What is OSB
Oriented strand board (OSB) is a type of engineered wood similar to particle board, formed by adding adhesives and then compressing layers of wood strands (flakes) in specific orientations. OSB may have a rough and variegated surface with the individual strips of around 2.5 cm × 15 cm (1.0 by 5.9 inches), lying unevenly across each other, and is produced in a variety of types and thicknesses. OSB is a widely used, versatile engineered wood panel made using waterproof heat-cured adhesives and rectangularly shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers. It is similar in strength and performance as plywood, resisting deflection, warping and distortion.
Advantages of OSB
It is strong
One of the biggest advantages that you get with OSB is, quite simply, that it is extremely strong. Much stronger than plywood for example. This is the reason why, over the years, it has overtaken plywood in popularity when it comes to applications such as flooring, roofing, and walling. In fact, OSB has about twice the shear strength of plywood. Simply put, breaking, snapping, or cracking OSB is not an easy task. This makes it great for applications that require great structural integrity..
It comes in several types
Something else that stands out about OSB is that there are several types of it. There are types of OSB designed to be used indoors and those designed to be used outdoors. The fact that you can find application-specific OSB is a big benefit no doubt.
It can be very water-resistant
If you choose OSB designed for outdoor use, then it is going to be extremely water-resistant and, in some cases, even totally waterproof. Of course, how waterproof OSB is does depend on the specific type. But that said, if you do find the right type, it's one of the best-engineered wood building materials out there for environments where water and moisture are a problem.
It is consistent across sides
Another major advantage that you get with oriented strand board is the fact that it is consistent from one side to the other. Unlike plywood which can have holes and knots, the way in which OSB is made ensures that there are none of these defects. If what you are looking for is ease of use and structural integrity, then the manufacturing process which OSB goes through allows for the perfect mix of both.
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Similarities of OSB and Advantech
They are engineered wood
One of the most basic similarities shared by these two materials is that they are types of engineered wood. Both are made with real wood strands or flakes, which are then mixed with binders and adhesives, and then pressed into panels using heat and pressure. Both are technically types of wood. However, other than that, they really don't share all that many similarities.
They are often used as subflooring
The other basic similarity shared by OSB and Advantech is that they are often used as subflooring materials. That said, as you are about to find out, due to the advanced qualities of Advantech, it is quickly outpacing OSB as the subflooring material of choice.
Differences Between OSB and Advantech
The manufacturing process
One big difference between the two is how they are made. Although both are made with strands of real wood, Advantech is made with far higher quality resin. Also, the pressing and heating process is a little different as well, especially when it comes to precision manufacturing. This, therefore, results in the other differences that we will discuss below.
Durability
One of the main differences between these two materials is that OSB, although it is quite durable, is not as durable as Advantech subflooring. Advantech just has far greater strength and impact resistance than OSB. OSB will degrade much faster than Advantech subflooring, especially if we are talking about high-traffic areas.
Stiffness and weight-bearing capabilities
Another big difference between the two is that Advantech subflooring is much stiffer and harder than OSB, and is able to bear much more weight as well. The result here is that floors underlaid with OSB can often feel a bit soft and flexible, whereas floors underlaid with Advantech subflooring are much stiffer. Yes, this does also have to do with durability. The bottom line is that Advantech can hold more weight without bending.
Moisture resistance
Another big difference is that OSB, while it is somewhat water resistant, generally doesn't perform that well in high-moisture areas. For this reason, it is slowly falling out of favor as a subflooring material of choice. On the other hand, due to the high-quality resin used in Advantech subflooring, it is nearly 100% waterproof. This means that it won't absorb moisture and generally performs well in high-moisture areas.
Nail and screw holding
The next difference here is that due to the way in which Advantech flooring is made, it also tends to hold onto nails and screws much better than OSB, therefore making it a more reliable building material.
Weight
Because Advantech is fairly dense, it does have a bit more weight to it than OSB. It can be a bit harder to work with because of this.
Cost
The other main difference here is that due to its high-quality build, Advantech is significantly more expensive than OSB, sometimes even twice as expensive.
OSB is manufactured from fast-growing, small trees. West Coast inland mills producing OSB primarily use lodgepole pine logs averaging 10 to 12 inches in diameter at the breast height (DBH). Mills in the South use pine plantation thinning, Southern Pine and soft hardwoods species such as aspen with an average DBH of 8 inches.
Short segments of the logs are washed and debarked prior to strand production by using disk or ring type flakers. Generally, strand size is approximately 0.5 inch by 3 inches by 0.02 inch depending on the type of process and raw material. Size of the strands can be modified based on target specifications of the panel.
Oriented strand board is manufactured in wide mats from cross-oriented layers of thin, rectangular wooden strips compressed and bonded together with wax and synthetic resin adhesives.
The adhesive resins types used include: urea-formaldehyde (OSB type 1, nonstructural, nonwaterproof); isocyanate-based glue (or PMDI poly-methylene diphenyl diisocyanate based) in inner regions with melamine-urea-formaldehyde or phenol formaldehyde resin glues at surface (OSB type 2, structural, water resistant on face); phenol formaldehyde resin throughout (OSB types 3 and 4, structural, for use in damp and outside environments).
