SMARTPLY OSB3 from MEDITE SMARTPLY has recently been selected for the build of a three bedroom detached dwelling near Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland. The building, which due to restrictive planning legislation had to be designed to reflect the agricultural nature of existing buildings, utilised SMARTPLY OSB3 to produce a barn-like structure, including a barrel vaulted style roof. Moisture resistant SMARTPLY OSB3 was specified by Timbertech Homes for its durability and versatile characteristics.
SMARTPLY OSB3, the highly engineered wood-based structural panel designed for use in humid conditions, offered an ideal solution for the 1,950sq/ft barn style structure, due to its adaptability for structural applications in both internal and protected external environments.
The zero-added formaldehyde panel, which is manufactured in accordance with EN 300, is suitable for a range of applications such as roofing, flooring and wall sheathing. It offers builders and roofing contractors a versatile alternative to plywood, providing peace of mind in both CE-marked certified structural performance and FSC-certified environmental credibility.
NSAI approved manufacturers of timber frame homes, Timbertech Homes Ltd, utilised SMARTPLY OSB3 due to its reliability and manufactured the timber frame structure at its workshop. Furthermore, Timbertech specified SMARTPLY OSB3 for the racking panels, floor and roof decks throughout the residential dwelling, which consequently achieved a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A3.
Timbertech selected SMARTPLY OSB3 over conventional plywood sheathing due to its guaranteed consistency. Fergal O’Malley from Timbertech Homes Ltd explains: “When tested under BS5268 for racking properties, the consistency of imported plywood can be uneven and gives varying results. Regardless of its racking properties plywood can be very inconsistent, so for example a sheet supplied in January can be very different to that in June. OSB on the other hand provides better consistency and is therefore more reliable.”
Used as a racking material, SMARTPLY OSB3 aided the engineering, design and installation of this structure whilst achieving the characteristics as stated on the specification data sheet. The quality controlled supply chain of SMARTPLY OSB3, from manufacture to delivery, ensures clear and accurate markings as well as a fit for purpose product that can be installed in the correct manner, leading to the correct certification and performance.
“Clear and accurate markings on each delivery sheet, for identification on site by supervising and certifying architects and engineers is what they want. Clearly labelled, fit for purpose products, installed in the correct manner leading to certification without qualification,” says Fergal.
Markings are crucial in the specification of any wood-based panels, but so too is the supporting paperwork. From the 1st July the Construction Products Regulation will support the harmonisation of standards across Europe, helping to ensure only the most reliable, sustainable, safe and high quality products and materials enter the market. Compliance with building regulations requires that wood-based panels including OSB are manufactured to EN300 and boast CE2+ marking to show that products have been tested to EN 13986 for applications where planning and building regulations demand a structural material is used.
In addition to the CE mark all construction products must be supported by a number of technical documents, most importantly a Declaration of Performance. OSB sourced from Europe provides a cost effective, environmental and compliant alternative to tropical plywood.
“SMARTPLY OSB3 delivers quality and consistency and subsequently gave us peace of mind throughout the project, explains Fergal O’Malley, “The high quality of SMARTPLY OSB3 helped us to guarantee that the structure erected on site matched the engineering design calculations, enabling us to complete the project and maintain supply chain integrity.”
