Summary
• There is a new breed of technically advanced coatings and processes available to the timber industry.
• Factory-applied lacquer coating has been developed so that structural OSB boards can be used as a final floor finish.
• By adding value this way the merchant is more likely to secure repeat business.
OSB panels and boards are commodity products in the building industry and due to being both cost effective and sustainable remain a popular choice for both residential and commercial projects. Using treatments to enhance the properties of OSB panels is no new concept, but there is a new breed of technically advanced coatings and processes available to the timber and building industry that can cost effectively transform OSB board.
Developments in the timber processing and coatings market in the past have led to the creation of factory-applied Class 0 fire retardant films, anti-slip coatings and peel-off protective films to solve specific issues within the timber building trade. More recently a UV cured lacquer is being factory applied to OSB boards and panels to create an extremely hard wearing but aesthetically pleasing finish. The latest investment in OSB panel board processing applies the lacquer via roller coating technology to create a consistently high quality clear or opaque finish.
Basic OSB boards are a popular choice for creating structural decking throughout the build phase and this factory-applied lacquered coating has been developed so that the structural OSB boards can also be used as a cost effective final floor finish. Undoubtedly, pre-finished OSB boards are initially more expensive than raw panels, however, transforming the board into a decorative finished panel suitable as a final floor finish or as the platform for carpet and underlay, can save the developer and/or occupier other costs.
As with all technically advanced timber processes and coatings, the UV lacquer can be customised to meet specific customer or project requirements. For example, various depths of finish can be factory applied; a basic sealed finish consists of two lacquered coatings, is extremely cost effective and ideal for temporary structural flooring protection during the build programme. A more premium product consists of a ‘high build’ finish that may even feature a ‘peel off’ protective film, which is removed prior to final hand over. This final floor finish is perfect for student residences, social housing projects, temporary office accommodation or portable buildings.
Developed in the first instance for one of the UK’s leading panel board producers, pre-finished OSB, is available to leading merchants and distributors. In fact creating a partnership with a processing manufacturer is a great way for merchants and distributors to differentiate from competitors and offer customers bespoke solutions and quantities rather than simply supplying traditional OSB boards.
The addition of factory finishes or coatings produces premium products that can enhance merchants’ margins and is a low cost way to enhance a product portfolio. Having a comprehensive range of premium wood-based products to offer will further maximise a merchant’s chances of being able to fulfil customer requirements, increasing the sales potential.
By being innovative and adding value to a sale in this way the merchant is more likely to secure repeat business and customer loyalty. Well-trained counter sales staff are essential to be able to successfully make recommendations to customers on pre-finished options available for timber products. To refine this technique counter sales staff need to ask specific questions at the first point of contact with the customer, in order to draw out added value opportunities.
Support with recognising customer requirements can be provided by a processing manufacturer and the merchant should take full advantage of the free guidance available to ensure a completely satisfied customer. Choosing a finishing manufacturer that has a proven track record of collaborations with major panel board manufacturers, merchants and distributors can instil a sense of trust and reliability in the partnership. While flexibility and quick turnaround of orders should be a priority – as these benefits can be passed directly onto the merchant’s customers – stringent quality control procedures are essential to guarantee the consistency of products.
Furthermore, simplified procurement processes and robust supply chain mechanisms help a merchant to cope when there is an upturn in demand, thus protecting customer relationships. Opportunities for merchants and distributors to offer solutions to customers are plentiful and can transform the humble OSB building panel into a more value-added product.
