Product manager Rebecca Goldsmith of Medite Smartply – sponsor of the School of Specification – answers readers’ questions on OSB.

Buildings.

Ceiling made from SMARTPLY MAX FR B panels (photo: Caomhan Murphy)

What is OSB and how is it made?
OSB or oriented strand board is a versatile engineered wood product. It provides a wide range of benefits to housebuilders, making it an excellent choice for various construction applications. SMARTPLY OSB is manufactured by compressing precisely engineered wood strands with no added formaldehyde resins at high temperature to create an incredibly strong and versatile product. All our panels are manufactured in accordance with EN 300 performance standards and are suitable in Service Class 1 and 2 applications.

How is OSB typically used on construction projects?
SMARTPLY OSB panels offer numerous benefits to housebuilders, enhancing efficiency and durability in construction projects. Their structural strength, moisture resistance and ease of installation, make them an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.

Buildings.

SMARTPLY MAX FR B is a structural, moisture-resistant OSB/3 panel with outstanding and reliable reaction to fire properties (photo: Caomhan Murphy)

Is OSB suitable for structural applications and if so what types of component?
OSB is a popular material due to its structural strength and stability. Comprising multiple layers of cross-oriented thin wood strands, OSB provides excellent dimensional stability and loadbearing capacity making it ideal for flooring, roof sheathing, and wall applications.

How does OSB perform environmentally?
SMARTPLY OSB is made from FSC-certified timber sourced from sustainable, fast-growing pine and spruce. This includes tree tops that are not used to make any other wood-based product. Because OSB is made of wood strands the whole tree is used and nothing is wasted. Carbon is stored in MEDITE SMARTPLY panels from the growth of trees in our sustainably managed forests to the point of manufacturing, and stays locked in for the lifespan of the product and the buildings they are used in. Our panels are fully certified, UKCA and CE marked, legally sourced, and sustainable.

Is OSB recyclable at the end of its life?
OSB can be recycled at the end of its life. We recommend that you contact your local recycling depot beforehand to confirm any restrictions.

To find out more about MDF please visit the Medite Smartply website.

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