiberglass for sustained fire exposure and much more cost-effective for retrofit or partition work than full-panel or concrete solutions, Safe'n'Sound pairs well with Type X sheathing or HardiePlank to create complete rated assemblies.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • Sound-dampening

  • Non-combustible mineral

  • Sound-dampening

  • Non-combustible mineral

Review Summary

87%

"Installers and DIYers report ROXUL Safe'n'Sound provides excellent fire resistance and sound control, with easy fitting and good moisture tolerance; some users say it is pricier than fiberglass and can be itchy to handle without protection."

  • Quiet as library

  • Mineral wool batts that are non-combustible and maintain structure at elevated temperatures.

  • Quiet as library

  • Mineral wool batts that are non-combustible and maintain structure at elevated temperatures.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Eco-Friendly Living

Safe'n'Sound mineral wool insulation batts are designed for cavity-fill fire and sound control, delivering high-temperature stability and excellent fire-stopping capability where interior stall partitions and service cavities need protection. Technically superior to fiberglass for sustained fire exposure and much more cost-effective for retrofit or partition work than full-panel or concrete solutions, Safe'n'Sound pairs well with Type X sheathing or HardiePlank to create complete rated assemblies.

  • Sound-dampening

  • Non-combustible mineral

  • Quiet as library

  • Mineral wool batts that are non-combustible and maintain structure at elevated temperatures.

  • High sound absorption and cavity fill make it suited for stall partitions requiring both acoustic and fire performance.

  • Sound-dampening

  • Non-combustible mineral

  • Quiet as library

  • Mineral wool batts that are non-combustible and maintain structure at elevated temperatures.

  • High sound absorption and cavity fill make it suited for stall partitions requiring both acoustic and fire performance.

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$50-150 CAD

4
BEST INSULATED METAL BARRIER

Metl-Span CF Mesa Insulated Metal Panels

Metl-Span

Metl-Span CF Mesa insulated metal panels provide a factory-engineered, continuous insulated barrier that accelerates installation while offering tested fire-rated panel options for stall walls and exterior enclosures. Compared with masonry or ICF, these panels reduce construction time and labor costs and deliver high R-value per inch; they trade some mass and inherent robustness for speed, lower structural weight, and predictable manufactured fire-performance when specified with non-combustible cores.

4.2
★★★★☆
  • Factory-insulated

  • High fire-resistance

  • Factory-insulated

  • High fire-resistance

Review Summary

85%

"Commercial customers rate Metl-Span CF Mesa panels highly for rigid insulation, good fire performance and rapid enclosure of large projects, while downsides include higher upfront cost, occasional long lead times and the need for experienced installers."

  • Snap-fit speed

  • Factory-built insulated metal panels combining metal skins and a tested core to provide thermal insulation and fire-rated assemblies when specified appropriately.

  • Snap-fit speed

  • Factory-built insulated metal panels combining metal skins and a tested core to provide thermal insulation and fire-rated assemblies when specified appropriately.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Metl-Span CF Mesa insulated metal panels provide a factory-engineered, continuous insulated barrier that accelerates installation while offering tested fire-rated panel options for stall walls and exterior enclosures. Compared with masonry or ICF, these panels reduce construction time and labor costs and deliver high R-value per inch; they trade some mass and inherent robustness for speed, lower structural weight, and predictable manufactured fire-performance when specified with non-combustible cores.

  • Factory-insulated

  • High fire-resistance

  • Snap-fit speed

  • Factory-built insulated metal panels combining metal skins and a tested core to provide thermal insulation and fire-rated assemblies when specified appropriately.

  • Long-span, rigid panels enable rapid installation of insulated barriers and stall walls for commercial applications.

  • Factory-insulated

  • High fire-resistance

  • Snap-fit speed

  • Factory-built insulated metal panels combining metal skins and a tested core to provide thermal insulation and fire-rated assemblies when specified appropriately.

  • Long-span, rigid panels enable rapid installation of insulated barriers and stall walls for commercial applications.

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$500-1500 CAD

5
BEST SHEATHING BARRIER

CertainTeed GlasRoc Type X Fire-Rated Sheathing

CertainTeed

GlasRoc Type X fire-rated sheathing is a gypsum-glass-mat product engineered to provide reliable fire resistance in wall and stall assemblies and to meet code-driven interior and exterior fire separation needs. It is a cost-effective, lightweight alternative to concrete or heavy panels for establishing rated partitions, and when combined with mineral wool or other cavity insulation it forms economical, code-friendly assemblies that rival pricier system-level solutions in many commercial stall applications.

