TIMBER FRAME
The use of structural timber in both traditional and modern methods of construction will be instrumental in the UK achieving its net zero targets and meeting the Future Homes Standard, coming into place in 2025. With new homes expected to produce 75-80% less carbon emissions compared to current levels, processes and materials will need to change to meet the new standards.
The Real Challenges Within the Timber Frame Industry
The world of construction is rapidly increasing its demand for sustainable, low‑carbon materials like timber, and the results of our latest survey, conducted in collaboration with the Structural Timber Association, reveal a sector with growing pressure on its shoulders. Although there is a clear desire to meet higher performance standards, many respondents pointed to a disconnect between policy ambition and the practical realities of delivery.
The Future Homes Standard (FHS), set to be introduced in 2025, will require new-build homes to produce 75 - 80% fewer carbon emissions compared to previous regulations, with a strong focus on airtightness and high-performance building fabric, including walls, floors and roofs.
Engineered Solutions for Long Term Performance
The SMARTPLY Standard
SMARTPLY produces a wide range of versatile, cost effective and environmentally conscious OSB panels for the market. All of our products are manufactured to be incredibly strong and highly versatile for a range of applications. With added benefits such as moisture resistance, tongue and groove and pre-cut rebates, the SMARTPLY range is the solution when it comes to sustainable panels within offsite construction.
Structural Reliability
Structural reliability is central to ensuring that every building component performs consistently, safely, and predictably over its intended lifespan. Alongside our OSB/3 range, our specialised OSB/4 products, SMARTPLY ULTIMA and SMARTPLY STRONGDECK, offer a higher-performance structural panel for the most demanding structural applications.
Sustainable Performance
All SMARTPLY products are manufactured from Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) certified timber, and other controlled sources. SMARTPLY also operates under an Integrated Pollution Prevention Control (IPPC) licence, which is monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Ireland.
Quality Assured
All SMARTPLY panels are manufactured in accordance with EN 300 performance standards.
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Highly Engineered
Manufactured to be incredible strong and highly versatile for a range of applications.
Sustainably Sourced
Our SMARTPLY OSB is manufactured using FSC®‑certified timber, and other controlled sources.
Industry-leading Passive House Timber Frame Developments
Citu, the purpose-driven developer, used SMARTPLY AIRTIGHT and SMARTPLY SURE STEP DB to construct 200 homes built to Passivhaus principles in Leeds. The highly engineered OSB panels from MEDITE SMARTPLY, a market-leading manufacturer of sustainable timber construction panels, allowed the houses to achieve airtightness levels of 0.6 Air Changes per Hour (ACH), the best scores in Citu’s history.
Products
Features
Versatile OSB/3 structural panel
Load-bearing in humid conditions
Reliable strength and stability
Consistent panel performance
Suitable for multiple applications
Features
Structural OSB/3 flooring panel
Tongue and groove edge profile
Strong and stable floor decking
Quick and secure installation
Suitable for humid conditions
Features
High-performance OSB/4 panel
Enhanced strength and durability
Improved moisture resistance
Designed for demanding applications
Ideal for offsite construction
Download Our Survey
Our full report, Framing the Future: The State of Timber Frame Construction captures responses from over 80 timber frame manufacturers working across residential, social housing and education.
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