A leading UK supplier of timber frame and SIP building kits for providers of top end lodge manufacturers and garden room installers is employing SterlingOSB Zero, from the West Fraser range, due to the panel product’s outstanding accuracy, performance benefits and all-round sustainability credentials.
Established in 2018, Outerspace Group moved into a new purpose-built facility in 2022, facilitating an initial 10-fold increase in capacity and is now taking its rapid panel and kit supply service offering to new levels of efficiency and sophistication.
At the core of the flexible, flat-pack kits is the use of West Fraser’s 11mm thick SterlingOSB Zero to produce Structurally Insulated Panels, or SIPs, able to meet the full spectrum of build standards for lodges, pods, home offices and house extensions complying with the latest Part L of the Building Regulations.
The founder and CEO of Outerspace Group, Phil Jackson, commented,
“We have in the past trialled most brands of OSB on the market and West Fraser’s SterlingOSB Zero is the only one we have used to date which is a consistent size in terms of length, width, thickness and also of a high enough quality to meet the tolerances of our manufacturing process.
“The moulds in which the SIPs are created by injecting polyurethane foam require very high tolerances of 1.0 mm or less while we apply significant pressure on the SIP stack. If the boards are not perfectly aligned, when you join the SIPs at the end of the process, you will see a very visible gap on one side, where we are looking for pristine appearance and excellent acoustics as well as airtightness.”
The 11mm SterlingOSB Zero is used to make different thicknesses of SIPs rising from 72 to 97, 122, 147, 172 and 197mm; which are utilised in delivering Outerspace’s vast range of building kits.
Phil Jackson concluded:
“We praise SterlingOSB Zero for its 100% accuracy; companies in the leisure industry are increasingly recognising that SIPs offer a far faster and technically superior method of construction where they see less remedial work being needed after delivery due to movement. Also, our company is all about sustainability so West Fraser’s offer of a formaldehyde free, FSC product which comes from responsibly managed forests is very definitely appealing.
“We are looking to launch a training academy where client installation teams will come and learn about assembling SIPs.”
SterlingOSB Zero is available in a range of sizes and thicknesses up to 22mm as well as a T&G version ideal for flooring and decking applications. The high performance, panel product has also earned BBA approval and meets the requirements of NHBC Technical.
As is always the case, West Fraser’s experienced technical team is available to provide assistance with product specification, while downloadable data sheets are available at uk.westfraser.com
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit uk.westfraser.com