Housebuilders need building products that they can trust, helping to protect their site, workforce and project timescales. Read on, as Jonathan Lynch, UK Building Product Manager at EGGER UK explores how chipboard-based structural flooring can deliver on all these needs.
Housebuilders and developers are under more pressure than ever before, with the hopes of a housing revival in 2024 falling flat and the headline target of 1.5 million homes over the next five years a notably ambitious and striking figure. As housebuilders continue to fight against skilled labour shortages and supply chain concerns, tight project timescales and the need for high-quality, snag-free builds continue to provide added challenges.
Quality products and materials that you can trust to perform are more important than ever. An integral part of any building, the structural flooring can deliver on far more than just a surface. But how do you know what to look out for?
Protect your build
Bad weather can spell lengthy delays, and we all know that the UK is renowned for its unpredictable climate. While you can’t control the weather, you can opt for structural flooring that has been engineered to endure the most challenging site conditions. This is especially important when you consider that new homes will often not be made watertight until further into the build, meaning that the building envelope and all internal surfaces will be exposed to the elements for a period of time.
Here, chipboard-based structural flooring that has a laminated surface layer on both sides of the board can be ideal, helping to protect the floor against moisture ingress. Look out for the certified exposure rating of a product, which will tell you how long it can be safely left exposed to the elements for. For NHBC and LABC projects, make sure that the board also has a third-party approval certificate from a UKAS accredited body.
Protect your workforce
It goes without saying that site safety is paramount. Given that structural flooring tends to be installed early in the construction process, it can serve a secondary function as a working platform for weeks or even months, providing site teams with the means to carry on other works around them.
With this in mind, it’s evident that housebuilders should also be checking a structural flooring product for its slip potential. The predominant test for structural flooring and its slip resistance is the Pendulum Test, which provides a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). All structural flooring is tested against this system under BS-7976-2, with a value of 36 or more resulting in a Low Slip Potential being assigned to the product. A value of between 24 and 35 is calculated as a Moderate Slip Potential and under 24 has a High Slip Potential, with anywhere from a 1 in 20 to a 1 in 200 chance of a slip occurring at this level.
Protect your investment
With the ongoing instability of the material supply landscape, any building product purchased is an investment in its own right. With structural flooring serving a second purpose as a working platform throughout the build, you need to know that it can withstand the demands of an active work site. Any damage sustained could lead to delays at the sign-off stage.
Look for flooring boards that offer a durable and laminated surface on both sides of the board. This can provide added protection against any damage from site traffic, dropped tools or other trades, such as plastering. Laminated surfaces can also be easily cleaned once construction has completed, enabling a smooth handover.
Protect your reputation
In a competitive market, protecting your reputation and ensuring you are consistently delivering high-quality, snag-free builds is essential. To avoid potential call-backs, look for structural flooring boards that have a precise tongue and groove profile, for a tighter and more consistent board joint, helping to protect against moisture ingress during the life of the board.
For further assurances, system guarantees can be a great indication of a product’s expected performance, providing you and the future homeowner with added peace of mind. Make sure to read any small print, to ensure you follow the recommended fitting method and don’t accidentally invalidate the guarantee.
Protect your carbon footprint
We all have a responsibility to minimise our carbon footprint and consider the effect we are having on the environment. With sustainability becoming more of a priority for potential home buyers, this same emphasis must also be present throughout the supply chain.
It is here that chipboard-based structural flooring really does shine, especially when compared to other alternatives. Timber provides a versatile and renewable material for construction, locking away carbon absorbed during the growth of the tree for the lifetime of the product.
Consider the recycled content within the boards to make even greener purchasing decisions, with some manufacturers using recycled wood waste and sawmill by-products (including hack chips and sawdust) within production, in addition to locally and sustainably sourced raw timber.
For more information, please visit: to.egger.link/protect.