STRUCTAflor particleboard flooring is the number one choice of most Australian builders – making it the most trusted brand in particleboard flooring with an enviable reputation in the building industry.
Australian Panels STRUCTAflor flooring range is backed by 50 years of trust, innovation, and dedication to the Australian building industry's ever-changing lifestyle and construction requirements. The proven performance of STRUCTAflor GP, STRUCTAflor H2, and R-flor makes them the obvious choice in flooring for builders.
STRUCTAflor particleboard flooring with its distinctive colour-coded tongue YELLOWtongue, REDtongue and BLUEtongue brands are the leading sheet flooring product in its class with proven reliability and durability, rich history, achievements, and its enduring commitment to quality and sustainability.
50 YEARS OF TRUST
Australian Panels Oberon facilities boast Australia’s newest and largest particleboard line and pine harvesting operations through Plantation Pine Products.
The town of Oberon has a long and close association with the timber industry and is a vital link to the history of Australian Panels and the STRUCTAflor range of products.
Flooring in the early 1900’s was largely rammed earth but due to issues with rising damp and other varied issues, timber subfloors were developed to sit off the ground and enable air to circulate underneath to reduce moisture buildup.
Hardwood timber strip flooring was initially widely used but due to depleting hardwood resources, time to install plus the development of floor coverings such as carpet and linoleum a cheaper alternative for the subfloor, such as particleboard flooring became an option.
In 1929 The Forestry Commission of NSW recognised the suitability of the Oberon district for the growing of softwoods, and the first pines were planted.
As hardwood areas ran out, they were replanted with Pinus Radiata by the Forestry Commission, and this was the foundation of the timber industry in Oberon. Pine planting was done as Depression relief work - largely to supply Australia’s needs for timber post-war to reduce requirements to import timber.
The Birth of a Vision
The Forestry Commission put out a tender to purchase the thinning’s from the plantation pine forest which subsequently led to the building of the first particleboard mill in Oberon in 1961.
The first particleboard flooring material produced out of the Oberon mill in 1973 was produced from wood particles, such as wood chips and sawdust, bound together using adhesive resins and then compressed to form a dense, rigid board.
The original particleboard was not moisture resistant so had to be installed after a house was built. The board had a tongue and groove system which was machined into the edges of the board.
After further improvements, advances in resin technology enabled the particleboard to be laid prior to the walls and roof being installed, the machined tongue and groove were also replaced with a machined groove and a plastic tongue inserted into the groove, and the iconic YELLOWtongue particleboard was born.
Expanding Horizons
Over the course of its first decade, the company focused on research and development, fine-tuning its production processes, and perfecting its signature particleboard. Over time, variations of the particleboard product range began to diversify and develop under the STRUCTAflor brand to cater to a wider spectrum of construction needs. This dedication to excellence laid the foundation for its future success.
Embracing Technology
The company has continually invested in state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, ensuring precision and consistency in its products. And just as they were the first product of their kind on the market, 50 years later they continue to lead the way in innovation and development of flooring solutions.
OUR LEADING BRANDS
STRUCTAflor General Purpose, STRUCTAflor H2 Termite Protected, and R-flor Radiant Barrier Flooring offer a practical, flexible, and cost-effective choice when building a new home or extension. With an extensive range of options, they are ideal for: sub-floors, suspended floors in multi-story construction, additions and extensions, and commercial flooring; as well as a host of building applications.
Designed to provide a total flooring concept, STRUCTAflor GP, STRUCTAflor H2 and R-flor are particularly suited to platform construction where the floor is laid prior to the erection of walls.
They are made from precision-milled wood flakes and bonded with moisture-resistant resin. For additional protection during construction and exposure to weather, the upper surface is resin-enriched and all edges of the tongue and grooved sheets are coated with wax.
STRUCTAflor flooring systems provide cost savings through their economy and lighter construction. They reduce foundation costs and reduce construction times since only dry trades are used.
Along with its hardwearing surface and edge wax coat, it is easily identified by its distinctive colour-coded tongue inserts which denote the YELLOWtongue, REDtongue and BLUEtongue brands.
A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
STRUCTAflor has continued its unwavering commitment to sustainability. It has actively participated in initiatives aimed at reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry. The company's efforts in developing low-formaldehyde emission boards and utilising reclaimed wood sources have solidified its reputation as an environmentally conscious industry leader.
The STRUCTAflor particleboard flooring range is made using timber grown and harvested from managed, renewable Plantation Pine.
An Australian-owned and vertically integrated business, Plantation Pine Products offers full-service bespoke forestry management services. From leasing and buying land, purchasing of trees, logs, and residues, transportation, plantation management, and harvesting, through to sales, marketing, and delivery for remanufacture in Australia.
Plantation Pine Products a Borg Company, is committed to eco-friendly and sustainable practices, effectively enabling vertical integration and a closed-loop manufacturing process.
Not only is this cost-effective and allows for affordable products and services, but vertical integration also benefits the environment. Ensuring the production of the highest quality product in the most cost-effective manufacturing processes is integral to Australian Panel's intent of delivering superior value to its customers.
50 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Quality Assurance: STRUCTAflor’s dedication to quality has earned it numerous certifications and awards over the years. The product is certified to Australian Standard 1860.1 Structural particleboard flooring, and YELLOWtongue is also independently certified as a structural bracing panel product.
Collaborative Partnerships: STRUCTAflor has collaborated with architects, designers, and builders across Australia on iconic projects. Its particleboard flooring range has been used in some of the nation's most prestigious buildings. Every person in Australia at some stage in their life will be walking on top of STRUCTAflor.
Sustainability Milestones: STRUCTAflor has consistently achieved sustainability milestones, including reducing waste to landfill. Material from consumers such as frames and trusses which would normally be treated as waste and go to landfill is now recycled back into the production of STRUCTAflor.
Community Engagement: STRUCTAflor has been an active participant in community initiatives, supporting local charities and promoting education on sustainable building practices
A PARTNER YOU CAN TRUST
In the building business, your reputation is only as good as the materials you use. That is why when it comes to structural particleboard flooring, you need a product you can trust and a partner you can rely on to keep pace with ever-changing lifestyle and construction requirements. After 50 years of dedicated production and innovation, the STRUCTAflor range remains the number one choice for Australian builders.
LOOKING FORWARD: THE NEXT 50 YEARS
As STRUCTAflor celebrates its first half-century, it is poised for an even brighter future. With a continued focus on innovation, sustainability, and quality, the brand is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of the construction industry.
STRUCTAflor’s journey over the past 50 years is a testament to its resilience, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the use of recycled materials. As we look ahead to the next 50 years, this iconic Australian brand will undoubtedly continue to shape the Australian construction landscape, leaving a legacy of sustainable, high-quality building materials for generations to come.
Click here for more information on Plantation Pine Products, or here to learn about Australian Panel's commitment to manufacturing a sustainable future.