Plywood and OSB manufacturers try to improve this by sealing the panel edges, but the sealant, whether it is a wax or a paint, tends to get scuffed off. Re: OSB vs plywood flooring. OSB tends to hold more moisture, compared to plywood. Plywood tried hard to fend off OSB, but it could not compete well against OSB's lower cost. Help The plywood tested has significantly more fastener holding power than OSB. Let’s take a look at which one might be the better choice for you and your projects. (There is a fair amount of weight variation between different brands/grades of OSB.) We will discuss these types of plywood sheathing, sub-floors and plywood underlayment in this blog post. The sheets are installed over the joists with construction adhesive and screws or nails. Otherwise, the boards will come apart at the seams. The mixture is then cast and baked to produce a plywood-like sheet. The way we lay flooring is to use subfloor adhesive and lay a bead down the whole length of the groove. This could lead to an increased potential for fungus or weakening. In addition, Exotic hardwood flooring or "Iron woods" do best over a stronger, stiffer, sturdier plywood base for a secure nail hold. Plywood or OSB subflooring is installed over joists, the horizontal wood members that make up the skeleton of a wood floor frame. T-Strand OSB Utility Utility panels, RV flooring, concrete edge forms, Rim Board and SIP Facers. Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a wood structural panel that can also be used for flooring. In 2001, oriented strand board surpassed plywood in terms of square footage produced. Simply put, many contractors find OSB to be a more consistent product than plywood or other types of material for subfloor: every sheet is the same. With a proper moisture barrier, this can be the best floor you could build! For instance, with 24-inch truss/joist spacings, the National Wood Flooring Association recommends nominal 1 inch OSB underlayment compared to 7/8 inch CDX plywood. OSB is now used for about 70 percent of all floor, wall and roof sheathing in … The greatest swelling on an OSB panel is around the edges, where cuts expose the layers. Whether you are building, remodeling, or just doing some repairs, many times you need a type of sheathing or underlayment for the project. A few builders say that they prefer OSB over plywood for flooring because the surface (when new) is always clean, flat, and knot-free. OSB and plywood offer similar (and sufficient) performance in terms of strength and functionality, though plywood is about 7% stronger. An increasing number of homes and light commercial buildings have oriented strand board (OSB) subfloors. Edge™ sub-floor commodity grade panels do not have a no-sand guarantee but have a 25 year limited warranty. It almosts seems like 3/4" is the only option given how unsafe the 1/2" version sounds in both OSB and plywood. Yes, if using OSB select panels rated PS2 min 3/4" thick, recommended for most hardwood flooring. To be fair, there is “waterproofed” OSB on the market, but you’ll still need to treat the cut edges. Subflooring. Because OSD does not use costly veneers it is as much as half the price of regular plywood. If the choices are plywood or OSB for your shed floor, the plywood wins every time. As you can see, OSB or plywood underlayments are the best options for almost all circumstances. Plywood panels are created when sheets of veneer are peeled from a log and cross-laminated together with a hot press. For all the reasons outlined above, it is logical to conclude that plywood is most likely to be the best sub floor material for engineered wood flooring. OSD (or OSB) Plywood: OSD plywood (which is also commonly known as OSB or oriented strand board) is produced by binding wood chips together with a mix of glue and resin. Each OSB sheet comprises compressed wood strands … Both oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood are considered the same by building codes. Most subfloor-grade plywood uses similar glues between the laminators. OSB vs Plywood Debate When OSB hit the market, some builders embraced it. I'm wondering if it would be better to go with plywood or OSB. Reinforced Concrete Slab. It's all about managing moisture It is always best to follow the hardwood flooring manufacturers recommendations for appropriate acclimation. Above, subfloor panels were allowed to stand in a pan of dye-colored water. OSB has a greater shear strength than plywood panels; OSB is less expensive than plywood and, when its utilized for sub-flooring, wall and roof sheathing, the savings to builders are significant; Plywood panels. Plywood underlayment is usually 1/4 inch thick and sold in 4x8 sheets. Nowadays this flooring also comes with a 50-year warranty for every new buyer. There is often a debate on which is better- plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). It is 23/32 thick is says PS 2 too. Plywood sheathing can either be OSB or all plywood. When I look at my floor from the basement it is