As at previous shows, TRADA was running these four times daily, taking in around 16 stands in an hour.
"We can’t give in depth details, but can highlight latest developments and demonstrate that there’s a lot happening in timber," said TRADA marketing manager Rupert Scott.
The itinerary began with Norbord, where he picked out different timber frame wall panel approaches incorporating its OSB sheathing designed to meet the criteria of the UK Timber Frame Association Site Safe scheme.
"The scheme sets parameters for levels of product fire resistance required in timber frame, relative to separation distances from other buildings," said Mr Scott.
The Norbord products ranged from a standard open panel, to the ultimate "Category C" , incorporating a layer of magnesium oxide board.
At the GreenSteps stand, the focus was Dendrolight, the wood panel comprising a grid of very thin lamellas, to give a material 40% lighter than solid timber and at Arnold Laver its Kota pre-coated, UV-resistant MDF.
The capacity for modification to open up new applications for timber was illustrated with Ecochoice’s weather resistant heat-treated Platowood, water-resistant acetylated Medite Tricoya MDF and Accsys’s Accoya acetylated softwood.
The tour also highlighted the ability of modern wood windows, including those from Wood Window Alliance members, to achieve highest security and energy ratings and, in the Austrian pavilion, the structural capabilities of latest engineered wood products.
TRADA also took the opportunity to describe its own technical and information role.
Among tour participants, architect Janet Cotterell of timber-oriented Passivhaus Homes said it provided "valuable insight into latest developments".
