Termites and Borers are big fans of Australian homes – and can carry out between $80 – $780 million worth of damage to houses annually! While termite barriers may delay termite invasions in some instances, using steel framing as opposed to timber framing completely eliminates any risk of structural termite damage.
Particularly in rural areas and urban fringes, termites can eat through everything from wood to carpet backing, cabinetry, furniture and doors – however when it comes to the structure and foundation of your home, a termite’s love of wood can be the most harmful.
There are a number of factors that will affect the termite damage risk to your home:
- Where your home is located
- How vigilant you are in inspecting and maintaining your home
- And how its foundations are constructed.
The cost of any termite damage is borne by home owners and very rarely covered by insurance – even during the building warranty period termite damage is only covered if the builder is seen to be negligent. And signs of termite damage are not always apparent – they lurk beneath surfaces undetected until it is too late.
Results of a recent study commissioned by the National Association of Steel-Framed Housing (NASH) and undertaken by the University of Western Sydney discovered 1 in 8 timber framed homes in the study had suffered termite damage, and not a single steel framed home was affected.
Whilst the traditional approach to termite control was to ‘seal them out’ with pesticides and treatments, Steel Framing innovation has re invented the way builders and home owners look at their home’s foundation. A home built from TRUECORE®steel is 100% termite proof, requires absolutely no pesticide or chemical treatment and has been tested time and time again for Australian standards.
What is TRUECORE®Steel?
TRUECORE® steel is a zinc/aluminium alloy coated steel manufactured by BlueScope Steel. It is characterised by a distinctive blue resin surface finish and is backed by a 50-year warranty. TRUECORE® steel is 100% termite and borer proof, it will not catch fire, it is consistently straight and true, wont shrink, twist or warp over time, and can often allow for greater design flexibility.
Does a Steel Frame need chemical or physical termite protection?
A steel frame is completely resistant to termite and borer attacks and therefore does not require any chemical or physical barriers in accordance with the Building Code of Australia.
When considering the foundation of your home, choosing TRUECORE®Steel ensures you have a foundation that is 100% termite and borer proof, without the use of pesticides. At Combined Metal Industries, we can assist you with your Steel Framing design and manufacturing, to guarantee you a beautifully finished home, that tastes horrible to termites.
