"Heat treatments caught my eye too, but when I looked into it, the upfront cost was pretty steep."
Yeah, I totally get the hesitation on heat treatments. When we first looked into it, the sticker shock was real. But honestly, after dealing with something similar, I'm starting to think the upfront cost might actually save you down the line. We went the borate route initially because it was cheaper and seemed effective, but it wasn't a total fix—ended up needing repeat applications, and even then, we still worried about hidden infestations.
I'm curious though, has anyone here actually gone through with heat treatments long-term? Did it hold up well over time, or did you find yourselves having to do additional sealing or maintenance anyway? I've heard mixed things about reinfestation risks afterward, so I'm wondering how much extra work you'd realistically have to put in to keep things pest-free.
Also, about reclaimed wood—it's beautiful stuff, but I'm starting to wonder if the savings and aesthetics are always worth the hassle. I love the rustic look too, but has anyone found a reliable middle-ground option that's less prone to pests yet still gives you that authentic feel? Like maybe certain types of reclaimed wood or sourcing from specific regions?
Either way, props for finding creative ways to keep costs in check. Renovations can spiral out of control so fast... seems like every time we think we've budgeted accurately, some unexpected issue pops up. Sounds like you're on the right track though—just gotta navigate these little bumps along the way.
"We went the borate route initially because it was cheaper and seemed effective, but it wasn't a total fix—ended up needing repeat applications..."
Yeah, borate can be a bit of a band-aid fix. We bit the bullet on heat treatments a couple years back—pricey upfront, but honestly haven't had issues since. Worth the peace of mind imo.
Heat treatments definitely seem to do the trick long-term, but man, that upfront cost can sting a bit. We tried spot-treating with borate on a renovation project last year—worked okay-ish, but like you said, needed multiple rounds. Did you find the heat treatment impacted other materials or finishes at all? Always wondered if there's any hidden downsides beyond just the price tag...
"Did you find the heat treatment impacted other materials or finishes at all? Always wondered if there's any hidden downsides beyond just the price tag..."
We went with heat treatment on our custom build last summer, and here's my quick take:
- No noticeable damage to drywall or paint finishes, surprisingly. I was worried about bubbling or peeling, but everything held up fine.
- Wood flooring was another story—had a few minor gaps appear afterward. Nothing major, but enough to notice if you're picky (like me).
- Definitely remove anything sensitive beforehand (electronics, candles, houseplants). Learned that the hard way when my wife's favorite succulent turned crispy...oops.
- Also, heads-up: the house felt weirdly humid for a day or two afterward. Not a big deal, just a bit uncomfortable until it aired out.
Overall, I'd say the peace of mind was worth the upfront sting. But yeah, it's not totally hassle-free.
"Wood flooring was another story—had a few minor gaps appear afterward."
Yeah, I've heard similar from friends who did heat treatments. Wonder if engineered flooring handles it better than solid hardwood... anyone have experience comparing the two under heat?
