Scott Wolters, Building Products Sales Director at EGGER UK, explores the structural flooring solutions available.
Whilst there are many options available when it comes to structural flooring systems, including beam and block, concrete slabs and suspended timber floors, chipboard-based structural flooring boards remain a popular choice and are often seen on housing developments. This form of structural flooring comes with numerous benefits, from durability and ease of installation (which we’ll explore in more detail later), to sustainability, with wood being an inherently renewable material.
Advantages of chipboard structural flooring
There are numerous advantages to flooring manufactured from P5 chipboard, including moisture–resistance and load bearing capabilities. Chipboard is also a sustainable choice, often containing a large portion of recycled content. As well as prolonging the lifespan of waste wood that would otherwise be burnt or sent to landfill, this locks in the CO2 that is captured during the growth of the tree for longer.
Applications
You’ll know all too well the wide range of installation and customer requirements that you may encounter on a project. Fortunately, there are a number of structural flooring options available that can meet these requirements, with P5 chipboard at their core.
Standard uncoated P5 chipboard is ideal for internal applications, from structural DIY projects to refurbishments and loft extensions. However, it is important to remember that uncoated P5 chipboard should be laid in dry conditions only.
For projects where structural flooring will be left exposed to the elements, there are particleboards available, such as EGGER Peel Clean Xtra, with a slip-resistant, peelable film top layer. This easy-to-peel film helps prevent moisture ingress from inclement weather and provides protection from second fix and finishing trades, such as painting or plastering. Once work is completed, the peelable layer can be easily removed, leaving behind a clean flooring surface.
For customers who want the highest product specification, consider installing a structural flooring board that incorporates a permanent, thermally bonded and hard-wearing surface layer on both sides. For example, our EGGER Protect boards can be left exposed to the elements for up to 60 days and provide an anti-slip and hard-wearing surface that also protects against wear and tear from site traffic. As well as preventing moisture ingress from wet weather during the build, this product also offers protection against leaking pipes once construction is complete. These boards are ideal for new-build or timber frame homes where the roof is yet to be installed and are even suitable for use with underfloor heating systems.
Sustainability
We all want to do our bit for the environment and be mindful of our carbon footprint. By considering the green credentials of building products installed on site, you are able to demonstrate this awareness to customers and clients.
While some wood-based structural flooring boards are manufactured from 100% virgin wood, consider looking for more sustainable options that incorporate recycled material and sawmill by-products too, such as hackchips and sawdust.
Installation
Ensuring the correct installation of structural flooring is a key priority on any build. Always ensure you follow the recommended fitting guidance provided with the boards, as these are critical to the validity of performance guarantees.
For the best quality install, we always recommend using a combination of joint and joist adhesive and mechanical fixings, with the adhesive applied to all edges of the first row of boards and joists, with one mechanical fixing used per joist along the perimeter edge. Moving across the floor, adhesive should continue to be applied in the tongue and groove of each board, as well as following the fixing pattern every 1200mm using mechanical fixings. We recommend that one bottle of adhesive is used per six boards, with it visibly foaming out between the boards. Once the adhesive has dried and the building is made fully watertight, any excess adhesive can be removed with a scraper.
To give optimum strength and longevity to the overall floor, boards should be staggered, with a configuration similar to a brick bond laying pattern, and expansion gaps left against all walls. Boards with a tongue and groove profile can help to ensure a consistent joint, with the boards locking together, providing enhanced structural integrity.
At EGGER, we are also proud to offer a lifetime guarantee that covers the structural integrity of our Advanced Structural Flooring Boards, when installed using our recommended fitting method.
For more information on EGGER’s Advanced Structural Flooring Boards visit: https://support.egger.com/hc/en-us/sections/360005063017-Advanced-Structural-Flooring-System
