I want to make a house in Udon, using WOOD, my thai wife says; STUDIP, because of the termites .Who has experience with termites an a wooden house, and could my wife be right...for once

She may have called you "STUDIP" but I think she really means STUPID!8) Unless you are ready to invest a considerable amount of time and money in treating all the wood you will be using, you can and will have the dreaded termites. I'm in the process of renovating an all concrete townhouse and in one of the bathrooms there was a false ceiling to cover the plumbing above. When I had to gain access to this 'false' portion of the ceiling the first thing I ran into were the results of the termites. They were successfully located in the only wood in the entire structure... the frame of the false ceiling. And, none of the folks who were living in the townhouse were even aware that they were there - nor were they the least bit surprised.

Wood can catch fire easily in the dry season with high temperatures. You have to be very careful with burning a candle and incence, you can burn your house too.
Wood seems to be very expensive in Thailand, and the termites are always hungry.

Thanxs guys, it seems my wife is right...... for once (again)

In my opinion the most beautiful houses are made of wood, and when I build it will be made of wood.

BUT YES IT IS EXPENSIVE,
and maybe the other reason STUDIP, is that brick house are generally easier to cool.

BUt this is no problem if you are smart about your garden and tree's to provide extra shade to your house.

Regarding termites there are different types of wood that are more susceptible, and in Thailand they have different grades. It is a matter of finding someone who knows the hard woods from the cheaper soft woods that are more termite prone.

Genrally as logging is illegal and you don't want to get caught with illegal logged wood, it is actually very easy to buy a secondhand house in the village, and strip it just for the wood, replane it treat and Bob's your uncle you are away.

I had a funny expereince with a falung friend who was thinking about building with wood. I had asked my locals if any of them knew of any houses that people wanted to pull down with the good hard wood. Duly enough we found someone and got directed to the house, we were told 350,000 baht for the timber. Immediately the owner seen falung and pumped his price to 450,000, of course we laughed and said no, but neighbours listening said,HMMMMM.....yes you want wood, would you like to have a look at our house for 250,000, immediatley we could see the wood was inferior quality and politely declined, and then his neighbour was wondering what these falung were upto and then he was willing to put his house on the market for the right price, and then another it was quite comical.

But morale of the story, buy hardwood and have someone who knows wood in Thailand help you, and ten buy it secondhand, of course at the right price.

Fred the Farmer wrote:
In my opinion the most beautiful houses are made of wood, and when I build it will be made of wood.

...

Me too!!! Need to save some more though

Regarding termites there are different types of wood that are more susceptible, and in Thailand they have different grades. It is a matter of finding someone who knows the hard woods from the cheaper soft woods that are more termite prone.

My GF tells me, no problem using wood. No termites in Tha Kathon. I'm not sure if that is true, what I do see is that many houses have a concrete ground floor & walls & ceiling, the second floor is usually wood. I don't know what type of wood.

TEAK WOOD but hard to get now days and EXPENSIVE.

STUDIP, because of the termites

i wood never put wood in a house again. you got one smart lady, listen to her.

if you build on concrete post you can build your houser in wood but remember you have to treat the ground around the post and watch for temite trails going up the post also if you use a termite shield also helps pour diesel fuel around the post and be genoruois with it because you want it to soak in the ground this will keep termites away also motor oil I know it not invirementally friendly but it your investment since I don't know if they have treated lumber here like in the states this is the only thing I can think of I am sure there are people who know better and have the experence in building wooden homes here. also treat the ground around any steps or area leading up to the wood section of the house also you should treat the ground again every 6 months to a year

Do not build with wood here for a number of reasons; not just the termites.

PS - stopping ground termites is doable but you can't stop the flying ones.

My brother-in-law makes wood windows and door frames, and doors. The wood is taken from demolished wood homes. We have a concrete house with old wood frame windows. So far knock on wood we have not had any problems.

Most of the old homes were built off the ground. Over time the space on the first floor was enclosed with concrete. That is why you see many homes with second floors made out of wood.

If you use teak wood there is no worry about termites.





and you have a beautiful home

Well wood you believe it...I 'saw' on FBi's site the most expensive house in Udon they are advertising is made of wood...at 9 million baht, real nice especially if you are looking for a real 'Ban Thai', and you got nine mil to spend.

nine mil to spend
nine mil to loose
uuphs.
I wanted to be a good boy
The Farmer

I have to agree, when I eventually get round to building a house, the wood content will be as low as possible.
I think wood looks great and have built some beautiful homes in the UK using reclaimed materials but due to the expense and the termite issue I will be sticking with concrete and metal in Thailand.