MEDITE SMARTPLY, the leading manufacturer of sustainable wood-based panels, has completed extensive testing with a UKAS-accredited laboratory on its SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB flooring solutions.
These Oriented Strand Board (OSB) panels, as part of a flooring system, have demonstrably achieved the airborne sound insulation performance of 40dB as required by Building Regulations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – making them an ideal fit for use in timber flooring systems for internal residential floors.
Compared to the traditionally used chipboard solution, these flooring systems offer a host of benefits. Choosing SMARTPLY MAX DB enables a thinner, stronger and 30% lighter alternative, while opting for SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB provides improved durability and slip resistance performance – ticking all the boxes for operational goals.
“Peace and quiet are essential for a comfortable and healthy home environment,” says Roly Ward, Head of Business Development at MEDITE SMARTPLY. “We are excited to bring to the market new applications for our products that have been tested in flooring systems and offer sound reduction while providing the construction industry with a lighter, safer, airtight and sustainable flooring solution as an excellent alternative to traditionally used materials.”
MEDITE SMARTPLY has tested its 18mm SMARTPLY MAX DB in internal flooring systems. The systems successfully achieved 40dB of sound insulation, which is required for internal residential floors under the Building Regulations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This allows residents and families to ensure their homes are comfortably soundproofed, meaning that those upstairs are not disrupted by the activities of those downstairs, and vice versa.
SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB is an airtight, tongue-and-groove panel with a high-performance coating. Using it as an airtight layer for flooring or decking can contribute to sustainable building practices and reduce energy consumption for heating. This solution complies with building regulations and is certified as airtight. This means that SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB can help tenants living in social housing save money on heating costs, especially during colder months.
SMARTPLY OSB is a sustainable material that can add value throughout the supply chain. Sourced from sustainably managed and accredited Irish forests, SMARTPLY wood-based panels not only store carbon during the growth of trees but also continue to lock it in throughout the manufacturing process and the entire lifespan of the product and the buildings in which they are used.
SMARTPLY’s OSB panels are fully certified, UKCA & CE marked and sustainable. Since OSB is made of wood strands, the whole tree is used, and nothing is wasted. The entire SMARTPLY OSB range has been manufactured using no added formaldehyde, contributing towards healthier environments for dwellers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. “SMARTPLY OSB has one of the lowest embodied carbon values of any mainstream building material,” adds Roly Ward. “This makes it ideal for building energy-efficient homes – offering a warmer home and a reduction in energy consumption – keeping us on track towards a net-zero future.”
For more information visit: https://mdfosb.com/en/products/smartply-osb
Image: SMARTPLY MAX DB
Source: Offsite Magazine – Issue 45
