With 40% of small construction firms citing extreme weather or climate events as a cause of project delays, it’s clear that steps need to be taken ahead of the change of season. Here, Mike Tozer, National Housebuilding Account Manager at EGGER UK explores why winter build programmes need to proactively plan for weather risk – with a particular focus on structural flooring boards.

Already we are seeing the real-world impacts of climate change. Summers are getting hotter, with five official widespread heatwaves occurring across late Spring and Summer ‘26. Likewise, our Autumns and Winters are getting wetter. Recent research has shown that for every degree of global or regional warming, winter rainfall increases by a compounding 7%, increasing the risk of flooding. For example, November 2025 saw a UK rainfall that was 31% above average for the time of year, while early 2026 saw parts of the UK experience their wettest January on record. 

But what does this mean for housebuilders and their site teams? Looking at the figures, a significant 92.6% of construction managers working on UK and European projects have reported difficulties in the past year due to changing weather conditions. With just over three quarters (75.2%) citing extreme weather conditions as the cause of major delays. 

With the housebuilding sector already facing numerous headline challenges, including skilled labour shortages, rising costs and severe planning bottlenecks, project delays due to poor weather conditions are a challenge that housebuilders and developers should try and avoid. 

Just as motorists are encouraged to swap out summer tyres for winter tyres, housebuilders should be adapting their material and product choices for the wetter months.

Take structural flooring boards for example, an integral part of any build and a product that can be particularly vulnerable to poor weather conditions. Given that structural flooring tends to be installed early on in a construction project, and new homes will often not be made watertight until further on into the build, the boards will likely be exposed to the elements for an extended period of time, making them more susceptible to the weather. It’s because of this that the correct product specification is so important. 

Water damage

The majority of structural flooring boards are moisture resistant to some degree. However, the length of time they can be safely exposed to the elements, such as wind and rain, can differ. If the chipboard core becomes compromised, it can swell, warp and lose its structural strength. If this occurs, it’s not just the boards that require uplifting and replacing, but potentially also the studwork and joists. Resulting in additional costs, labour and time; all factors that likely won’t have been accounted for, causing further delays and expense to the build programme.

Increased slip risks 

Another thing to consider during the wetter winter months is the heightened site safety risks. With structural flooring boards being installed early on, they naturally can serve a secondary function as a working platform for weeks or even months, providing site teams with the means to carry on other works around them. In addition to the possibility of paint, plaster and other substances being spilled onto the floor, heavy and extended periods of rainfall can also make the surface wet, presenting a potential slip risk.

Things to look out for

These risks can be mitigated with smarter product specification. If your typical structural flooring board is one with a peelable top layer or single-sided laminated top layer, consider swapping this for a system that offers dual-sided protection. Providing enhanced moisture resistance, this can also help protect the joists and timber underneath too. It’s also worth looking for boards that have an extended exposure rating of up to 100 days, ensuring added peace of mind and project flexibility. Even if work does get rained off, there isn’t going to be the worry of product damage and replacement when activity resumes. 

To ensure site safety, even in the wetter weather, specifying flooring boards that have a Low Slip Potential is key to significantly minimise the chance of accidents or injuries. Boards are tested for slip resistance using a Pendulum Test under BS-7976-2, which provides a Pendulum Test Value (PTV). Values of 36 or above result in a Low Slip Potential being assigned to the product, values between 24 and 35 pose a moderate risk and anything under 24 is noted as having a High Slip Potential. By looking for these ratings, you can ensure your teams are kept as safe as possible on site all year round.