Physical termite barriers help manage vulnerable areas such as service penetrations, expansion joints, slab perimeters and construction junctions. These areas may provide concealed entry points if the building’s termite management system does not protect them correctly.
Kordon and Greenzone Expansion Foam are commonly described as physical termite barriers because installers incorporate them into the building. However, both products also contain termiticides. More precisely, they are building-integrated components of a termite management system.
What a physical barrier actually does
Building-integrated termite barriers use durable materials to deter concealed termite entry through protected areas. Some products, including Kordon and Greenzone Expansion Foam, also contain active ingredients that repel termites.
These products do not necessarily stop termites from approaching the building or finding another route. Instead, a correctly designed system restricts concealed access through protected areas and may force termites around the barrier. Inspectors may then detect this activity during a professional termite inspection.
Although these products do not require routine chemical reapplication like soil treatments, regular inspections remain essential. Building alterations, landscaping and damage can allow termites to bypass an installed barrier.
Kordon: protecting specified slab penetrations
During construction or suitable renovation work, an Envu-accredited installer can fit Kordon around specified service penetrations, beneath slabs or along perimeter areas included in the termite management design.
Kordon consists of polyester webbing containing deltamethrin between two polyethylene layers. Therefore, it combines a durable sheet material with termite repellency to deter concealed entry through the protected area.
Kordon does not require chemical reapplication after installation. Envu reports that CSIRO testing has demonstrated at least 20 years of effectiveness under high termite pressure. Envu also states that Kordon has an evaluated durability and design life exceeding 50 years. However, these statements describe product testing and expected durability, not a guarantee that termites cannot enter the building.
Termites may still travel around Kordon through unprotected areas, later renovations or sections where landscaping covers the inspection zone. Therefore, homeowners should arrange regular termite inspections and follow the applicable warranty conditions.
Greenzone expansion joint foam: solving the movement joint problem
Expansion joints allow concrete components to move as temperature, moisture and load conditions change. Therefore, products used in these joints must accommodate movement while maintaining the specified termite barrier.
Greenzone Expansion Foam combines compressible, closed-cell polyethylene foam with bifenthrin. It functions as both expansion-joint foam and a building-integrated termite barrier.
Installers can use the product in compatible expansion and contraction joints according to the documented design and the manufacturer’s installation manual. The compressible foam accommodates movement within the joint, while the incorporated bifenthrin repels termites from the protected area.
However, installers must prepare, join and position the product correctly. Poor installation, damage or later construction changes may affect the termite management system.
Expansion joints require particular attention on projects with large slabs, multiple joints or staged concrete pours. Protecting the specified joints helps maintain continuity across the documented termite management system.
Do building-integrated barriers replace chemical soil treatments?
Kordon and Greenzone protect only the areas included in their approved design and installation. Depending on the construction method, building-integrated barriers may form part or all of a compliant termite management system.
Therefore, every project does not automatically require a chemical soil treatment. However, a licensed termite management professional may recommend a soil-applied termiticide when the site assessment identifies additional perimeter or soil-entry risks.
Where a project combines building-integrated barriers with a soil treatment, each component performs a different role. Kordon or Greenzone can protect specified penetrations, joints or perimeter details. Meanwhile, a soil-applied termiticide creates a treated zone in the designated soil areas.
Where these termite management products may be suitable
Building-integrated termite management products may suit projects with:
- Multiple service penetrations through a concrete slab
- Expansion or contraction joints
- Large or staged concrete pours
- Multi-dwelling developments
- New extensions that connect with an existing structure
- Complex slab and perimeter details
A termite management professional should assess the building plans and site conditions before recommending products. In addition, the installer must follow the product label, manufacturer’s installation manual and documented termite management design.
If your project includes expansion joints, multiple slab penetrations or connections between new and existing construction, contact us before the concrete pour. We can assess the plans and recommend a suitable termite management system. Depending on the project, this may include Kordon, Greenzone Expansion Foam or a compatible soil treatment.
