Are Metal Buildings Safe From Termite Damage?
Due to their longevity, metal buildings can shield you from the effects of numerous damaging natural disasters, like hurricanes, fires and more.
Unexpectedly, termites and dry rot, which steadily eat away at your structural basis, are the most destructive destroyers to a building.
But can metal constructions protect you against the pesky masters of destruction, termites?
Let’s answer that question.
What Do Termites Actually Eat?
Termites are detritivores, which means they prefer to eat cellulose, one of the most prevalent organic molecules in nature.
They actually prefer cellulose to wood, but love both. 
Plants and a sizable component of building materials are made of cellulose. Termites are plant-based organisms that feed on plant-based materials including cotton, paper, and wood.
Due to the composition of the bacteria in their digestive systems, wood-eating insects have the special capacity to digest the toughest cellulose fibers that other animals cannot.
For most living creatures, a piece of wood is inedible, but termites find it to be a remarkably nutrient-rich snack.
How Much Damage Can Termites Cause?
The short answer?
A LOT.
Each year, termites decimate some 600,000 residential buildings in the United States alone.
An estimated $5 billion is spent each year by homeowners and landlords on termite control and damage repair.
Repairs and preventative costs for Formosan termites alone amount to at least $1 billion annually.
Once their existence is discovered, termite damage restoration prices typically range between $3,000 and $5,000.
Even though it happens infrequently, there are times when a house needs to be torn down because of serious termite damage.
You might be surprised to learn that termites harm property more than fire, water, and storms combined.
Even worse, very little termite-related maintenance or damage is normally covered by insurance.
Insurance companies contend that regular home care can avoid termite infestations and that building owners should take the initiative to prevent termites, giving citizens limited options for protecting a structure or home against possible termite damage.
So, Can Termites Damage a Metal Building?
The short answer?
No, but with a disclaimer.
Metal is the preferred building material to avoid termite damage.
Due to their inorganic makeup, metal roofing, siding, paneling, and framing are all resistant to termite harm. Termites cannot consume the majority of metal types used in metal building construction because they have undergone extensive processing.
That’s the good news.
However, despite being protected against termite attack by structural supports, panels, and siding, termites can nonetheless infest and harm organic insulation and other internal parts.
Therefore, it is crucial to choose termite-resistant versions of insulation and other building materials for this purpose.
Some of these materials come in the form of inorganic foam insulation and insulation that has been treated to repel termites.
Consult your local steel building company for more information on insulation.
Consider using metal construction for your upcoming residential or commercial building project if for no other reason than the resistance to pest damage.
The metal building professionals at Central Florida Steel Buildings and Supply can design and install the perfect steel garage, shed, or carport for you. Contact them today.