What Is A Smartfilm Termite Barrier And How Does It Work?

Table of Contents

• What is a Smartfilm termite barrier?
• How does a Smartfilm termite barrier work?
• What are the benefits of a Smartfilm termite barrier?
• Where is a Smartfilm termite barrier installed?
• What warranty does the Smartfilm termite barrier have?
• How to register your Smartfilm termite barrier warranty
• How to maintain your Smartfilm termite barrier
• Conclusion
• Frequently Asked Questions

Your home is very likely to be the single largest investment you will make. So, when building your new home, there are many decisions that will shape how your property performs for years to come.

Some are easy to see once your home is complete, while others are built into its structure and hidden from view. Both can have a profound impact on the value of your home now and in the years to come.

A termite management system is one of these less visible decisions but plays a very important role in helping protect your property and its future value and for many Australian builders that means a Smartfilm termite barrier.

Termite damage can become very expensive to treat and repair. An industry study commissioned by the Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association (AEPMA) estimated the average cost of treatment and repair of termite damage to be approximately $10,000 per affected house¹. This estimate does not account for the loss in value of a house prone to termites.

Smartfilm is a termite management system designed to help protect homes from the impact of termites and is installed by the Termi Home & Commercial network. It helps save homeowners from the emotional and financial stress of termite damage and is a lower-cost alternative to our premium stainless steel termite management system, the Termimesh System.

In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about the Smartfilm termite barrier, including how it works, where it is installed and its warranty. We’ll also cover what you need to do to maintain your installed termite barrier.

What you need to know

• Smartfilm is a chemical termite management system designed to protect buildings from concealed termite entry
• The system consists of a chemically impregnated geotextile blanket, and Termimesh stainless steel flanges installed during construction
• Smartfilm is fitted to all termite entry points, including construction joints, slab edges and service penetrations
• Independent trials and testing indicate Smartfilm will remain an effective termite barrier for up to 50 years when combined with annual termite inspections
• Every eligible Smartfilm termite barrier is protected by a $100,000 termite damage warranty for up to 50 years*
• Annual termite inspections are required to extend the Smartfilm warranty and help ensure the barrier continues to perform as intended

*Terms and conditions apply

What is a Smartfilm termite barrier?

Smartfilm is a renowned chemical termite management system that consists of a chemically impregnated geotextile blanket and penetration flanges to deter termites from entering buildings and causing economic damage.

A Smartfilm termite barrier is installed during a building’s construction and is fitted to key areas where termites may be able to enter undetected. It is installed by qualified technicians from the Termi Home & Commercial network and is suitable for use in both new residential and commercial buildings.

How does a Smartfilm termite barrier work?

Smartfilm works as a chemical barrier to help protect structures from concealed termite entry. The primary control mechanism of Smartfilm is the insecticide deltamethrin, which deters termite ingress. Deltamethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid modelled on natural pyrethrins produced by chrysanthemum flowers. It works by disrupting the nervous system functions of an insect.³

This primary control mechanism differs greatly from what is used in our premium termite management system, Termimesh, which is poison-free and uses woven stainless steel mesh to create a barrier that termites cannot physically pass through.

What are the benefits of a Smartfilm termite barrier?

• It uses deltamethrin, an insecticide, to deter termite ingress. This chemical is of low toxicity to warm-blooded animals
• It provides long term termite protection, which will remain effective when product terms and conditions are followed
• Smartfilm is installed to specification by trained Termi Home & Commercial technicians to help avoid installation issues
• Smartfilm is compatible with many different construction styles across both residential and commercial buildings

Where is a Smartfilm termite barrier installed?

Smartfilm is a pre-construction barrier that is installed during construction in areas where termites may be able to gain concealed entry into a building. These areas often become inaccessible once construction is finished and include:

• Construction and expansion joints
• Slab edges such as perimeters
• Service penetrations for pipes going through the slab

What warranty does the Smartfilm termite barrier have?

Every eligible barrier is protected by a $100,000 termite damage warranty for up to 50 years* with approved annual termite inspections conducted by the installing Termi Home & Commercial Service Centre.

The Smartfilm Warranty covers damage to nominated structural and secondary timbers in the unlikely event that termites penetrate the Smartfilm System*.

It’s important to understand that the warranty, like other termite barrier warranties, does not cover bridging, the building over, of the system by termites.

*Terms & Conditions apply

How to register your Smartfilm termite barrier warranty

Registering your warranty is simple. You can either fill out the registration card included in the handover pack provided by your builder or register your Smartfilm Warranty online.

For more information about your Smartfilm Warranty, contact your local Termi Home & Commercial Service Centre.

How to maintain your Smartfilm termite barrier

There are a few simple steps you can follow to help ensure your new home continues to be protected by Smartfilm.

• Keep timber, firewood and other cellulose-rich materials off the ground and away from the external walls of your home, to prevent termite bridging
• If adding an extension to your home, consult your nearest Termi Home & Commercial Service Centre before work begins to understand how to continue to keep your property protected from termites
• Understand the common visual signs of termites, so you can identify possible damage if termites do gain access to your property
• Book annual termite inspections as recommended by Australian Standard AS3660.1 to ensure your termite barrier continues to perform as intended

Learn what is involved in a Termi Home & Commercial termite inspection here.

Conclusion

Smartfilm is a pre-construction termite management system designed to protect new homes and commercial buildings from concealed termite entry. It is installed in vulnerable areas by trained Termi Home & Commercial technicians and contains an insecticide, deltamethrin, to deter subterranean termites from causing financial damage to buildings.

Smartfilm plays an important role in protecting new buildings from termites, but it should not be treated as a set-and-forget system. Understanding how to maintain your termite barrier once installed, registering your Warranty and arranging annual termite inspections will all help keep your property protected long after construction is complete.

Have a question you still need answered?

We’ve covered what you need to know about the Smartfilm termite barrier. However, if you still have any questions about Smartfilm, its warranty or how to maintain your barrier, reach out to our friendly team.

Send us an enquiry or give us a call, we are always happy to help you.

Frequently Asked Questions

 Q. Is Smartfilm a chemical or physical barrier?

A. Smartfilm works as a chemical barrier. It contains an insecticide, deltamethrin, to deter termites away from buildings.

Q. Who installs Smartfilm termite barriers and can I install it myself?

A. Smartfilm termite barriers are installed only by trained Termi Home & Commercial technicians, who understand how to install termite barriers to specification.

Smartfilm is not DIY and therefore cannot be purchased through retail stores.

Q. Why is a Smartfilm termite barrier installed during construction?

A. A Smartfilm barrier is installed during construction to protect vulnerable termite entry points, such as construction joints, slab edges and service penetrations, before they become inaccessible.

Builders are required to install a compliant termite management system for new building work where there is a risk of subterranean termite attack.

Q. Is Smartfilm compliant with Australian termite management requirements?

A. Yes. Smartfilm holds a CodeMark Certificate of Compliance and satisfies the requirements of the National Construction Code.

Independent testing and scientific evaluations have established that Smartfilm also meets the requirements of the Australian Standard AS 3660.1.

Q. How long does a Smartfilm termite barrier last?

A. Independent trials and testing indicate Smartfilm will remain effective for up to 50 years. Every eligible barrier is protected by a $100,000 termite damage warranty for up to 50 years*, provided the warranty conditions are met.

*Terms & Conditions apply