In recent years, foam panels
have gained a reputation as a
cost-effective, energy-efficient
building material. Now, at least
two major panel manufacturers
appear to be on the verge of
eliminating one of the perceived
drawbacks of foam – by making
it unattractive to carpenter ants
and termites.
Both Winter Panel Corp. (RR
5, Box 168B, Brattleboro, VT
05301; 802/254-3435) and AFM
Corp. (6140 Lake Linden Dr.,
Box 246, Excelsior, MN 55331;
800/255-0176) say they are
preparing to introduce full lines
of "bug-safe" panels this spring.
The treatment processes are different,
but the key ingredients
used by both are borate compounds.
The two firms use different
types of foam. Winter Panel produces
primarily polyisocyanurate
panels, while AFM is an umbrella
group for 21 manufacturers
that use expanded