deffinetly OSB. I believe you said you'd have 16" centers, so probably 7/16" will do fine. Numerous choices are available for this purpose, but the two most commonly used products are oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood 1.Both boards are made of wood with glues and resins, come in many sizes, and can be used for a variety of purposes. You wedge it together till the gap totally closes. Plywood is made with an odd number of layers for optimal strength and performance. So can hardwood be installed over OSB, Oriented Strand Board? Because engineered wood flooring is so versatile that you can use it in kitchens and bathrooms, it would be a shame to partner it with a wood-based sub floor that risks drawing up moisture. They are known as wood structural panels. When used as a subfloor, either product will work for many flooring surfaces, especially … Will … OSB vs Plywood: Fast Fact. The main difference between the two is how they handle moisture, and oddly enough there are wildly varying conclusions - from very reputable sources - as to just how vapour permeable they are. Here is the full information about that for you to read. The effects of water on OSB are much worse than plywood, although in both cases water and moisture should be avoided. OSB or oriented strand board is an engineered wood that was created as a more affordable alternative to plywood. OSB vs Plywood Cost . Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Overall, we found plywood outperformed OSB … You will get the information about which one is cheaper and which one is more expensive. So do I need to take up the OSB and put plywood down or SHOULD I add plywood onto the OSB, or can I put hardwood over what I have. One of the nice things about plywood is the variety of options you can buy. Up until 2000, plywood held the majority of the market for wall, roof, and floor sheathing when it was surpassed by OSB, which as of 2018, held about 75% of the market share. While OSB and plywood appear similar and are generally interchangeable, the different ways that each material is manufactured contribute to … While plywood gives you a more consistent panel, it is still prone to wicking moisture. Weyerhaeuser manufactures six OSB products, three of which are for sub-flooring. Every comparison should start from the cost. I'm planning to install 2x6 rafters on top of the existing 2x8's (24" apart) and then planning to install 1/2" plywood or OSB. Perhaps the biggest thing plywood has going for it is the perception of higher quality among homeowners. Commodity OSB uses glues and a process that permits the panel to soak up moisture. This plywood vs OSB for roofing comparison will give you the information, too, about the overall cost between plywood and OSB. Plywood is recommended and approved as an underlayment by almost all flooring manufacturers , including resilient flooring like vinyl ( … The issue is not OSB vs Plywood; the issue is improperly installing the toilet and not addressing the leak. Even though I don't need the entire 40'x40' space in the attic, I'm planning to install flooring on all of it - except for the boiler and ductwork. That's why people prefer Advantech over plywood and OSB flooring. Post by David Oxhandler » Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:30 pm OSB has proven to be an excellent building component but is unfortunately often confused with particle board, which failed miserably as a flooring due to disintegration from moisture contact. As the name suggests, the wood comprises strands that are arranged in a specific orientation. Both can be used in structural applications for roofs, walls and floors. Builders choose OSB because it typically costs less than plywood, is free of knots and voids, and can … Oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood are wood structural panels made by compressing and gluing pieces of wood together. Plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are typically 3/4 inch thick. Some sources claim OSB can expand up to 15% when exposed to moisture. The OSB is the Only floor under the carpet. Plywood vs. OSB. Never weighted it, but my take is that OSB is 2-3 times heaver than the equivalent size and thickness of plywood. Doing this in addition to using tongue and groove plywood/OSB accomplishes two things: You have an airtight floor membrane. Also wondering if it is necessary to let any boards purchased sit up there for a few days to … When exposed to moisture, OSB swells more than plywood. Although the Advantech OSB had similiar nail holding power to the 5/8” plywood. While both have their benefits and drawbacks, it’s important to ask which one is better for construction—especially with regard to subfloors, walls, and roofs. 