According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, termite infestations impact more than 600,000 homes each year in the United States, causing approximately $5 billion in damage and repairs for homeowners. For a single homeowner, a termite infestation can cost thousands of dollars in damage to a home.
Earlier this year, Builder Magazine published an article that highlighted the top towns for termites, based on research from insect exterminator Terminix. Here are the cities that reported the most cases of termite infestation in 2016:
It’s not surprising that there are higher levels of termite activity in the southern United States. Cities where the weather is damp and humid have a perfect environment for a termite colony.
If you are a homebuilder in one of these termite-prone areas, your business may benefit from building with materials that are engineered to resist termites. Your customers will have peace of mind knowing their home will be less susceptible to termite damage. To help protect your customers’ homes and strengthen your building reputation, consider using LP® SolidGuard® LSL and LP® SmartSide® exterior trim and siding. Both products are engineered and treated to the core with zinc borate to effectively resist damage from termites. Zinc borate is a naturally derived additive that has been proven to work for decades.
Additional benefits of these products include:
Sustainability Solutions
8 minIn our pursuit of sustainable and environmentally friendly products, we completed five LCAs and EPDs for our LP® Structural Solutions portfolio. Along with LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding, these EPDs demonstrate the carbon negativity of our products. That means that our products store more carbon than is released during their entire life cycle, making us a meaningful part of the climate solution.
Continue ReadingSustainability Solutions
6 minIn an era where environmental responsibility is paramount, we are proud to announce a remarkable achievement: the LP® Structural Solutions portfolio has been officially designated as carbon negative. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to redefining construction materials for the better with a focus on sustainability, resiliency and groundbreaking advancements.
It’s no secret that many developers, architects and builders are reducing lot size as one way to hold down housing costs and maintain profitability. In fact, the rise of zero-lot-line homes, odd-lot/infill development and compressed parcel spacing is helping shape a new housing normal for many communities. This downsizing is focusing attention on minimum fire separation distance.
Resiliency Solutions
6 minTo increase consideration for building more resilient homes, LP Building Solutions is partnering with the First Street Foundation®, a coalition working to help builders assess and protect against environmental threats from fire, extreme heat, flooding and wind.