When it comes to termite prevention, building a house with termite resistant wood is a great way to stop termites from infesting your home. If you’re like most homeowners, however, you probably purchased a house that was already constructed. You can’t rebuild your home, but you can make sure that wood structures on your property, such as porches, decks, flower beds and wooden sheds are constructed using timber that is resistant to termites. Homeowners have a few options when it comes to termite resistant wood, including treated wood, naturally resistant wood, and plastic composites. Below is a brief discussion of each.
Treated Wood
Using unprotected wood to build structures outdoors creates a feasting ground for termites. For maximum termite prevention, therefore, it is a good idea to construct these structures using chemically treated wood. This type of lumber is pressure-treated with a chemical preservative that soaks deep into the pores of the timber, forming an effective chemical barrier against insects and natural decay. The two most common types of treated lumber are Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ) and Copper Boron Azole (CBA).
Naturally Resistant Wood
If you’re concerned about using wood that has been treated with chemicals, there are some types of wood that are naturally resistant to termites and other insects. These include cedar, cypress and redwood, to name just a few. The termite resistant properties of natural wood, however, simply won’t last as long as chemically treated lumber.
Plastic Composites
Many homeowners today are opting for a composite material made up of recycled plastic and wood fiber. In addition to termite prevention, plastic composite lumber offers many benefits to homeowners. This insect resistant option requires zero maintenance, doesn’t need to be sealed, and will not rot or warp for decades. And the best part? Plastic composite lumber is absolutely impervious to termite infestations.
Using termite resistant lumber to build wooden structures on your property is a great termite prevention strategy. Whether you’re building a porch, deck, fence, storage shed, or garden planter, it is a good idea to consider using chemically treated, naturally resistant or plastic composite lumber. For more information about termite resistant wood, or to receive a FREE termite inspection from the specialists at ACTION Termite Control, call (877) 556-4131 today.