4.1
★★★★☆
  • Type X gypsum

  • Code-compliant

  • Type X gypsum

  • Code-compliant

Review Summary

83%

"Contractors appreciate CertainTeed GlasRoc Type X for dependable Type X fire-rated sheathing and improved moisture resistance over standard gypsum; criticisms focus on higher cost and extra care needed at joints and trim details."

  • Thin but mighty

  • Glass-mat gypsum Type X sheathing formulated for fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies.

  • Thin but mighty

  • Glass-mat gypsum Type X sheathing formulated for fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

GlasRoc Type X fire-rated sheathing is a gypsum-glass-mat product engineered to provide reliable fire resistance in wall and stall assemblies and to meet code-driven interior and exterior fire separation needs. It is a cost-effective, lightweight alternative to concrete or heavy panels for establishing rated partitions, and when combined with mineral wool or other cavity insulation it forms economical, code-friendly assemblies that rival pricier system-level solutions in many commercial stall applications.

  • Type X gypsum

  • Code-compliant

  • Thin but mighty

  • Glass-mat gypsum Type X sheathing formulated for fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies.

  • Available in common thicknesses to achieve 1- and 2-hour fire-resistance ratings when installed per design.

  • Type X gypsum

  • Code-compliant

  • Thin but mighty

  • Glass-mat gypsum Type X sheathing formulated for fire-rated wall and ceiling assemblies.

  • Available in common thicknesses to achieve 1- and 2-hour fire-resistance ratings when installed per design.

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$30-70 CAD

What Research and Tests Show About Fire-Resistant Stall Materials

Lab and field research consistently shows that noncombustible materials and fire-rated assemblies reduce flame spread, slow structural failure, and improve occupant and asset survivability. Fire resistance is evaluated with standard tests (for example CAN/ULC-S101 for fire endurance, CAN/ULC-S102 for surface burning characteristics, and ASTM E119 equivalents), and many product families used in Canadian stalls achieve measurable ratings that help with code compliance and insurance underwriting. Studies and test programs also highlight the importance of whole-assembly performance — for example, how insulation, sheathing and connections behave together under fire conditions — and demonstrate that compartmentalization and properly detailed barriers often reduce loss more than single-component upgrades.

ICF and concrete systems increase compartmentalization and typically achieve multi-hour fire-resistance ratings in CAN/ULC-S101 tests.

Fiber cement siding (HardiePlank) is noncombustible by material classification and performs well in surface burning tests (CAN/ULC-S102), reducing exterior ignition risk from embers.

Mineral wool insulation (ROXUL Safe'n'Sound) is noncombustible, does not contribute fuel to a fire, and retains insulating properties after exposure to high temperatures in controlled tests.

Insulated metal panels (Metl-Span CF Mesa) demonstrate low combustibility and high thermal resistance; full-panel testing evaluates joint detailing and through-panel penetrations that affect real-world performance.

Type X gypsum and glass-mat sheathing (CertainTeed GlasRoc Type X) are designed for improved fire endurance in assemblies, and provide predictable degradation patterns that designers can account for in compartmentalization strategies.

Research and insurance loss analyses emphasize system-level solutions (compartmentation, ignition-resistant coatings and smoke control) over piecemeal material changes for meaningful risk reduction.

In Canada, the right mix of materials depends on your building type, occupancy and local code requirements. This page highlights five leading options: NUDURA ICFVL Fire-Rated Wall Forms, HardiePlank Fiber Cement Siding, ROXUL Safe'n'Sound Fire-Resistant Insulation Batts, Metl-Span CF Mesa Insulated Metal Panels, and CertainTeed GlasRoc Type X Fire-Rated Sheathing. For most stall and barn applications where compartmentalization and multi-hour protection are priorities, NUDURA ICFVL Fire-Rated Wall Forms offer the most comprehensive balance of fire endurance and structural performance, though exterior ember-resistance and retrofit simplicity may favor HardiePlank or Metl-Span in other scenarios. I hope you found the information you were looking for; refine or expand your search at any time to compare standards, assembly details or installer options.

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