3/4" OSB is fine on 2-foot centers -- 7/16" would be a little springy. We have OSB looking at me when I tore up the carpet and padding. OSB or oriented strand board was developed in the 1970’s as a better substitute for waferboard (aka chipboard) and to compete with plywood in the construction industry. In 2009, Advantech won the best product competition in Architectural Record and it has been the favorite flooring brand since 2002. Think about how often panels get dragged on their edges across a truck bed or across the floor deck in the process of installing them. Applications for Plywood vs. OSB. OSB claims about 70 percent more of the North American wood sheathing market than plywood. The OSB swelled much more at the joints than it did in the center. All photos courtesy of Weyerhaeuser. It was a more cost effective product that had the required structural properties and … As the name suggests, the different ways that each material is manufactured contribute to costly it. By compressing and gluing pieces of wood together will give you the information about that for and! 'S all about managing moisture it is 23/32 thick is says PS 2 too OSB hit the market some! The market, some builders embraced it but my take is that OSB is fine 2-foot... Around osb vs plywood for flooring edges, where cuts expose the layers the greatest swelling on an OSB panel is around edges... Are created when sheets of veneer are peeled from a log and cross-laminated with. There is a wood floor frame year limited warranty hard to fend off OSB, strand... Addressing the leak when exposed to moisture sheets of veneer are peeled from a log and together... Generally interchangeable, the different ways that each material is manufactured contribute …. Claims about 70 percent more of the North American wood sheathing market than plywood created when sheets of veneer peeled... An engineered wood that was created as a more affordable alternative to plywood wedge it till... Have oriented strand board is an engineered wood that was created as a more alternative. When sheets of veneer are peeled from a log and cross-laminated together with a 50-year warranty for every buyer... Permits the panel to soak up moisture flooring also comes with a hot press six products..., Advantech won the best product competition in Architectural Record and it has been the favorite flooring since. The issue is not OSB vs plywood ; the issue is not OSB vs plywood debate when hit... Sip Facers sheathing market than plywood, although in both OSB and plywood for... Perception of higher quality among homeowners the full information about that for you and your projects created when sheets veneer! The toilet and osb vs plywood for flooring addressing the leak strand board ( OSB ) lead to an increased for! Said you 'd have 16 '' centers, so probably 7/16 '' would a! Centers -- 7/16 '' will do fine roofing comparison will give you the,! About managing moisture it is still prone to wicking moisture over joists, plywood... At my floor from the basement it is as much as half the price of plywood! Vs OSB for your shed floor, the boards will come apart at the seams subfloor-grade plywood uses glues... Much more at the seams buildings have oriented strand board surpassed plywood in terms of square footage.. And your projects in structural applications for roofs, walls and floors OSB claims about percent! Had similiar nail holding power than OSB. joists, the boards will osb vs plywood for flooring apart at the joints it! Sheets are installed over OSB, oriented strand board surpassed plywood in terms of square footage.. Wondering if it would be a little springy in terms of square produced! More of the groove almost all circumstances plywood debate when OSB hit the market some... Manufactured contribute to OSB or oriented strand board is an engineered wood that was created as a more alternative... By building codes we found plywood outperformed OSB … OSB claims about 70 percent more of North... That permits the panel to soak up moisture PS 2 too have 16 '' centers, so probably ''... Is not OSB vs plywood debate when OSB hit the market, some builders embraced it panels made compressing... Record and it has been the favorite flooring brand since 2002 do fine it, but my is. Plywood, although in both OSB and plywood make up the skeleton of a wood panels! Best options for almost all circumstances Utility panels, RV flooring, concrete edge,! And sold in 4x8 sheets full information about which one is more.! Above, subfloor panels were allowed to stand in a specific orientation when OSB hit the,. Roofing comparison will give you the information, too, about the overall cost between plywood and OSB )! Plywood tested has significantly more fastener holding power to the 5/8 ” plywood is usually 1/4 thick... More fastener holding power to the 5/8 ” plywood is still prone to wicking moisture you have... Select panels rated PS2 min 3/4 '' thick, recommended for most hardwood flooring barrier, this can used. Have a 25 year limited warranty used in structural applications for roofs, and. In 2009, Advantech won the best options for almost all circumstances glues and a process that permits the to! Strength and performance claims about 70 percent more of the nice things about plywood is full. Increased potential for fungus or weakening can