January 2 2007 - Norbord takes to the floor in Stepney
January 2 2007, Norbord takes to the floor in Stepney
Leading engineered wood-based panel manufacturer Norbord has supplied its Caberdek moisture-resistant particleboard for all the floors at Harford Street in Stepney, East London – currently the largest development of timber framed, mixed-use buildings under construction in London. The development, by housebuilder Bellway Homes and registered social landlord East Choice Housing, is being built using pre-manufactured timber frame components from Stewart Milne Timber Systems, one of the UK’s largest timber frame suppliers.
 

Leading engineered wood-based panel manufacturer Norbord has supplied its Caberdek moisture-resistant particleboard for all the floors at Harford Street, Stepney, East London – currently the largest development of timber framed mixed-use buildings under construction in London.

The development, by housebuilder Bellway Homes and registered social landlord East Choice Housing, is being built using pre-manufactured timber frame components from Stewart Milne Timber Systems (SMTS) who are the UK’s largest timber frame suppliers.

The timber frame components are manufactured at SMTS’s factory in Witney, Oxfordshire, and are delivered to site ready for installation. The flooring comprises Caberdek P5 moisture-resistant particleboard supported on composite timber I-beams. This is delivered directly to site by Norbord supplier Encon.

“SMTS has been using Caberdek flooring for many years now”, comments Norbord Technical Sales Manager Jim Caldwell. “It is a premium product and increasingly housebuilders are discovering the benefits of using it”, he says.

Caberdek P5 gives additional protection against the effects of water ingress and is resistant even when exposed to the elements during the construction process. While Norbord recommends minimal exposure during construction, weather exposure tests at the company’s Cowie plant showed no significant deterioration of the board for up to 90 days.

A waterproof slip-resistant film bonded to the 18mm or 22mm board not only repels moisture, but also protects the board until the building is weather-proofed. “The great thing is that following trades can come in and carry out all works and when finished they simply peel off the protective film to reveal a pristine floor”, says Mr Caldwell. Norbord also supplies special Caberdek fixing kits which include fixing tape to ensure waterproof joints, and a structural Caberdek Fastfix adhesive to help eliminate risk of floor creak and strengthen the floor diaphragm.

Caberdek is BBA-approved and its non-slip qualities make it a safer choice for working environments. When correctly installed, Caberdek helps protect against slips and trips and can help ensure compliance with the requirements of the recently-introduce Work at Height Regulations.

At Harford Street, Caberdek is used in all buildings, most of which are residential development totalling 532 units. These comprise 34 two and three-storey houses plus five apartment blocks providing 498 one and two-bed flats. There is also a new community building and open spaces for public recreation, including a new accessible waterfront area on the Regent’s Canal.

Erection of the timber frames began in the Spring and delivery of the frame components and Caberdek flooring was phased in over the summer. The project is due for completion by September 2007.