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OSB and plywood offer similar (and sufficient) performance in terms of strength and functionality, though plywood is about 7% stronger. Plywood will absorb moisture quicker than OSB, but consequently it will also dry quicker.
Is it better to use OSB or plywood for subfloor?
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.
What are the disadvantages of OSB?
Prone to swelling edges and telegraphing. “The major disadvantage of OSB is that if it gets exposed to significant amounts of water or moisture, the edges expand by up to 15% especially if they are cut edges. This swell will then telegraph onto the shingles or some flooring,” according to PATH.
What does OSB stand for and why is it stronger than 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.
Which is more expensive OSB or 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.
Is OSB more water resistant than plywood?
OSB is more resistant to moisture absorption but also takes longer to dry out. Plywood absorbs moisture faster but also dries out much faster, but extended moisture exposure can cause plywood to delaminate.
Is OSB OK for subfloor?
OSB subfloor serves as a base under the finish floor (hardwood, engineered wood, vinyl tile, etc.) 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.
Why is plywood cheaper 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.
How much weight can 3/4 OSB support?
Plywood fixed at both sides, with the wood grain running parallel to the span. With 2 foot span, 5-ply 3/4 in ply holds about 170 lb per square foot.
Can you drill into OSB?
You’ll have to drill through the steel strap, obviously. Personally, I’m a fan of SPAX screws for OSB since they have an aggressive, self-drilling thread pattern. They make a pan-head screw that would be just about perfect.
Can OSB be used for roof sheathing?
Both OSB and plywood panels can cut and installed on a roof using conventional roofing equipment. They have similar structural characteristics, and can be used interchangeably. OSB is now the most-used sheathing and subflooring material for new roofs and roof replacements.
Which plywood is strongest?
The answer is marine plywood. It is the strongest and toughest of all plywood on the market. High-quality glues hold the plies in marine plywood together. That makes them structurally sound and resistant to moisture.
Is OSB plywood good for outdoors?
OSB is highly resistant to moisture and can be water and weatherproofed for exterior use using good quality paint or stain. It has superior strength to other wood panels and a slower rate of moisture absorption.
What does CDX stand for in plywood?
CDX signifies class C to D exposed plywood. Manufactures make any type of plywood from several plies pressed firmly together to create a larger and stronger piece of plywood. Plywood usually is available in plies of three, five, seven, and nine, with the most reduced numbers denotes the highest class plywood.
What is OSB plywood used for?
Applications. OSB is extensively used for wall sheathing, floor underlayment, roof cover and I-joist in both commercial and residential building. OSB also is used in furniture, reels, trailer liners and recreational vehicle floors. Figure 3 shows siding and I-joist application of OSB in building construction.
Is MDF stronger than plywood?
So use it indoors — as decorative panels or furniture. MDF is ideal for cutting, machining and drilling as it does not chip easily. On the other hand, plywood is a much stronger material, which can be used for doors, floors, staircases and outdoor furniture.
What type of plywood is best for subfloor?
The recommended thickness of the plywood subfloor is governed by the spacing of the joists. Some experts suggest that 15/32-inch plywood should be standard if the underlying floor joists are spaced 16 inches apart or less, but slightly thicker 3/4-inch plywood should be used for joists spaced further apart.
What is the best material for subfloor?
Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.
How thick should subfloor plywood be?
The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch. There are several factors that determine what subfloor thickness is optimal for added benefits like insulation.
Can hardwood be installed over OSB?
Hardwood flooring will not stabilize the OSB subfloor, so all movement must be remedied prior to hardwood installation. Ensure that no fasteners are exposed or raised and that there is at least an 1/8-inch gap between OSB subfloor panels.
