Which Is Cheaper Plywood Or OSB?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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OSB

is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood. OSB is considered by many to be a “green” building material because it can be made from smaller-diameter trees, such as poplars, that are often farmed.

Which is better plywood or OSB?


Osb is stronger than plywood in shear

. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists.

Why is plywood more expensive than OSB?

Plywood is the more expensive option to build with than OSB.

The material tends to be thicker and needs to be made to more exacting standards

, which increases costs. A 4×8-foot sheet of construction-grade plywood costs roughly $10 a sheet, while the same size sheet of OSB costs only $6 a sheet.

Will OSB prices go down in 2021?

In more recent news, however, a market correction in the form of a sharp OSB price

decrease in the second half of July 2021

appeared, leading to a projected rebalance between production and consumption, possibly due to a seasonal slowdown in home construction.

Is plywood or OSB better for sheathing?

The National Tile Contractors Association and the Resilient Floor Covering Institute both recommend

plywood for subflooring and underlayment

, because it doesn’t have the risk of swollen edges that OSB does. Plywood also has a slight advantage in stiffness, which means that subflooring panels need not be quite as thick.

Can you waterproof OSB?


OSB is strong and water-resistant

.

Every single fiber or piece of wood in an OSB is saturated with a cocktail of resins designed to provide superior strength and waterproofing to the finished product. … This type of board is an excellent material for use in waterproofing systems, be they roof, sub-floor or wall.

What is the thinnest OSB board?

Larger panel sizes are desired by the producers of wood I-joists because the long OSB panel lengths reduce the need for web splicing of the wood I-joists. Sizes smaller than the standard size can also be specially ordered. Thicknesses are available from

6 mm (1/4 in) to 28.5 mm (1-1/8 in)

.

What is a good substitute for OSB?

Most builders are so comfortable with OSB wall sheathing that they never consider using an alternative material. In fact, a wide range of materials can be used to sheathe a wood-framed wall. In addition to OSB, builders can choose

plywood, fiberboard, rigid foam, diagonal boards, and fiberglass-faced gypsum panels

.

Why is OSB so expensive now?

So what does this mean for prices? An oligopoly has few producers but many buyers. When industry production capacity exceeds demand,

OSB pricing resembles a competitive market

. The few producers will compete with each other for business in order to keep their enormous, expensive, manufacturing plants producing 24/7.

What’s the cheapest plywood you can buy?


D-grade plywood

: The cheapest type of plywood veneers, these sheets typically haven’t been repaired. The flaws can be slightly larger and the knots in this type of plywood can be up to 2.5 inches in diameter. CDX: CDX-grade plywood is typically inexpensive material, as it is made of the two lowest grades (C and D).

What is a good price for OSB?

in Inches in MM (rounded) Price per Sheet 1/4′′ 6 $15 – $20 7/16′′ 11 $20 – $25 1/2




13


$21 – $28
23/32′′ 18 $26 – $32

Is OSB getting cheaper?


OSB is traditionally cheaper than plywood

and other structural sheathings; however, a high demand over supply of OSB in recent years has caused OSB prices to escalate. Recently, OSB increased by 4.4 percent. Since September and January 2016, OSB has increased 19 and 38 percent.

Why is OSB so expensive 2021?

Lumber and plywood prices are so

high now because of the short-run dynamics of demand and supply

. Wood demand shot up in the summer of pandemic. Many homeowners were stuck at home, unable to vacation.

What is OSB plywood good for?

OSB is now used for about 70 percent of

all floor, wall and roof sheathing

in North America. … Some panels have a textured surface, which makes them less slippery when used for roof sheathing. OSB panels often have lines at 16- and 24-in. intervals so you know where underlying studs, rafters and joists are for nailing.

How long will OSB last?

Panels protected by shingles or steel roofing, or behind siding or brick veneer will normally last as long as the structure stands. OSB, which is protected from the elements or sealed with paint or stain, can last

for decades

. Some exterior OSB wall panels are even guaranteed for 50 years.

What kind of plywood is used for sheathing?


Structural Fiberboard


Plywood and OSB

are largely considered the best wall sheathing choices because of their overall abilities to hold fasteners well, create a strong bond between studs, and provide some thermal advantages.

Jasmine Sibley
Author
Jasmine Sibley
Jasmine is a DIY enthusiast with a passion for crafting and design. She has written several blog posts on crafting and has been featured in various DIY websites. Jasmine's expertise in sewing, knitting, and woodworking will help you create beautiful and unique projects.