Building News is an information portal for all professional building specifiers. Here you can find all of the latest construction news from around the UK and the rest of the world.

UK’s number one lintel distributor puts customers first with £5m investment programme

Civils & Lintels, the UK’s largest steel lintel distributor, is making life easier for housebuilders across the country by opening four regional distribution hubs.

Civils & Lintels has committed more than £5 million to create four regional lintel distribution hubs – including new yards in Nottinghamshire and the South East.

This fresh investment increases capacity and ensures that the business always has £30m* plus of stock available to meet any needs customers may have – further enhancing service levels to the UK residential sector. Lintels will be available at high volumes and on time wherever in the country you are and with the great service that customers have come to expect.

A new facility has been set up at Kirkby-in-Ashfield and a further site in Erith converted solely to a Lintels platform – alongside investment in sites at Bolton and Westbury in Wiltshire – with all sites offering an impressive range of stock.

As a specialist lintels supplier, the Civils & Lintels teams are focussed on delivering not only excellent customer service, but the broadest depth of products from all key manufacturers so can assure customers that the products will be delivered on time and in full.

Reliable supplier

Civils & Lintels works with its many regional and national housebuilder customers to develop tailored delivery schedules and provide help and advice on the selection of the best lintels for each development. The lintels hubs can also offer plot-banded deliveries if requested. This provides housebuilders with the reliability they need to complete a build programme.

Bespoke fabrication

In addition to the technical knowledge that the teams have, Civils & Lintels will supply bespoke fabrication services through sister company Harvey Steel Lintels.

So, if the customers need something unique or extra heavy duty such as bespoke lintels or arches for a specialist project, Civils & Lintels will manufacture it for them without it leading to costly delays in the build as they offer shorter lead times than major competitors.

Customer commitment

Phil Sheldon, Head of Residential from Civils & Lintels, said:

“This investment reflects the ambition that Civils & Lintels has as a business in the UK housing sector.

“We are already the largest distributor of steel lintels in the country and this investment will not only mean that we can continue to offer the best products, but we can also be even more efficient and flexible with our service proposition ensuring our customer commitment is exceeded.

“Customers can rest assured that, as standards change to match legislation, Civils & Lintels continues to be at the forefront by ensuring that new products are stocked – for example, for Part L, thermally insulated lintels are available in volume.

“We also have a wider associated vertical product offering such as Lintel soffit cladding, wind posts, cavity trays, masonry support and roof windows. These are all available from Civils & Lintels to help ensure that our customers can get all they need for their project or build stage directly and conveniently from us.”

Civils & Lintels is dedicated to servicing the construction industry and

are proud partners of all the major manufacturers

including Birtley, Catnic, IG, Keystone & Naylor.

 

CLICK HERE To view all Civils & Lintels products

 

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Palace secures acquisition of former Norcros Adhesives brands

Palace Chemicals has cemented its market-leading position in the tiling sector by acquiring several brands formerly owned by Norcros Adhesives.

The move follows the collapse of Stoke-on-Trent based Norcros Adhesives earlier this year with the loss of 70 jobs.

As part of the acquisition deal, Palace has taken on a number of Norcros Adhesives’ popular brands, including Rock-Tite, Pro Gyp-Base, Ultim8 and NX.

Palace Chemicals, the UK’s leading independent manufacturer of tiling, construction and DIY products, has also ensured brand continuity and client confidence by appointing key former employees of Norcros Adhesives.

Jon Hall, who clocked up 10 years at Norcros Adhesives, joins Palace as a Technical Sales Manager, Rob Kyle, who spent 19 years at Norcros Adhesives, has been appointed as Key Account Director, while Bethan Bright has been newly appointed with various sales responsibilities across the Palace product range.

The three new recruits will work with Commercial Director Steve Ball and Sales Director Simon Clough to help propel Palace Chemicals towards its next exciting phase of growth, particularly its targeted expansion in the DIY market.

Steve said:

“The new team members will no doubt help move the business forward, with their unbeatable combination of experience, contacts and knowledge.

“We’re delighted to be able to offer these roles following the sad closure of Norcros Adhesives. The move will provide that added bond with clients of the Norcros Adhesives brands that we’ve acquired.

