Building Greener Projects, Inside & Out: Exploring the world’s first airtight OSB panel

Across the UK and Ireland, the industry is shifting from reactive regulation‑driven upgrades to a more strategic rethinking of how the building envelope contributes to energy efficiency, occupant health and long‑term operational cost. This shift is being accelerated not only by national building regulations, but also by the wider direction of European policy. The EU’s recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD 2024/1275) signals a decisive move toward a fully decarbonised building stock by 2050, placing building envelope quality, airtightness included, at the centre of energy reduction, renovation and zero‑emission strategies. Ireland is already preparing to transpose this legislation by May 2026, embedding higher performance standards into national law. And although the UK is no longer bound by EU requirements, the regulatory trajectory across Europe continues to influence best practice, procurement frameworks and the expectations of clients operating across borders.

What this means in practice is clear: airtightness is emerging as one of the construction sector’s most powerful levers. It affects not just energy performance but indoor air quality, mechanical ventilation strategies, and the health and wellbeing outcomes now prioritised by both housing providers and residents. Yet despite its importance, airtightness remains one of the least consistently delivered elements on site due to workmanship variation, material mismatch and fragmented trade responsibilities.

In a time defined by rising energy prices, decarbonisation commitments and the modernisation of building stock, the construction industry must look beyond traditional, patchwork solutions. The question is no longer why airtightness matters, but how it can be delivered with reliability, simplicity and repeatability at scale. And that is precisely where Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) systems are beginning to reshape the conversation.

SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT is a Passive House Institute certified airtight OSB/3 panel with an integrated vapour control layer for use as structural sheathing in timber frame structures. Unlike traditional sheathing solutions, AIRTIGHT integrates the air barrier directly into the panel itself – the world’s first product of its kind.

Its standout feature? The factory‑applied green vapour control layer. Combining structural strength (OSB/3) with integrated vapour control and an air barrier, it removes the need for separate VC membranes. This isn’t just a colour - it's a visual assurance that airtightness is built in. Installers can instantly identify the correct panel face, helping to reduce errors while reinforcing the panel’s sustainability story: a greener approach to construction, inside and out.

Integrated solutions like SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT represent this new direction. The air barrier is engineered into the product from the start. Additionally, its vapour-closed airtight coating ensures reliable, repeatable performance across the entire build, without relying on further solutions or membranes that can rip, wrinkle or detach.

For organisations grappling with tightening budgets and regulations, having an integrated solution offers something rare: simplicity without compromise. It enables higher performance without adding layers, cost or vulnerability.

The integrated vapour control layer also supports effective moisture management, protecting the building envelope while simplifying wall build‑ups, particularly beneficial for timber frame construction and low‑energy design.

By minimising unintended air leakage, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT offers the opportunity to downsize heating and cooling requirements, contributing directly to lower operational carbon. When combined with renewable energy technologies, it forms a key part of building envelopes designed to achieve ultra‑low energy use and enhanced indoor comfort.

As the drive toward zero‑emission buildings gathers pace, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT is becoming an essential component in high‑performance construction. It shifts airtightness from a task completed at the end of the build to a property of the structure from the very beginning.

Engineered to help you build more sustainably, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT has been designed with credentials that support low‑carbon construction at every stage.

• No added formaldehyde - healthier indoor environments
• FSC® certified timber - responsible forestry and full traceability
• Fewer materials - improved resource efficiency and reduced waste
• Integrated functionality - less embodied carbon compared to multi‑layer systems

By embedding airtightness and vapour control directly into the structural panel, it transforms traditionally fragile, inconsistent solutions into a resilient, factory‑controlled element with predictable results. In practice, this leads to cleaner builds, tighter envelopes, and a more consistent, high-quality performance of the final build.

As the industry accelerates toward greener, smarter, more energy‑efficient homes, SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT stands out as a material that doesn’t just meet rising expectations but anticipates them. It empowers teams to build with confidence today while preparing for the standards of tomorrow.