{"id":274711,"date":"2025-04-06T16:39:48","date_gmt":"2025-04-06T07:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/?p=274711"},"modified":"2025-04-06T16:39:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-06T07:39:48","slug":"renovating-and-residing-in-affordable-properties-in-japan-part-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adfwebmagazine.jp\/en\/architect\/renovating-and-residing-in-affordable-properties-in-japan-part-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Renovating and residing in affordable properties in Japan – Part 13: Reinforcing Pillars in a Japanese Wooden House"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reinforcing Pillars in a Japanese Wooden House<\/h3>\r\n

O<\/span>nce the interior has been demolished, the next step is to replace or reinforce any damaged pillars. Pillars are one of the most crucial structural elements in a house, especially in traditional Japanese wooden homes, where the framework relies on pillars rather than walls for support. Their condition directly impacts the house\u2019s durability.<\/p>\r\n

In some cases, if a house was built over 100 years ago in a dry, well-ventilated location, its pillars and beams may still be in good condition with little to no deterioration. However, in areas with poor ventilation or high humidity, pillars are often damaged by termites or fungi. Even in well-ventilated spaces, Ie-Shiroari (Japanese subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus) can carry moisture from the ground to soften and consume the wood. This means that houses in humid environments are particularly vulnerable to termite damage.<\/p>\r\n

Structural issues may also arise even if the pillars themselves are intact. A house might be sinking or tilting due to foundation problems, or the weight of the structure might be unevenly distributed due to design flaws or past renovations.<\/p>\r\n

Before proceeding with repairs, check for:<\/p>\r\n