"Andy Hall" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 14:44:19 +0100, "IMM" wrote:


"Andy Hall" wrote in message
.. .
On Thu, 16 Sep 2004 13:57:06 +0100, "IMM" wrote:


"Andy Hall" wrote in message

I notice that as usual, you didn't mention any of the disadvantages
of
these materials such as the effects of insect and rodent
infestation.

On SIPs? Please give examples. It is best you stop making things up.


I never do that.

www.huduser.org/publications/wpd/finalrpt.wp5

"One potential disadvantage is that foam core panels are susceptible
to tunneling by termites, carpenter ants, and rodents that can destroy
the structural integrity of the assembly. This is especially
troublesome because the tunnels are difficult to detect. Where
termites pose a threat, standard preventive measures should be used
such as soil treatment or termite shields. At least one panel
manufacturer has incorporated borate into their expanded polystyrene
core as an insect repellent, but the effectiveness is not
well-documented to date. Apparently other foam materials are not as
receptive to treatment. "

You missed this
"one panel manufacturer has incorporated borate into their expanded
polystyrene core as an insect repellent"

We also do not have termites like the
USA does. Infestation of these panels
is not a problem in the UK.

We certainly have rodents, and we
certainly have the potential for rot
and the various weevils and other
creatures who love to follow it.

These creatures would attack any wood. Timber farmed houses in the UK are
common with many being around for 500 years or more. The oldest is from the
11th century.

It is impossible to say what the
long term implications of these are
in the UK environment because there
is too little history and too
small an installed base.

Total nonsense. The USA & Canada has a large install base with many of the
panels in climates colder and wetter than the UK. We also do not have the
boring insects as north America does, and they have few problems with SIPs.

People fail to mention concrete cancer, which is more common that what
people think in UK in houses. Far more common than timber homes failing.