Termites against Steel
Termite infestations are a serious problem for many people. Almost every household is vulnerable to termites in some manner. The chance that termites will gain access to your house and the amount of damage they can do before being detected and eliminated are the two things that determine how dangerous a situation it is.
The first and most basic step toward reducing the risk you face from termite infestation is to set a firm limit on the amount of damage they may do.
Termites are attracted to homes by the presence of food, water and warmth. They are generally more likely to come indoors if there is a lot of food in your yard or an abundance of free shelter in the form of trees or shrubs that may serve as hosts for termite infestations. The number of termite attacks has risen dramatically worldwide with the likelihood that termites will enter your home varying with factors such as region, construction type, materials used, expertise of the builder and your vigilance.
Conventional termite barriers fall short for a number of reasons, and there is evidence that this is becoming more common. It’s typically only a matter of time before it happens. If you build or buy a home with an untreated termite-susceptible frame made of wood, your level of risk will be significant since termites could easily eat their way through the lumber and compromise the structural integrity of your home.
Steel framing, in contrast, is a natural termite deterrent. Termites are not able to consume or nest in steel and they quickly die if they attempt to do so. Steel framing also doesn’t shrink, swell or warp like wood, so it doesn’t create enticing hiding places for termites the way wood framing can.
Cost of rebuilding
The first indication of a termite infestation is typically in the home, with things like doorframes or skirting boards being affected. It’s too late by then, since the non-resistant frame has already been penetrated. Termites have effectively destroyed your house because the frame supports it, as they tend to do after they’ve had their way with it.
The cost of restoring or rebuilding could be a financial catastrophe if the building is condemned or expensive, time-consuming, and inconvenient repair work is required. Take this danger out of the equation. The expense of repairing or rebuilding may be an economic catastrophe.
Finally, remember that termites are not the only creatures that can cause damage to wood. Borers and fungal rot fungi are far more harmful than most people realize, and barriers can’t keep them out.
What can you do?
The Building Code of Australia does not require the use of any additional termite protection for a steel-frame house. Depending on factors such as the local environment, architectural style (for example, one with an elevated sub-floor system of steel), and personal circumstances, you may decide that no barrier is necessary because your frame will be safe and potential damage will be minor. You might consider this alternative to be a “acceptable risk.”
Owners however have two very low-risk options available to them:
1. A steel-framed house, with non-structural components of termite-resistant materials. In this case no barrier is necessary.
2. A steel-framed house, plus a termite management system that conforms at least to the minimum requirements of the relevant Australian Standards (AS 3660 series).
Traditionally, builders have been carpenters. The majority of them have received training as carpenters and like working with timber since they are used to it. Also, because some state government agencies advocate the “whole of house protection” concept, many will not construct a steel-framed home without a termite barrier due to the risk of termites damaging non-structural components of the structure.
Builders have been told that if this happens, they will be held responsible for fixing such damage. As a result, many people believe that if they have to install a steel frame barrier anyhow, there’s no need to build with steel. Some will even try to persuade you away from using a steel frame while others won’t bother trying it at all.
Complete Frame & Truss, in line with the Australian Standard (AS 3660 series), strongly recommends regular competent inspections of buildings for any signs of termites. Termite barriers don’t deter termites. They drive their earth leads into the light, where they may be seen. Steel frames do not attract termites, but some species will not be deterred. There is no such thing as a magic bullet when it comes to termite protection.
We believe that the cost of inspection for termites should be lower for steel-framed dwellings than for timber framed dwellings. This is because the frame is generally inaccessible but being inaccessible doesn’t matter if the frame is built of steel. Keep in mind that pest inspectors are not liable for the condition of concealed members since doing so is so difficult.
For more information see visit the National Association of Steel Framed Housing or contact us today!