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Technical Blog
When the UK’s new Labour government came to power in July 2024, it committed to the party’s pledge to construct 1.5 million homes across the next five years. The figure equates to approximately 300,000 homes built each year and is seen as a much-needed step in addressing the nation’s housing crisis, albeit one that will be challenging to complete.
Meeting the required number of houses isn’t simply a matter of build speed and quantity. It’s important that the right houses are being built that align with the nation's long-term sustainability goals while also fostering a healthy environment for the occupants. That comes down to selecting the right construction materials—for example, the appropriate materials for the substrate or subfloor.
A durable structural floor panel is an important part of any homebuilding project. However, there are countless other properties of flooring that contribute to a healthy home — sound insulation being one. Noise pollution in the home has been found in studies to be a leading cause of stress, annoyance and anxiety, as well as being a cause of conflict between neighbours. A 2023 survey found that one in five homeowners have made complaints about noisy neighbours.
The acoustic performance of a building and a floor’s sound insulation can help reduce the volume and eliminate certain airborne sounds. It’s for this reason that the Building Regulations in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland specify that internal residential flooring should achieve airborne sound insulation of 40dB.
Wood panels are often used to provide sound insulation in structural flooring systems. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) panels emerge as a good alternative to chipboard, delivering strong acoustic performance and adaptability to different construction needs. For example, MEDITE SMARTPLY recently completed extensive testing with a UKAS-accredited laboratory on two flooring solutions, with each boasting high load-bearing capacity and the required airborne sound insulation performance of 40dB.
The flooring solutions tested feature two distinct options – SMARTPLY MAX DB and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB. SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB is an airtight tongue and groove OSB/3 panel offering moisture resistance and featuring a unique high-performance coating that enhances durability and provides slip resistance. As testament to its performance, SURE STEP DB has demonstrated its ability to withstand 45 days of exposure without experiencing degradation.
SMARTPLY MAX DB, on the other hand, is a moisture-resistant panel that is designed to be 30 percent lighter than chipboard panels without compromising strength and durability. This lighter weight makes it easier for homebuilder to handle on the construction site, as well as simpler and cheaper to transport.
Innovative developments in sound insulating floor solutions like these are invaluable in helping homebuilders to meet the challenge ahead. Particularly with panels like SMARTPLY MAX DB, the lighter weight and high structural performance can help to make the construction of quiet, healthy residential buildings a less demanding task.
