Table of Contents
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.
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.
How much stronger is plywood than 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. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.
Do screws hold better in OSB or plywood?
Group 1 plywood, made from the strongest species of wood such as Southern Yellow Pine, holds screws better than OSB.
Is plywood cheaper than OSB?
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 good for subfloor?
Some builders prefer OSB over plywood for flooring because the surface, when new, is always clean, flat, and knot-free. Since OSB is so dense, it’s a good soundproofing product. OSB is a more consistent product than plywood or other types of material for subfloor: every sheet is the same.
Why is OSB more expensive than plywood?
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 United States and Canada.
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.
Which is stronger OSB or CDX?
CDX plywood is not good moisture resistant. But it is stronger and more durable than OSB. It is used for roof sheathing, construction of crates and boxes, garage shelves, sub-flooring, and low humidity. Due to the cross structure of CDX, it can easily withstand heavyweight.
How much weight can 3/4 OSB hold?
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 screw through OSB?
There are many types of screws for plywood and OSB subfloor. You’ll want to use #8 1-1/2 inch wood screws spaced 8 inches apart to secure a 5/8″ OSB subfloor to the floor joist or floor truss. You can also use screws to remove a squeak in the subfloor caused by the subfloor moving against the nails.
Can you nail into OSB?
A hammer and 8d nails are standard for installing OSB, but you can speed up the installation by using a nail gun. If the force of the nail gun is too strong, the head of the nail can penetrate the OSB, which reduces the nail’s holding power.
What side of OSB goes up on a roof?
OSB roof panels should always be installed with the grade stamp facing into the attic and the screened surface (with the nail guide lines) facing up. When the grade stamp is covered by roofing, the building inspector will not be able to confirm that the correct OSB roofing panel was used.
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.
Will OSB come down in price?
Unlike framing lumber, which has declined in price in the past few months, OSB has gone up by nearly 500%.
What is a good substitute for OSB?
In addition to OSB, builders can choose plywood, fiberboard, rigid foam, diagonal boards, and fiberglass-faced gypsum panels.
Can I use OSB instead of plywood?
Industry voices from panel manufacturers or their main trade group—APA – The Engineered Wood Association—say that there’s no real difference between the two panels: OSB’s and plywood’s structural characteristics are equivalent, and they can be used interchangeably.
What is best subfloor material?
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.
Is it better to nail or screw subfloor?
Using code-approved screws rather than nails is the best option for avoiding movement. If using nails for subfloor installation, stick with ring-shank nails; smooth nails may withdraw easier, leading to squeaks.
