The durability of wood is measured as the resistance untreated wood has to attacks from degrading agents. In this event, biotic agents that may attack it are mainly fungus and insects.
Each species of wood has a natural durability according to its content in resins, tannins, oils, exposition and the quantity of heartwood and sapwood it has. Heartwood is the most resistant part.
As for wood-eating insects, such as termites and woodworm, one must take into account and be especially careful when choosing the kind of wood we will use, as well as the temperature and humidity conditions in the place we are going to put it, always avoiding using wood that is too soft and that with a high degree of inner humidity, since these are ideal conditions for being attacked by these insects.
In this respect, in recent years wood technology has progressed a great deal, especially with structural woods, which are dried to under 18% humidity and along with the potential for natural protective primers without toxins and some correct inner temperature conditions, wood becomes quite unattractive to these insects.