“The new appointees will be joining an already successful and capable customer-facing team and will collectively help us continue to demonstrate the capability and quality that Palace Chemicals has proven to the market for well over 40 years.”

The former Norcros Adhesives brands now under the Palace umbrella will add weight to the Liverpool firm’s stable of products, which already includes more than 250 items.

Rock-Tite is a system for fixing porcelain tiles in external locations; Pro Gyp-Base enables rapid tiling over anhydrite screeds; Ultim8 is a brand of ready-mixed tile adhesives; and NX is a popular mixed range of tile adhesives.

Rob Kyle, 58, who has spent 44 years in the tiling industry, said:

“I’m always up for a challenge – challenges are what makes the world go round. A challenge at 18 is the same as the challenge at 58 – you’ve got to have something to get your teeth into.”

CLICK HERE

  

To discover the full range of tiling, commercial and DIY products manufactured by Palace

 

 

 

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Clarity called for on safety mark announcement

Decision to indefinitely suspend the replacement of an EU product designation for safety testing with new UK version is not expected to apply to HVAC and construction goods

Manufacturers of construction and HVAC products are calling for urgent clarity from the government about the future use of the EU’s CE safety mark on their products.

The government this week announced that is has indefinitely suspended plans to introduce a new UKCA marking for a number of industries to show compliance with safety standards. This scheme was devised to replace the CE mark as part of a post-Brexit plan for certification and testing.

However, the announcement was unclear whether this suspension of the UKCA mark for industries working under the remit of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) would also apply to the construction and HVAC sectors.

This UKCA mark was originally intended to be mandatory on all goods sold in the UK from 2022, but these requirements were eventually delayed until 2025. The decision was taken to address concerns from industry specialists about the testing capacity within the UK to obtain the right approvals to ensure goods could continue to be sold in the country by the deadline.

‘Ambiguity’ for construction and HVAC product makers

A range of trade bodies representing manufacturers of components and systems required by the building engineering and construction sectors have warned that there is continued ambiguity about whether they will still need to ensure the UKCA is present on its products by 2025. This clarification should also determine if a valid CE mark would otherwise be sufficient to show safety compliance on the UK market.

Actuate UK, an alliance of engineering services trade bodies including manufacturers, testing specialists and contractors, has warned that any continued ambiguity on the certification requirements could be detrimental to the industry and public confidence in the safety of its products.

Chris Yates, chief executive of Actuate UK member the Federation of Environmental Trade Associations (FETA), said the announcement failed to address uncertainty about product testing and compliance for its members.

Mr Yates said that the announcement on suspending the implementation of the UKCA mark as a mandatory requirement for products sold in the country was only for a range of goods overseen by the DBT. It would not therefore apply to many construction goods.

He added:

“The industry has already made significant investment to make the move to UKCA and manufacturers had to decided which construction products to put on the market based on approval costs.”

It would now be crucial for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to decide whether it will remove the requirement for all construction and HVAC products to carry a valid UKCA mark by 30 June 2025.

Nick Mellor, managing director of Actuate UK member, the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), said that the DBT statement meant it was now possible for lifts and other machinery produced by its members to carry the CE Mark indefinitely beyond 2024. This was seen as a welcome development for the sector.  However, Mr Mellor said that a more comprehensive strategy was now needed with regards to UK testing requirements for all goods manufactured and sold in the country.

Other groups representing the construction sector have also called for the government to be clear on future plans for safety certification.

The Construction Products Association (CPA) said there was frustration and uncertainty among manufacturers of a range of products including HVAC equipment and components about requirements to carry the UKCA mark.

The association said it was obliged to continue to advise its members to prepare and ensure their goods can carry the UKCA mark to ensure they can continue to be sold in the country beyond the summer of 2025.

This advice would remain until the government can confirm it would be extending recognition of valid CE marks to other industries outside of the scope of the DBT.

Other critical concerns for the association was whether there would be sufficient testing capacity in the UK to ensure goods can carry a UKCA valid mark. It also has warned about the costs and regulatory burden for manufacturers to carry separate safety marks for products provided both in the UK and EU.

