Design, build, protect.
The practical guide to building projects that last.
Water, corrosion and moisture are the silent enemies of every timber structure.
The effects often remain hidden until years after completion, when responsibility still lies with the project team.
Drawing on real failures, laboratory testing and experience from complex construction projects, the Rothoblaas Smartbook: CONSTRUCTION SITE, WATER, DURABILITY is a technical resource that helps you design and build to last.
What can go wrong – and how to prevent it.
Accelerated corrosion, undetected water ingress and damage caused during handling on site: in dry construction, every mistake is concealed beneath the surface of the building. By the time the damage becomes visible, it's too late.
The Smartbook: CONSTRUCTION SITE, WATER, DURABILITY starts with the recurring problems of timber construction – and builds the solutions from there.
Across five chapters, the Smartbook covers corrosion classes, membrane selection, construction details and practical execution plans, helping designers and contractors make informed decisions with confidence.
Years of Rothoblaas expertise, available for every construction site.
Building for durability starts with the right corrosion class.
EN ISO 9223 classifies environmental corrosivity into five categories, from C1 (protected indoor environments) to C5 (marine or highly aggressive industrial environments). The wrong assessment leads to the wrong fastener.
Chapter 1 of the Smartbook helps you assess corrosivity correctly, from risk matrices to galvanic coupling between dissimilar materials, with the right solution for every environment.
Every screw is part of a system
Material, coating, tightening torque and contact with other metals: in a structural connection, every detail matters. An incorrect detail can trigger localised corrosion or premature failure.
The chapter on connections examines the most common risks – including overtorque, galvanic coupling and coating degradation – using tests carried out on real structures and Rothoblaas-validated solutions.
The right membrane in the right place:
because every wrong choice comes at a cost – five years later.
Breathable, waterproof, adhesive, self-adhesive or overlapping: selecting the right membrane depends on the build-up, roof pitch, UV exposure and installation sequence. A poor choice won't show its effects immediately. The damage builds up slowly, hidden from view.
Chapter 3 of the Smartbook provides a selection matrix, installation details for every critical junction, and compatibility information for Rothoblaas membranes and tapes. Because continuous airtightness and weathertightness must be designed – not improvised.
From design to site: ready-to-use practical tools.
The final chapters of the Smartbook turn theory into practice. Detailed construction drawings, downloadable execution plans and analysis of critical issues at every stage.
Construction details
The most critical details in timber construction – joints, anchors, moisture protection and handling – drawn, explained and ready to use as an on-site reference.
Construction project execution plans
All the information needed for construction, including a moisture management plan that defines moisture-content limits and acceptable ranges at each stage.
Risk analysis
Each detail covers the most common errors, their causes and countermeasures. Because understanding where things go wrong – and why – is already half the solution.
Field-tested solutions
Every recommendation in the Smartbook is backed by laboratory testing or documented site experience. Facts. Not assumptions.
Go deeper.
Rothoblaas technical articles.
The Smartbook is the starting point. The Rothoblaas technical blog offers in-depth analysis, case studies and practical guides on every topic.
The corrosion risk matrix
Waterproof or breathable membranes? How to choos
Durability: tapes and membranes
Protecting timber construction sites: mistakes to avoid
THE SMARTBOOK IN PRACTICE: ROTHOBLAAS PRODUCTS
Every solution is supported by Rothoblaas products designed to solve problems that are too often overlooked.
FAQ
WHO IS THE SMARTBOOK CONSTRUCTION SITE, WATER AND DURABILITY FOR?
Designers, structural engineers, site managers and installers who need complete, practical guidance for timber construction. The Smartbook is designed for professionals responsible for practical decisions on site, not just in the office.
IS THE SMARTBOOK AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL OR PRINT FORMAT?
It is available in both formats. Download the PDF straight away, or request a printed copy using the form on this page or by contacting your Rothoblaas representative.
ARE THE CONSTRUCTION DETAILS AVAILABLE IN DWG OR PDF FORMAT?
The construction details and execution plans included in the Smartbook are available for download as PDFs. For DWG files, please contact the Rothoblaas technical team. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
CAN THE SMARTBOOK BE USED AS A DESIGN STANDARD?
The Smartbook is a practical technical guide based on current standards (EN ISO 9223, Eurocode 5 and others). It does not replace certified structural design, but supports it with data, selection matrices and practical, field-tested guidance.