OSB can be manufactured into panels that are larger than plywood. OSB is more uniform, so there are fewer soft spots, such as those that can occur in plywood. OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood .
Is plywood or OSB better for a subfloor?
The Verdict. Costs aside, plywood is still rightly considered a slightly superior material to use as a subfloor, thanks to its superior structural strength. However, the difference is not very significant, and the cost-saving offered by OSB makes it a perfectly acceptable subfloor material in most situations.
Is plywood better than OSB?
Plywood, although not immune, is somewhat forgiving. Plywood actually gets saturated much faster than osb , but it is not prone to edge swelling and it dries out much more quickly. On the plus side, osb is a more consistent product. It is truly an engineered material.
What is OSB board good for?
OSB is now used for about 70 percent of all floor, wall and roof sheathing in North America. Building codes, the Engineered Wood Association, architects and most builders rate plywood and oriented strand board (OBS sheathing) equal in strength and durability.
How can you tell the difference between OSB and plywood?
OSB is made of many smaller pieces of hardwood and softwood mixed together in strands. Because the pieces are smaller, the sheets of OSB can be much larger than sheets of plywood. While plywood is often 6 feet per sheet, OSB may be much larger, up to 12 feet per sheet.
Is OSB more water-resistant than plywood?
OSB takes longer to get wet than plywood but also takes longer to dry out. ... Manufacturers insist that OSB’s moisture problems have been corrected, thanks to the development of water-resistant edge seals. But of course that edge seal is lost when panels get cut on site, as they often do.
Why is OSB plywood so expensive?
Oriented Strand Board, or OSB, has long been used as a low-cost alternative to plywood, but the product now fetches a higher price as increased demand and tight supplies lead to delivery delays and elevated construction costs in the U.S. and Canada.
Is it OK to use OSB for subfloor?
Most local codes allow OSB to be used for subflooring. It’s always best to check with your local permitting office before using OSB for your subfloor. One advantage that OSB has over plywood is its larger formatting. For plywood, 8-foot and 10-foot long sheets of plywood are standard.
Is OSB cheaper than plywood?
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.
Can OSB plywood get wet?
OSB won’t be completely destroyed by water , unlike MDF or similar interior laminate materials; however, like any wood product, it will swell and shrink as it absorbs and releases water, so you should typically avoid more than casual contact with water.
Which side of OSB goes down?
Using OSB Safely
The side stamped “This Side Down” is typically the smooth side . This is mostly for roofers so that they lay the smooth side down and can stand on the rough side facing up. When installing in vertical applications such as wall sheathing, you’ll want to orient the smooth or stamped side facing out.
Is OSB board water-resistant?
OSB is more water-resistant than plywood . So, OSB can be used for both indoor and outdoor projects. Make sure that you know how to make OSB board waterproof to add barrier against moisture or water.
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 does OSB mean in plywood?
Oriented Strand Board is a widely used, versatile structural wood panel. Manufactured from waterproof heat-cured adhesives and rectangularly shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers, OSB is an engineered wood panel that shares many of the strength and performance characteristics of plywood.
What is lighter plywood or OSB?
Plywood is a bit stiffer and lighter than OSB and less prone to dishing out nasty splinters.
What is the cheapest type of plywood?
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).
