Cost, strength, are top two considerations for builders when sourcing OSB, finds survey by UK's Wood Panel Industries Federation; jobbing builders less concerned about environmental credentials than large homebuilding companies

Wendy Lisney

LOS ANGELES , September 20, 2013 (Industry Intelligence) – Cost and strength are the top two considerations for builders when purchasing OSB, a survey carried out by the UK's Wood Panel Industries Federation has found.

The survey was carried out over six months at builders' merchants across the U.K. as part of the federation's OSB promotion campaign JOSB Done, Builders Merchants' News reported on Sept. 18.

Information was gathered during a "Points On The Board" tour, which invited builders to test their footballing skills against an 8 ft. x 4 ft. OSB panel. During the contest, members of the campaign team spoke to builders and merchants about their experience of using and selling OSB.

Feedback showed that cost and strength are the top selling points, reported Builders Merchants' News. Ken Davis of Liberty Roofing Services in Bilston, West Midlands, said he always used OSB as it was strong and cheaper than plywood.

Dick Bloxham of North Oxfordshire Roofing said excess OSB could be stored for subsequent projects, and was easier to use than the alternatives as well as being more durable.

Builders were less concerned about sustainability and environmental considerations unless they worked for larger organizations, the survey found. Mathew Gartell of Jackson and Jackson in Lancashire cited a recent Green Deal project where tin cladding was removed from more than 250 houses and replaced with OSB. He said the panel was increasingly being specified for a wide range of jobs and was replacing other panels in a number of applications. He described the panel as strong, hard-wearing and cost-effective.

Chris Lee of Markey Construction in Gloucester said his company always used OSB for timber building and affordable housing, noting that it is listed by the Timber Research and Development Assn. and has all the correct certifications.

The federation's director general Alastair Kerr, who is spokesperson for the JOSB Done campaign, said the "Points On The Board" nationwide tour had provided a successful forum for conversations with UK builders, and had shown that OSB was becoming the panel of choice for a whole range of jobs for small building and maintenance contractors as well as homebuilders.

The primary source of this article is Builders' Merchants News, London, U.K., on Sept. 18, 2013.

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