This uncertainty had led to some manufacturers announcing intentions to pull some products from the UK market, the CPA added.

CPA chief executive Peter Caplehorn said that the DLUHC had clarified that the announcement about the indefinite extension of the CE mark would not pertain to products produced for use in construction and the built environment sector.

He said:

“The situation for our sector remains the same; that is, recognition of the CE mark for construction products in Great Britain will continue until 30 June 2025, when implementation of the UKCA marking scheme is set to become mandatory.”

“We fear that policy makers do not fully understand or appreciate the gravity of this policy position not only for our sector and the construction industry, but indeed for any government ambitions related to the UK’s housing, schools, hospitals, infrastructure and wider built environment.

Mr Caplehorn said he hoped to see the government commit to further discussions with the industry on addressing concerns about certification and safety marks.

He added:

“The CPA has long argued that every day that manufacturers have to wait for clarification from government causes more damage.  This uncertainty has exacerbated product availability issues, led to UK and foreign manufacturers pulling products from the UK market, diminished investment and R&D, and therefore negatively impacted jobs and the ability of the product sector to support the UK construction industry every day.”

“We hope that the announcement reflects a new appreciation by policy makers of the cost and burden caused by the UKCA Mark scheme.”

Source: H&V News

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Marano Integrated: the new modular fencing range from F.H. Brundle

Marano Integrated is the latest addition to F.H. Brundle’s stylish aluminium fencing range.

This versatile system consists of boards, screens, posts and inserts that can provide either total privacy, or boards with 25mm gaps between them. Multiple spacers can also be used to create larger spaces between boards.

In common with the broader Marano range, Marano Integrated is long-lasting, requires extremely little maintenance, and is therefore highly cost-effective.

The system’s posts have been specially designed for Marano Integrated, measuring 80 x 80mm, with a narrow 20.6mm slot on two sides, and an extra wide slot on the third side. The post can be used as an intermediate, corner, end and T-post by adding or removing extrusions.

The Marano Integrated infill range consists of four hollow sections – one 55mm section (Half Round system), a 50mm rectangular section (Parallel 50 system), a 100mm rectangular section (Parallel 100 system), and one that features a tongue and groove (Connect 150 system).

But perhaps the range’s most notable feature is its decorative screens, made of lasered aluminium sheeting.

These attractive additions can be incorporated in several ways. The full height 1825mm screens, measuring 300 or 1000mm wide, can be used in conjunction with the Half Round, Parallel 50, Parallel 100 and Connect 150 systems, and can be installed either horizontally or vertically. Alternatively, you could build a fence using only the screens.

The boards are available in four colours, with a stylish matt finish – basalt grey, pebble grey, beige grey and black sand, as well as two wood effect finishes in oak or grey.

Mill finish is also available, allowing you to powder coat to any RAL colour.

Lightweight and easy to fit, the design possibilities are endless with this truly versatile system.

To find out more call 01708 398048

or visit www.fhbrundle.co.uk

 

 

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AIM’S CAVITY BARRIERS SELECTED FOR ‘PATH-BREAKING’ UNIVERSITY ACCOMMODATION

AIM (Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing) has supplied Wall Cavity Barriers and open state cavity barriers (OSCBs), along with technical support, for a ‘path-breaking’, 900-room student accommodation development at the University of West England Bristol’s Frenchay Campus.

 

The new-build, low-carbon design development, which includes three buildings, six stories high, is to help meet demand from students for high-quality on-campus accommodation.   The first rooms will be available from September 2023.  Designed by Stride Treglown, the project’s main contractor is Vinci Construction.

AIM worked with Maple Sunscreening on the rainscreen façade system assembly from the ground floor upwards, which is mainly cassette panels with AIM’s OSCBs incorporated horizontally and AIM’s Wall Cavity Barriers installed vertically.

Maple is a leading designer, manufacturer and installer of solar shading, weather protection and screening for building exteriors and interiors – best known for architectural façades, louvres, brise soleil and rainscreen cladding systems.

AIM also supplied and supported installers Sandford Building Contractors during the construction of the extruded polystyrene (XPS) filled sub-floor cavity, which included a layer of AIM’s Wall Cavity Barriers directly above the XPS, and all two masonry storeys.

