Termite Resistant Hardwood Flooring

They ve also been known to eat materials which don t have any trace of wood in them such as linoleum and laminate flooring.

Termite resistant hardwood flooring.

White oak and chestnut oak resist termites well. The heartwood of some woods is naturally resistant to termites. If termites find their way into your home you will soon see termite damage on laminate. Signs of their activity.

Termites are more likely to feed on soft woods than hardwoods. It doesn t matter if it is softwood or hardwood pine or oak. But it is the most dramatic scenario in very uncared cases and can occur when the houses are already uninhabited for many years but it describes the major principle of house decomposition beginning with the floor caused by termites. So let s explore the facts.

Chestnut oak lumber is less common but when available it s often sold as mixed white oak other naturally termite resistant wood species include. Termites and your hardwood floors hardwood flooring is a timeless feature of any home. Certain factors make wood even more desirable to termites. However any of these choices are highly preferred to woods that termites seem to enjoy most.

This is a fear that keeps some homeowners from choosing this highly durable and beautiful option for their flooring. Do hardwood floors make your home a target for termites. Subterranean termites will happily feed on any of the common woods used for structural lumber in homes. However if the infestation is untreated for several years the wood may become weak and give way under general use.

According to studies termites find southern yellow pine and spruce to be the most appealing woods to eat. Best methods of treatment and diy methods. Alaskan cedar is shown to be a little bit hardier against subterranean termites than redwood in a study performed by the university of hawaii. White oak is a common choice for flooring thanks in part to its wide availability.

However if you suspect you have a termite problem you might worry about the structural integrity of your floors. High moisture content softness the presence of fungus or decay and the absence of natural chemicals resins or oils that make wood resistant to decay and insects. Among these options teak is obviously the top choice for termite resistance. Your fear is well founded after all termites have an insatiable appetite for wood.

Eastern subterranean termites and their tunnels and. Redwood and alaskan cedar also known as pacific coast yellow cedar are two of the woods that have natural resistance to termites and decay. Termites will eat almost anything that contains wood. Laminate flooring is also known as floating wood tile.

Termites love to munch on all kinds of wood but they have to get inside. Hardwood floors may show evidence of termite damage although the damage often is not immediately visible to homeowners. Learn more about subterranean termites. Termites and hardwood floors.

Posted on june 25 2013 by admin.