Ask any builder what they want from a panel product, and fire safety and weather resistance are likely to be near the top of the list. In today’s building environment, it’s not enough for materials to just do the job – they’ve got to meet tougher building regulations, keep projects moving, and save time on site.

That’s why fire-retardant panels are becoming a must-have; compliance and client peace of mind matter more than ever. But here’s the trade-off; fire-retardant boards don’t like getting wet. Leave them exposed to the elements for long (which, let’s face it, happens all the time in the UK) and they can swell and warp, wasting both time and money.  On the other hand, water-resistant boards can handle the weather, with no need to tarp up every night or rush the roof on. But they won’t tick the fire-safety box.

That’s left a lot of builders asking the same question: Why can’t we have a board that does both?

That’s exactly the challenge we set out to solve and the result is DryGuard FR, the world’s first fire-retardant and water-resistant plywood panel, stocked by Premier Forest Products.

This unique plywood has been developed using groundbreaking technology pioneered by our partners and leading European manufacturer, Paged. DryGuard FR is the only plywood on the market that offers advanced water and fire protection in a single board, combining two essential features that builders have long wanted but never had access to, all in one solution.

Paged designed DryGuard FR to work across a wide range of projects, from large commercial or public sector settings such as schools, hospitals, airports and server rooms, through to domestic renovations and small-scale new builds. It’s a truly versatile solution that simplifies compliance without compromising on practical needs.

The product features a hydrophobic coating that significantly reduces moisture absorption (EN 927-5), and a fire classification of B-s1, d0 (EN 13501-1), the highest possible for wood. These characteristics make it ideal for use in demanding environments where safety and durability are non-negotiable.

DryGuard FR is CE1 certified, making it suitable for structural use in roofs, floors and walls.  The REACH-compliant coating resists rainwater while allowing the building to breathe, helping to prevent damp and mould (EN 927-3). This breathability is particularly important in domestic construction, where airtightness and insulation can create moisture challenges if materials aren’t correctly specified.

DryGuard FR builds on our original DryGuard plywood, which offers water resistance for up to 90 days. With the addition of fire retardancy, DryGuard FR delivers an in-demand upgrade, while maintaining all the benefits of the original, including reduced drying times, fewer delays, and the confidence to keep building even when the weather turns.

The core material, thickply Polish Pine, is sourced from responsibly managed forests and treated to slow water absorption without impacting structural integrity. It’s low in formaldehyde and VOC emissions and carries a Type III Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), supporting responsible and environmentally aware construction.

To support faster assembly and precision fitting on site, we offer custom sizing and rim shaping, as well as tongue-and-groove jointing for straightforward floor and roof installations, edge machining, hole drilling and milling.

DryGuard FR is the result of our collaboration with our customers across the UK and our commitment to solving real-world problems. It’s a world-exclusive product that sets a new standard in panel performance and is designed to give the trades exactly what they’ve been asking for: a board that does it all.