ABSTRACT
In modern construction, timber, or increasingly its derivatives, form the roofs, floors and (sometimes) the wall structures of many houses. Timber remains the most popular material for windows, doors, stairs and many other more decorative elements within houses. Yet timber has some significant vulnerabilities that can lead to very serious and expensive defects-, fungal infestations and insect attack can both destroy timber. Controlling the level of moisture is a prerequisite to breaking the life cycle of the fungi and insects that feed on timber.
