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FAQ: Oriented Strand Board

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Is OSB sheeting a worthy substitute for standard plywood sheeting?
L.D. writes:
Is OSB sheeting a worthy substitute for standard plywood sheeting?

Paul Fisette answers:
Read the article Chosing Between Oriented Strandboard and Plywood on our web page, that will help you make that decision.

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OSB as a subfloor?
D.L. writes:
Plywood or OSB for subfloor application Which material is best based on durability and cost?

Paul Fisette answers:
It depends on what you are putting down for a finished floor. Tile? Use plywood. Resilient Flooring? Doesn't matter as long as youy use underlayment grade plywood for UNDERLAYMENT. Wood floor? 1/2" ply and 5/8" osb are equals.

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What about the durability of LP OSB Sturd-I-Floor?
M.G. writes:
I am looking for any information on the durability of LP OSB Sturd-I-Floor under wet conditions. Any problems with swelling and de-lamination.

Paul Fisette answers:
Neither OSB or Plywood in designed to be left exposed to wet conditions. If either of them ar they will ultimately fail. There have been studies (mentioned in the article) that show that 3/4" osb works as well as 5/8" plywood as a subfloor material under finished wood flooring. As an underlayment and subflooring material, it does not fare as well for other flooring like tile and resilient flooring. Osb takes on moisture more slowly than plywood, but it also takes longer for it to give it up. Osb is prone to thickness swell around its edges, because it absorbs moisture around its edges faster than it does in the middle of the panel.

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