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Case Study
Birch Construction Surrey is no stranger to the ever-evolving aspects of developing high-quality homes. The company works with homebuilders, as well as on renovation and landscaping projects across the South-East of England — an area that has seen a steady increase in luxury homes in recent years. It was one such luxury home construction project that led Birch Construction Surrey to first cross paths with SMARTPLY.
Birch Construction Surrey was approached to work on a five-bedroom luxury home in Warlingham, Surrey, spanning approximately 7,000 square feet. Ordinarily, the company opts for chipboard for flooring systems. However, for this project, the team sought an alternative that would not only deliver superior performance but also meet the acoustic performance requirements of Building Regulations Part E and align with their environmental values.
The team selected SMARTPLY MAX DB panels for the flooring system. SMARTPLY MAX DB is a high-performance OSB/3 panel designed specifically for enhanced acoustic performance in internal flooring applications. It has been tested by a UKAS-accredited laboratory to achieve an airborne sound insulation rating of 40dB, meeting the internal floor requirements of the Building Regulations Part E in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“SMARTPLY ticked all the boxes for what we were looking for as an alternative to chipboard,” explained James Birch, Director at Birch Construction Surrey. “The strength, durability and moisture-resistant properties of the board were the perfect fit for the project, and we were able to have our joints at 600mm centres.”
“One of the things that drew us to SMARTPLY was that there is full test data to demonstrate that SMARTPLY MAX DB meets the acoustic rating when in a flooring build-up,” continued Birch. “With that, we can be sound of mind knowing the flooring system we have installed meets building regulations, and have comfort knowing the owner of the house will have a home that has the correct acoustic levels.”
Efficient and lasting installation
One of the key benefits that OSB/3 offers compared to chipboard is that it is inherently more lightweight. As Birch Construction Surrey found, SMARTPLY MAX DB was lighter than the 22mm chipboard they had used in previous projects, making it much easier to handle and manoeuvre around the site. Alongside this, the SMARTPLY team was also on hand to support with technical queries throughout the entire project installation.
“SMARTPLY MAX DB is great. It’s durable, easy to fit, a lot easier to install because it’s lightweight and therefore easier to handle, and the tongue-and-groove are very well machined, so the edges interlock better than chipboard,” added Birch.
Once fitted, SMARTPLY MAX DB offers lasting performance and several advantages over alternative panels:
- Superior sound reduction: The panels are ideal for internal residential flooring systems, helping to create quieter, more comfortable living environments.
- Sustainable and low carbon: SMARTPLY MAX DB is made from responsibly sourced timber with no added formaldehyde, contributing to a healthier indoor environment and a lower carbon footprint.
A lasting impression
While the luxury home in Warlingham is the first project where Birch Construction Surrey selected SMARTPLY for flooring systems, it marks the beginning of a closer partnership between the two brands.
“We’re always looking for innovative products that make our builds stronger, easier, and more sustainable,” Birch concluded. “SMARTPLY MAX DB has proven itself, and we look forward to incorporating it into more of our projects.”
About Birch Construction Surrey
Birch Construction Surrey has been delivering bespoke, high-end residential builds across the South-East of England for over 35 years. With a team of 11 core employees and a network of skilled and experienced subcontractors, the company delivers high-quality building services from start to finish. To find out more about Birch Construction, visit www.birchconstructionsurrey.co.uk