AIM won the business after supplying barrier samples for BS 8414 mock up fire testing, which was successful.  AIM’s products were supplied through SIG Manchester.

On multiple occasions, AIM attended site to provide product training and technical assistance.

Joe Hemming, senior project manager for Maple Sunscreening said,

“Maple’s commitment to the highest level of quality installation and recording has proved vital in maintaining confidence with the client, to date Maple’s on-site team have worked closely with AIM and the client to deliver product training with certification for over 60 operatives and managers currently work on this project.  This is now reflecting within Maple’s and AIM’s quality audits.”

 

Designed for use within ventilated rainscreen facades and timber frame cladding systems, AIM’s OSCBs allow free airflow and drainage and improve fire safety, providing fire resistance of up to two hours insulation and integrity in suitably supporting structures.  In the event of a fire, heat activates an intumescent strip which expands quickly to fully close the cavity.

Manufactured from high density Rockwool stone wool and faced with the higher performance intumescent strip, AIM’s OSCB range provides either a 60 or 120-minute rating for both integrity and insulation.  The OSCBs are an effective barrier to the passage of hot smoke as well as fire.  The AIM range has been tested to TGD 19 and the general principles of BS EN 1363-1.  They have been exposed to BS 8414 Fire performance of external cladding systems fire tests and assessed to BR135 to achieve pass results with a variety of third-party cladding systems.  The range has been tested in masonry constructions to establish the performance of the product itself and non-standard constructions representing site conditions.

AIM Wall Cavity Barriers are made from foil faced high density Rockwool stone wool and are suitable for use in all masonry cavity walls, as well as for fire stopping between a masonry curtain wall system and a concrete floor slab.  The barriers prevent the passage of heat, flame and smoke within the cavity they fill for one- or two-hour fire-resistance rating periods.  They are tested to BS 476-20.  The barriers also reduce airborne transmission of sound by a minimum of 21db Rw.

William Liew, Chief Financial Officer of UWE Bristol, has described the new accommodation as a “path-breaking project which will set new standards for sustainable development at-scale and provide accommodation and social facilities of the highest standard for our students.”

UK-based AIM (Acoustic & Insulation Manufacturing) has over 30 years-experience in the design, testing and manufacturing of high-quality fire, thermal and acoustic barriers.  The company produces a wide variety of bespoke insulation products to customer specification and a range of standard fire, thermal and acoustic insulation products.

WEB LINKS

www.aimlimited.co.uk

www.uwe.ac.uk

www.vinci-building.co.uk

www.maplesunscreening.co.uk

www.sandfordbuilding.co.uk

 

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Natural Ventilation is a Breath of Fresh Air

Want to breathe new life into a stuffy indoor space with cost-effective natural ventilation? The answer could be to keep things simple, according to Strand Hardware, which recommends two key steps to assess requirements and identify the right solution.

Step one requires a bigger picture view: its essential to consider the building’s conditions and orientation – its size, location, positioning and wider environment. This will indicate wind velocity and direction which is needed to optimise air flow and exhaust emissions from inside the premises.

Knowing how the building is to be used, its construction and internal layout (including partitions, doors and chimneys) is also vital, along with window sizing, location, fabric and an understanding of how they function.

Budget is a primary consideration but the beauty of natural ventilation is that it can be achieved without breaking the bank. Manual systems offer the ultimate cost-effective option. Unlike integrated powered systems, they require little by way of capital investment. They are also easier to use and maintain.

Step two of the assessment requires specifics: sufficient detail to identify the products and quantities needed:

  • the number of windows requiring openers
  • window material: aluminium, timber or PVC-U construction
  • window configuration: top/hung, side/hung, bottom hung opening in or out
  • window opening width and height.
  • Window location from finished floor level

Craig Fox, Sales Director for Strand Hardware, said that manual solutions offer a cost effective way of operating windows to provide natural ventilation for new build or existing buildings.

 

“Strand’s Duoflex range is frequently installed in workplaces, offices, hospitals and educational establishments which benefit from natural ventilation.

