Staying Clear of Termites

Termites are a real problem in Australia, they often go undetected as they are concealed while they destroy timber from the inside out. When termites nest, they regularly form a number of nests, which can be up to a radius of 50-plus meters, a termite colony can also consist of over 2.5 Million individual termites! http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/termites

The University of Western Sydney found that within Australia, 12% of timber frame houses (approx. 1 in 9) suffered termite damage! Meanwhile, there were no incidents of termite damage on steel house frames. Study conducted by the University of Western Sydney and NASH: http://www.nash.asn.au/nash/files/2007Study%20of%20the%20attack%20rates%20by%20Termites%20 Report%20-NASH_1296089966.pdf

Did you know Home & Building Insurance policies in Australia generally DO NOT cover damage caused by termites? You should check insurance policy to see if you are covered. – You will probably find this is excluded under damage caused by animals or insects. History shows us too many cases of family homes being destroyed by termites. In fact, that’s why we started building steel house frames 18 years ago.

What if I have termites? The Victorian Building Authority has some information on dealing with termites on their website and encourages you to notify your local council and your neighbours. http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/consumers/termites

Preventing Termites:

The National Construction Code, provides two strategies for termite management:

• The use of termite resistant materials for the primary structural elements (like Steel Frames)
• The installation of a chemical or physical barrier system.

The National Construction Code of Australia (NCC) says that steel used as a primary building element i.e. structural component, is a termite resistant material and there are no mandatory termite treatments or inspections required by the NCC for the building.

Termites cannot eat Steel:

All houses are exposed to a level of risk of termites. There is the likelihood termites will enter your home and there are the consequences from their damage while they go undetected.

Reduce Likelihood: Build with Steel – Termites are not attracted to Steel.

Reduce Consequences: Build with Steel – Termites cannot eat Steel.

Take the first and most basic step towards minimising termite risk on your home – reduce the damage termites can inflict and build with Steel.

Myths Busted

Steel Frames are noisy: A correctly installed frame shouldn’t generate noise in a well built and insulated home.

Movement caused by changes in temperature is not an issue in a properly constructed and insulated home. The CSIRO conducted a properly structured study where they surveyed occupants of steel-framed dwellings. They found that “most occupants either reported no sound emitted from the frame, or if they did, said that it constituted no problem”. CSIRO (G A King, Dr. M Ridge and G S Walker – in Building Materials and Equipment, Vol 17 No.1

“thermally induced noise is no more likely with steel framing than homes with frames made from other building materials.” Truecore. 2017. Advantages of True Core Steel for Homeowners. Available at: https://truecore.com.au/homeowners.

Steel Increases the likelihood of electrocution: Steel frames are safe – they are earthed in accordance with Australian Standards

All new homes are required to be fitted with safety switches, also known as RCD (Residual Current Devices) or ELCB (Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers). These switches are designed to prevent death by accidental electrocution, by reducing the possibility of the occupants touching anything live. NCC Clause 3.4.22, Australian Standard AS 3000:2007 Wiring Rules

Light Gauge Steel isn’t strong: The steel is thin for rolling – however it is structurally stronger than timber once rolled and assembled.

TRUECORE Steel frames comply with Australian Standards and have a high strength to weight ratio. People have been building with steel frames successfully for years, and BlueScope even offers a 50 year warranty to eligible residential customers.