MEDITE SMARTPLY

A state-of-the-art sports and learning centre in Cambridge features a dramatic space-defining acoustic based on the use of MEDITE PREMIER FR fire rated panels from MEDITE SMARTPLY.

MEDITE SMARTPLY’s newest MDF product MEDITE OPTIMA was used by John Penny Joinery to create durable, elegant shaker doors as part of a kitchen renovation at a property in Edinburgh. 

At an architect’s new timber frame home, high racking strength and airtightness were crucial in the internal lining specification. With the installation of 240 sheets of SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT (was VapAirTight), the house achieved an air change rate (n50) of 0.09 air changes per hour at 50Pa – six times better than recommended by the PassivHaus Institute. The stylish two-storey house incorporates a range of ecological materials and systems. But with large glazed areas and two cantilevers at the rear and side, the project required a structural panel that combined racking strength with exceptional airtightness – for which SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT proved ideal.

Nestled in the fashionable, switched-onNestled in the fashionable, switched-on London borough of Camden, high-performance London Max Fordham House has been completed  to the highest energy saving standards with to the highest energy saving standards with SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT.An ultra-low energy, all-electric, contemporary three-bedroom ‘Passivhaus’, Max Fordham House is specifically designed by bere: architects to feature a thermal envelope geared towards reducing heat loss. The less heat lost from a building, the more overall environmentally efficient it can be. One way to do achieve as little heat loss as possible is making the building airtight, which is the aim of the Passivhaus system.SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT, a structural OSB panel with integrated vapour control developed by MEDITE SMARTPLY especially for use in Passivhaus construction, is the vital ingredient in this project. Specified by the award-winning Bow Tie Construction company, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT provides a state-of-the-art, engineered vapour barrier with consistently high vapour resistance over the entire surface.“The house uses a fabric-first Passivhaus approach, requiring only a fraction of the energy needed by a similarly sized home built to the minimum requirements of UK Building Regulations, for all uses including “The house uses a fabric-first Passivhaus approach, requiring only a fraction of the energy needed by a similarly sized home built to the minimum requirements of UK Building Regulations, for all uses including heating,” Hagop Heath-Matossian, Business Development Manager at Bow Tie Construction, says.“We chose to specify SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT because it is efficient, reliable and it was important to us that all timber products used were sustainably manufactured and sourced; AIRTIGHT offered us a guaranteed sustainable timber solution. Vitally, the client was delighted with the end result.”Max Fordham House, which was completed in the Spring of 2019 and achieves an Energy Performance Certificate of B 83, is the third project that Bow Tie Construction has specified PROPASSIV for, favouring it for its rigidity and quality assurance compared to a traditional membrane-based system.Hagop explains: “AIRTIGHT was specifically used to insulate the roof of the Max Fordham House, but has been used within the entire interior space in other Passivhaus projects previously, to great success.”In most Passivhaus projects in the UK, a membrane is used as an airtight barrier for the properties’ insulation, however, such solutions can be easily damaged during the construction process. SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT offers a solution to this as it will not come apart during a negative pressure test like a membrane would.

The site was in a challenging position, the location was confined with additional restricted access, the client also insisted on building with “natural and healthy materials”. Our AIRTIGHT structural panel with exceptional airtightness, effortlessly met the brief, even within a very tight budget.

SMARTPLY FR/FR BUILD OSB3 from MEDITE SMARTPLY has been used as a flame retardant flooring solution within a seven-storey, timber frame accommodation building for students of John Moores University and University of Liverpool.

SMARTPLY MAX FR B has been specified and installed to provide enhanced fire protection at a new residential development at School Road, Hove in East Sussex. Built by PMC Construction, the affordable 104-home development is on the site of a former Westerman Industrial Works complex originating from the 1950’s.   The extensive project included the building of 21 town houses, and seven residential blocks. Block A features nine flats in a four to five storey structure, while blocks B, C and D feature 47 flats across four storeys. Blocks E, F and G consists of 17 flats and retail units spanning across three and four storeys. Such a feat required specialist, structural panels with reliable reaction to fire properties.  “The project was to supply and erect timber frames as part of the design and construction of 104 residential dwellings and three commercial units,” said Emma Barry, Project Co Ordinator at Gibbs Timber Frame. “We had worked with SMARTPLY products before, but on smaller projects that required enhanced fire protection.” Around 3,500 sheets of SMARTPLY MAX FR B were used in the project, covering over 8,900m2. “We chose SMARTPLY MAX FR B panels for the Cat B and Cat C buildings and decking because of its flame retardant properties. Crucially, the product is also suitable for EC5 Design and Cat 1 racking, which is just what we needed.” SMARTPLY MAX FR B is a structural, moisture resistant OSB/3 panel, which as well as having outstanding and reliable reaction to fire properties, is ideal for use in a range of applications where strength, moisture resistance and improved flame retardance are paramount. Unlike standard, structural OSB/3 panels, SMARTPLY MAX FR B is treated with a water-based, non-toxic flame retardant solution during the manufacturing process, which provides enhanced fire protection throughout the thickness of the panel. This means that even if it’s cut, the level of protection remains, unlike some post-treated panels.  SMARTPLY MAX FR B is CE certified according to EN 13986 and meets the requirements for load-bearing panels for use in humid conditions (Type OSB/3) as defined in EN 300 and Eurocode 5. The project began in January 2020 and is due to be completed in October 2021. Gibbs Timber Frame are manufacturers of high-quality timber frame structures with over twenty years’ experience in the construction industry. Their expertise ranges from luxury detached homes, specialised structures, bungalows, chalets, terrace housing, apartment blocks, commercial buildings and home extensions.  Find out more and keep up with them here: www.gibbstimberframe.co.uk  Discover more about the benefits of SMARTPLY MAX FR B here:

SMARTPLY MAX FR B was specified and installed at a new multi-purpose building to provide both enhanced fire protection and a unique, textured aesthetic.

The Greenpeace Field at Glastonbury festival has long been popular among festival-goers thanks to their free hot showers and delicious veggie food available at their cafe. This year, however, will see a new feature to the field with the addition of a show-stopping 20m giant tree structure. Built from SMARTPLY OSB, the huge tree will come alive at night with a colour changing light show and will feature a DJ booth allowing attendees to party into the early hours.

SMARTPLY PATTRESS PLUS, an innovative factory prepared oriented strand board (OSB), has greatly reduced the time spent on the latest big build project for contractor SD Plastering.

SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT was specified to withstand the worst of the elements to provide durable, aesthetic protection during construction of a multimillion pound grandstand at Bath Racecourse, Britain’s highest flat racing venue. Located 230 metres above sea level, the course is often affected by strong winds, making SMARTPLY SITEPROTECT the ideal choice as a long-standing safe hoarding for public and site workers alike.

SMARTPLY ULTIMA OSB/4, manufactured by Irish wood panel producer MEDITE SMARTPLY, has been used to form part of a new specialist product specified for a major roofing project in Kilroot, Ireland.

A hospital facility in Norrland, Sweden has been renovated extensively with wood-based products, owing to the universal belief that natural materials help people heal better. This serene and homely sanctuary functions as a temporary home for families with young children suffering from long-term illness.

The New Community Men’s Shed, a social enterprise established in May 2019 teaches joinery skills using SMARTPLY OSB to male refugees in Waterford, Ireland.

Chester Zoo’s Wild Worlds Festival is officially open, bringing a new twist to teaching children about the animal world with nine interactive installations, including three giant talking chairs made from MEDITE® TRICOYA® EXTREME (MTX).