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Jagvir Goyal
The biggest army in the world belongs not to India or Pakistan or any other country but to termites. And this army is just indomitable, works ceaselessly and attacks in such a hidden and systematic manner that unless one has a sharp eye, one can’t stop the “invasion”. That’s why most of the research in home products is regarding termite-proof materials. Have a look at two such new products that are available in the market:
Power plywood
Any product having cellulose content is prone to termite attack. That’s why wood and wood products are always under attack by termite. Commonly available plywood is produced by gluing together a number of veneers and then pressing them hard to convert into a single sheet. Veneers are very thin sheets or slices of timber which are highly prone to termite attack. To overcome this problem, non-cellulose termite proof plywood is now available.
Constituents: Termite-proof plywood is produced by using constituents other than wood. Its constituents are rice husk, calcium, poly vinyl chloride (PVC) and some additives. The most amazing part of termite-proof, non-wood plywood is that its feel, touch and colour match the commonly available plywood. Not only that, it even smells like veneer plywood.
Water-proof: Termite-proof plywood is water proof also. Normally used wooden plywood has three grades. These are BWP grade, BWR grade and MR grade. BWP means Boiling Water Proof grade, BWR means Boiling Water Resistant grade and MR means Moisture Resistant grade. Among these, BWP grade plywood is considered as the best of the three grades. However, termite proof plywood is 100 per cent water proof and thus has no such water-resistant grades.
Environment friendly & non-hazardous: In the commonly used plywood, it is very important to check the quality of resin. The resin or adhesive used in manufacture of plywood is either phenolic or amino-plastic type — both being hot pressed synthetic resins in which, formaldehyde is used. Termite-proof plywood uses only formaldehyde and VOC-free resins and is, thus, non-hazardous for humans.
Colour and usefulness: Termite proof and water proof plywood is produced in many colours. In addition to wooden colours, many other colours are also available. This plywood can easily be used for cupboards, modular kitchen, furniture making, bathroom vanities and wall panels.
Thickness: Termite-proof plyboards are produced in many thicknesses. Thicknesses available are 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 12 mm, 16 mm, 18 mm, 25 mm, 30 mm, 35 mm and 40 mm. Plyboards are supplied in standard size of 4 feet x 8 feet. A big advantage of it is that the thickness is certified as 100 per cent uniform.
Secure Door frames
It is a well known fact that termite always attacks the door frames first. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on the feet of door frames that are anchored into the floors and attract termite. To overcome this problem, now termite-proof door frames have been made available by the manufacturers.
Advantages: While selecting readymade door frames, the most important aspects to be checked are right size of door frame, zero warping in door frame. Warping is absent in termite proof door frames and door frames of any customised sizes can be produced.
Door frame section: Door frame sections are available in 70x40 mm, 100x50 mm, 125x50 mm, 150x50 mm, 100x60 mm, 125x60 mm and 150x60 mm. Thus, all popular sections for single and double rebate doors are available.
Cost factor: Rate of door frame sections is highly reasonable. While 70x40 mm section is available at about Rs 100 per running foot, cost of 150x60 mm section is about Rs 330. Manufacturers are now also producing one and two-side laminated door shutters of same materials to match the door frames.