FAQs

SMARTPLY MAX, and all other SMARTPLY OSB products, is manufactured in a state-of-the-art factory equipped with a contiroll® press. Low grade wood logs are cut to create the strands, the strands are then dried and blended with resin and wax. The stands are then deposited in 3 layers before entering the press. The mat is then pressed under heat and pressure to tight thickness and dimensions tolerance.

SMARTPLY MAX is an OSB/3 panel. OSB/3 products have higher inherent structural properties than the corresponding chipboard panel (P5) and therefore for similar joists spacings in flooring applications OSB/3 panels can be thinner and provide similar structural performance. For example, in residential projects 18mm OSB/3 can be used on joists at 600mm spacing while 22mm P5 is required.

SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB has been certified by a UKAS-accredited laboratory to meet the Building Regulations Part E, in England, Wales and the Technical Booklet G in Northern Ireland, of 40dB acoustic sound rating. This means the panel can be installed as the internal flooring in single dwellings.

SMARTPLY MAX can be used in similar applications to plywood but is more uniform and consistent. It is a truly engineered wood-based panel that consists of many strands throughout the thickness of the panel, so its characteristics are averaged out over many more “layers” than plywood giving it more consistency.

SMARTPLY MAX is an OSB/3 panel, meaning it is suitable as a load bearing panel for use in humid conditions (Service class 2) and is therefore ideal for many structural and non-structural applications in both internal and protected external environments. Typical applications are wall sheathing, flooring and roofing.

SMARTPLY MAX is suitable for use in service class 2 conditions. This means that is can be used in environment where the relative humidity can be > 85% at 20°C for a few times a year.

SMARTPLY MAX panels can withstand short periods of temporary wetting during construction, although such exposure must be minimised as much as possible, temporary protection is recommended. Water must never be allowed to pool on the surface of panels, particularly at panel edges and T&G joints. If SMARTPLY MAX panels have been exposed to water, it is recommended to allow the panel to dry to the final expected moisture content before installing any permanent floor permanent covering to avoid any moisture degradation of the panels.