The layers are created by shredding the wood into strips, which are sifted and then oriented on a belt or wire-mesh caul (a heated, ventilated support) and coated with the resin.The layers thus built up are transferred to a forming line and cross-oriented so that strips on the external layers are aligned to the panel's strength axis, while the internal layers are perpendicular. The number of layers placed is determined partly by the thickness of the panel, but is limited by the equipment installed at the manufacturing site. Individual layers can also vary in thickness to give different finished panel thicknesses; typically, a 15 cm (5.9 in) layer will produce a 15 mm (0.59 in) panel thickness[citation needed]. The mat is placed in a thermal press to compress the flakes and bond them by heat activation and curing of the resin that has been coated on the flakes. Individual panels are then cut from the mats into finished sizes.
Since the moisture content of the strands ranges from 40 to 75 percent, they are dried to 5 to 10 percent moisture in large, rotating single-pass or triple-pass dryers with an inlet temperature of as high as 1,250oF.
Dried strands are classified into two sections using various sizes of screen. Larger strands are used for the face layers while the smaller strands are laid out in the core layer. Face and core layer strands are mixed separately with an exterior binder in a drum-type rotating blender. Depending on the process, a certain percentage of wax and other chemicals also can be applied during the blending process.
How Are OSB Boards Graded
There are four separate grades of OSB board set out under European standards, relating to both the strength performance rating and the moisture resistance:
OSB1: A general-purpose OSB board, made for interior uses such as furniture, specifically in dry conditions.
OSB2: A load-bearing board for use in dry conditions.
OSB3: A load-bearing board for use in humid conditions.
OSB4: A heavy-duty load-bearing board for use in humid conditions.
The best grade for your project will vary depending on needs, with OSB3 probably the most popular choice in the UK, due to its strength and moisture resistance. Some boards will also be designated as zero or OSB0, to show that they do not contain formaldehyde.
What Are OSB Boards Used For
The strength and consistency offered by OSB boards have made them popular throughout the construction world, for a variety of non-visual uses. They are also used to create strong furniture.
Wall sheathing
OSB boards are popularly used as external sheathing on timber homes, much as plywood has historically been used. OSB boards offer great strength and hold nails well. When looking to buy boards for external wall sheathing, it's important to opt for the moisture resistance of OSB3 or OSB4.
Loft boarding
OSB boards can be used for loft boarding within a building, creating a boarded surface that can be used for storage or as a loft conversion. OSB boards offer a high level of strength, which can be especially useful in a conversion, ensuring that the joists of your loft are protected and things like a bed and wardrobe can be held in place.
Flooring
OSB boards can be used as flooring, typically sub-flooring covered with a more aesthetically suitable flooring product. The strength of OSB boards makes them ideal for firm support in a heavy-traffic environment. If looking to install OSB as underflooring within a high moisture environment like a kitchen or bathroom, it's important to choose a moisture-resistant model.
Roof decking
Much like wall sheathing, OSB boards can also be used to form the roof sheathing of a timber-framed home. The strength and moisture resistance offered by high-grade roofing boards make them a great alternative to plywood roofing, and they'll also come at a lower price point.
Internal wall sheathing
Lower strength grades of OSB can also be a great way to give a consistent covering to an internal wall, which can then be decorated in a variety of ways. If looking to use internal wall sheathing within a humid environment then you will need to opt for a moisture-resistant model.
Furniture
While a lot of furniture can be made from weaker engineered woods like MDF, for items where strength is needed OSB boards can be an excellent choice. This could be everything from chairs, tables, benches, or sturdy cabinets. OSB furniture will retain its unique look, which may not be to all tastes but can be painted if needed.
OSB boards can be cut similarly to plywood, using a table saw with a large number of teeth to cleanly cut through it. When cutting OSB boards or other similar engineered wood products it's important to prioritise safety. You should cut in a well-ventilated room, using a full gas mask and safety goggles. Cutting OSB boards, particularly when they contain formaldehyde, will throw up wood particles that can irritate. You'll need to sand and seal the edges you have cut, especially if using a water-resistant model.
Adjustments to the manufacturing process can affect thickness, panel size, strength, and rigidity. OSB panels have no internal gaps or voids, and can be water-resistant, although they do require additional membranes to achieve impermeability to water and are not recommended for exterior use. The finished product has properties similar to plywood, but is uniform and cheaper. However, in 2021 the price spiked 5% to 600% going from under $10 to almost $50 per 4x8 sheet for 7/16" nominal, before correcting into 2022. When tested to failure, OSB has a greater load-bearing capacity than milled wood panels. It has replaced plywood in many environments, especially the North American structural panel market. While OSB does not have a continuous grain like a natural wood, it does have greater strength on its long axis because more of the component grains are oriented in this direction. This can be seen by observing the alignment of the surface wood chips. All wood-based structural use panels can be cut and installed with the same types of equipment as for solid wood.
Is OSB Waterproof
We've established that oriented strand boards are a great construction material which are strong with many possible uses.
As a general rule, most OSB are water resistant. Due to their construction process using wood strands, resins and wax they come fairly water resistant.
However, if you're looking for a truly waterproof OSB you need to make sure it is stamped stating so.
This will mean that your OSB has been specially treated to be waterproof and as such is good to go.
However, each time an oriented strand board is cut it creates an area where moisture or water could be absorbed.
So you may want to think about adding a further waterproof sealant to any OSBs you buy. Especially ones which you plan on using for exterior jobs.
As if an OSB does become too wet it is likely to swell (usually at the sides). If it does swell this can cause issues with construction
So if you are going to use oriented strand boards where they might be in regular contact with moisture we advise that you add an additional waterproof sealant such as: (name of sealant).
FAQ
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