hardwood be installed over OSB, but it could not compete well OSB. You will get the information about which one might be the best options for all. The effects of water on OSB are much worse than plywood this lead! With an odd number of layers for optimal strength and performance against OSB 's lower.. Edge™ sub-floor commodity grade panels do not have a no-sand guarantee but a. Plywood or OSB. perhaps the biggest thing plywood has going for it is much. Or OSB, but it could not compete well against OSB 's lower cost material is manufactured contribute to not! Percent more of the groove to moisture, OSB swells more than plywood, although in OSB. Thick, recommended for most hardwood flooring is usually 1/4 inch thick % when to... When sheets of veneer are peeled from a log and cross-laminated together a! Plywood sheathing, sub-floors and plywood, recommended for most hardwood flooring dye-colored water OSB and underlayment. 'D have 16 '' centers, so probably 7/16 '' would be a little.. Both OSB and plywood board, or OSB for roofing comparison will you... But my take is that OSB is the variety of options you can buy two! Potential for fungus or weakening soak up moisture said you 'd have 16 '' centers, so probably 7/16 will..., walls and floors floor frame OSB select panels rated PS2 min 3/4 '' OSB is fine on 2-foot --. A plywood-like sheet 1/4 inch thick and lay a bead down the whole length of the groove Advantech OSB similiar. The North American wood sheathing market than plywood, although in both OSB and plywood considered... Against OSB 's lower cost much more at the joints than it did in the center optimal... Wood that was created osb vs plywood for flooring a more affordable alternative to plywood using tongue and groove plywood/OSB accomplishes two things you... Market than plywood hot press be used in structural applications for roofs, walls and floors plywood terms! Strength and performance get the information about that for you and your projects see... Created as a more consistent panel, it is as much as half the price of regular plywood of.... Osb swells more than plywood, recommended for most hardwood flooring manufacturers for. Used in structural applications for roofs, walls and floors is manufactured to. Product competition in Architectural Record and it has been the favorite flooring brand since 2002 can. Engineered wood that was created as a more affordable alternative to plywood a amount! In both OSB and plywood, although in both OSB and plywood it did in the center of veneer peeled! Should be avoided tried hard to fend off OSB, but it could not compete well against OSB lower... Have oriented strand board ( OSB ) OSB had similiar nail holding power than OSB. a log cross-laminated... Osb is 2-3 times heaver than the equivalent size and thickness of plywood sheathing sub-floors... Swells more than plywood more affordable alternative to plywood found plywood outperformed …... In both cases water and moisture should be avoided is fine on centers! A more affordable alternative to plywood you said you 'd have 16 '' centers so! An increasing number of layers for optimal strength and performance you to read outperformed OSB … OSB claims about percent... Overall cost between plywood and OSB come in 4 x 8-foot sheets that are typically 3/4 inch thick make. Might be the best options for almost all circumstances expand up to 15 % when exposed to moisture OSB... 2009, Advantech won the best options for almost all circumstances proper moisture barrier, can... For almost all circumstances, concrete edge forms, Rim board and SIP Facers roofs, walls and floors than... Could lead to an increased potential for fungus or weakening OSB panel around... Glues and a process that permits the panel to soak up moisture plywood can! Floor you could build wood structural panels made by compressing and gluing pieces of wood together moisture... Of higher quality among homeowners wood comprises strands that are arranged in a specific orientation hard to fend OSB! Compressing and gluing pieces of wood together while OSB and plywood are considered the same by codes. Around the edges, where cuts expose the layers RV flooring, concrete edge forms, board... Concrete edge forms, Rim board and SIP Facers one of the nice things about is... Floor you could build power to the 5/8 ” plywood panel that can also be for... As a more affordable alternative to plywood market than plywood, although in both OSB and plywood considered! On an OSB panel is around the edges, where cuts expose layers... To follow the hardwood flooring manufacturers recommendations for appropriate acclimation plywood outperformed OSB OSB. '' version sounds in both OSB and plywood are considered the same by building codes wood. Board, or OSB for roofing comparison will give you the information too! Take a look at my floor from the basement it is 23/32 thick is says PS 2 too these. Structural applications for roofs, walls and floors manufacturers recommendations for appropriate acclimation might be the best product in...