“Providing a system that is safe and easy-to-use is essential. Health and safety requirements should be considered so that if windows are at a height, people will not be tempted to over-reach or stand on a chair in order to access them,” he said.

 

Other products may be used to optimise the solution. Building orientation and its levels of sun, shade and wind direction will determine if they are needed. For example, buildings with double aspects, a large run of windows or large glazed panels, may benefit from reflective film or blinds to prevent the ‘greenhouse effect’.

While those within a densely built environments, such as town centres with tall buildings, or premises with fewer opening windows, may require electrically driven operators, fans/filters to improve air flow and quality.

In just two simple steps, you can say goodbye to stuffy air and hello to comfort and well-being. Get ready to take a deep breath and transform your space into the ultimate sanctuary of freshness and vitality.

For more information   CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBSITE

  

 or CLICK HERE to email Strand Hardware

 

or call: 01922 639111

 

 

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The UK Government’s biggest cladding funding scheme

The Skills Centre welcomes the UK Government’s biggest cladding funding scheme

 

One of the UK’s leading construction skills training companies The Skills Centre, which is currently running specialist cladding skills bootcamps in London, welcomes the announcement that the UK government will be providing more funding for cladding removal.

 

Jon Howlin, CEO The Skills Centre, says:

“This is great step for building safety in the UK and will hopefully bring some comfort to those whose properties are affected by removing burden of funding remedial works..

“However, there is still a huge shortfall in trained personnel to complete the works safely. Continued investment in building the workforce is required to ensure remedial works are completed by individuals with the correct training and experience. For those interested in entering construction, this is a great opportunity to specialise from the start, and with funding in place, and 30 years of buildings to retrofit, there are great career opportunities in cladding.

“To open the doors to these opportunities, The Skills Centre has led a collaboration with The Greater London Authority, CITB and leading employers to design a bespoke, 7-week bootcamp. Delivered from our specialist facility near Stratford, the newly launched programme provides learners with the specialist skills, knowledge and, crucially, site experience they need to start making the UK’s buildings safer for everyone.

Employers or learners interested in taking part can learn more online

  

CLICK HERE

 

 

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Secure your building’s future with SFS

SFS UK, an expert in the construction industry, is focused on creating innovative systems that provide robust solutions for fixing, fastening, and protecting construction workers and buildings.  Headquartered in Leeds, SFS has been a longstanding manufacturer of fasteners for over a century. This rich heritage has resulted in an unwavering commitment to architects, designers, consulting engineers, and contractors, offering quality products, innovative design, tailored technical solutions, and outstanding service.

 

As well as developing industry-leading products, SFS is committed to working with customers to deliver expert technical training and innovative solutions that ensure a building’s longevity.  Conscious of the challenges involved in working at heights, SFS places the utmost importance on the well-being of customers’ employees.  A comprehensive range of forward-thinking fall protection systems, accompanied by top-notch training programmes, ensures that every individual is equipped with practical skills for working at height.  The outstanding offer from SFS continues with reliable aftercare and a rare manufacturer’s warranty of up to 40 years.

 

Whether it is industrial warehouses or iconic architectural masterpieces, such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in Dundee or London’s Olympic Velodrome, SFS approaches each project with meticulous care and dedication, ensuring that every building fulfils its purpose and stands the test of time.

CLICK HERE for further information

 

OR call 0330 0555888

 

 

 

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CaberMDF, a reliable all rounder

As the UK’s foremost wood panel product supplier, West Fraser manufactures several grades of CaberMDF to meet the wide variety of demands across the construction and related industries, with these ranging from creating architraves for door surrounds to highly detailed decorative profiles and heavier duty uses.

The timber specialist’s CaberMDF Trade is suitable for general purposes where simple profiles are required, as is its Trade MR; while the moisture resisting properties will suit humid conditions in bathrooms and other wet areas.

The Pro is ideal for the volume manufacture of various mouldings such as  door panels, skirtings and architraves, while the Pro MR can be used in atmospheres where moisture is prevalent such as in kitchens and bathrooms. Then West Fraser’s CaberMDF Industrial is the most versatile type overall as it can meet most technical requirements, including facilitating deep routed profiles for membrane-pressed PVC doors, as well as designs which require advanced routed profiles as well as receiving high quality painted finishes.

