[Cob]Semi-OT steel/wood termites

[dirtcheapbuilder-Charmaine Taylor]

  ............
> Lance wrote:
>
> I do wonder why people in termite infested areas build their houses of 
> termite food and then have to use nasty chemicals to deter the 
> termites.


well MOST  regular people in the USA BUY homes already built - both new 
and used  and  the % of DIY  builders is quite small...hence this list 
and others like it on alt building.

everything has issues.  Steel does when combined with strawbale for 
instance... where wood  beams will hold 1 cup of water (est.- this is 
anecdotal from architect at SB International conference a few years 
ago)  during moisture season, steel will hold  NONE, so the water seeps 
into the straw quickly, and may cause rot, where the wood gave it a 
chance to  wick out slower...pros and cons on all sides.

Metal and lime plaster don't like each other much, metal may cause cob 
to pull away...  it sure won't stick, and  even papercrete folks say  
papercrete will pull away from metal rebar.

but steel has man good uses..it's all  in the details and planning.




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