Dear James: We have problems with insect damage in our area. When doing a major remodeling project, should we treat all the lumber with spray-on borate chemicals for protection? Borate chemicals ...

Dear Jamie: Stopping insects before they enter your house is always better than trying to treat an infestation once it is established. Insects can cause direct structural damage or increase the wood’s ...

What it is: A new way of treating wood with environmentally safe preservatives. The technique uses microscopic beads as sponges, ferrying preservatives into the center of the wood. The market: Demand ...