To summarise the West Fraser options: CaberMDF is available in five main grades: Trade, Pro, Trade Moisture Resistant, Pro Moisture Resistant and Industrial. Colour is meanwhile used as a means of identification between the MR and non-MR grades and does not correlate to the boards’ other performance parameters.  Trade, Pro and Industrial grades are the traditional ‘sandy’ colour, whereas Pro Moisture Resistant and Trade Moisture Resistant are distinguished by a green hue.

When decorating MDF, oil-based paint is best as the material is less absorbent and customers like the quality of finish which can be achieved on the very smooth surfaces that machining leaves.  Then in terms of fixing, most types of screws can be used, although the best results are obtained with parallel thread screws.

All wood-related products – including MDF – create dust when sawing, drilling and machining, so appropriate PPE, including masks, and good ventilation are vital.  Another health and safety consideration for the sector is the effects of formaldehyde content: where, reassuringly, CaberMDF complies with all the requirements of the latest E1 definition for the chemical when tested according to EN120.

CLICK HERE For further information or call 01786 812 921

 

 

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Why MEDITE SMARTPLY offers the best alternatives to plywood

Due to its ongoing support for the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the UK has announced a new package of additional sanctions on Belarus. The announcement made on 8th June 2023, states that any imports of wood, gold, cement, and rubber from the country is prohibited.[1] This is in addition to the £60m package of sanctions the UK already has against Belarus. So what does this mean for the timber industry?

 

With a new package being imposed on top of the current sanctions still in place, importing wood – especially birch plywood – remains a challenge for the UK. This means merchants and manufacturers face supply issues and are looking to import wood from elsewhere. However, this can lead to a risk of illegally importing wood into the UK. Timber Development UK has warned that despite the ban on importing wood products from Russia and Belarus, some of it is still being arriving in the country because they are falsely marketed as being sourced from other countries such as China.[2]

 

However, merchants and suppliers in the UK and Ireland don’t have to look far for wood products. MEDITE SMARTPLY offers the perfect alternative, thanks to our extensive range of versatile, environmentally conscious products.

Why should you choose MEDITE SMARTPLY?

Merchants and suppliers can get great peace of mind in choosing MEDITE SMARTPLY products. Our MDF and OSB ranges are not only locally sourced but are also fully FSC certified. It’s important to remember that the FSC International Board of Directors has agreed to suspend all trading certificates in Russia and Belarus until the invasion ends.[3]

 

SMARTPLY OSB and MEDITE MDF are made from sustainable wood products from our very own Coillte forests in Ireland. Our MEDITE manufacturing site is based in Clonmel, while our SMARTPLY factory is based in Waterford. This means that we can offer a dependable, local supply, which helps to reduce the carbon footprint for timber merchants and suppliers.

 

Our OSB is made from newly grown pine and spruce. Our MDF timber content consists of 40% wood logs and 60% wood chips, a by-product from Irish sawmills. Each range boasts some of the most environmentally efficient building materials on the market, with a product-specific Type 3 Environmental Product Declaration to support this.

 

MDF and OSB applications

Those looking for alternatives to using birch plywood or similar wood types in furniture or interior fit-out applications, will find solutions in the versatile MEDITE MDF range. For example, those working on kitchen or bathroom projects will find MEDITE MR and MEDITE OPTIMA suitable products thanks to its moisture resistance properties. For environmentally sensitive interior applications, such as nurseries and museums where formaldehyde emissions need to be kept to the minimum, there is MEDITE CLEAR, an MDF panel manufactured with no added formaldehyde.

 

Our robust range of OSB products also offer great alternatives to other wood and wood-based products in construction projects. We produce two grades of SMARTPLY: OSB/3 and OSB/4. SMARTPLY MAX is an OSB/3 panel that is suitable for use in, walls, floors and roofing systems. Where increased strength and moisture resistance is needed, there is SMARTPLY ULTIMA – a high strength OSB/4 panel.

For great peace of mind choose MEDITE SMARTPLY CLICK HERE

 

 

 

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