Understanding Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and Its Production Process

Plywood oriented strand board, commonly known as OSB, is an excellent choice for construction projects that require a flexible, reliable, and safe wood panel. It is an engineered wood product that is widely used due to its high durability, good performance, and exceptional versatility. If you are still unsure about what is osb plywood and how it can be used, VINAWOOD’s article below will provide you with all the necessary information.

What Is Plywood Oriented Strand Board (OSB)?

OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is a widely used, versatile engineered wood panel made with waterproof heat-cured adhesives and rectangular wood strands arranged in cross-oriented layers. It has similar strength and performance to plywood, resisting deflection, warping, and distortion.

How is an Oriented Strand Board made?

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is made from wood strands that are typically 8 to 15 centimeters long. The manufacturing process utilizes the whole tree, including crooked, knotty, and deformed trees that would otherwise go unused. In British Columbia (B.C.), OSB production primarily uses abundant, small-diameter poplar and aspen trees.

The wood strands are mixed with waterproof resin and interleaved together in thick mats. These mats are then bonded together under heat and pressure, resulting in solid, uniform building panels with enhanced features such as high strength and water resistance.

B.C. manufacturers employ various fabrication processes to produce a range of OSB products. The result is versatile panels suitable for numerous construction applications.

In Canada, OSB panels are manufactured to meet the requirements of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). This standard sets performance ratings (grades) for specific end uses, such as floor, roof, and wall sheathing in light-frame wood construction. Additionally, design values for OSB construction sheathing are listed in CSA O86, allowing for the engineering design of roof sheathing, wall sheathing, and floor sheathing using OSB conforming to CSA O325.

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Facts about plywood oriented strand board

Here is a few facts about OSB and plywood:

Popularity and Production: OSB, developed relatively recently, surpassed plywood in popularity in North America by 2000. Currently, nearly twice as much OSB is produced in North America compared to plywood.
Global Usage: Outside of North America, OSB is not commonly used in construction. In 2005, the combined production of OSB in Europe and Latin America was just 3.5 billion square feet, which is less than one-seventh of North America’s production that year.
Performance Standards: Although OSB and plywood are made from different materials, both are manufactured to meet the same performance standards. Despite differing material compositions, both products are engineered to provide similar structural integrity and performance.
Material Sources: OSB can be made from narrower, faster-growing trees compared to plywood. This makes OSB a more sustainable choice as it utilizes trees that grow more quickly and efficiently.

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In Favor of Plywood oriented strand board vs plywood

In Favor of OSB:

Panel Size: OSB can be manufactured into larger panels than plywood, providing more flexibility in construction projects.
Uniformity: OSB is more uniform, resulting in fewer soft spots compared to plywood.
Cost: OSB is less expensive than plywood. For example, building a typical 2,400-square-foot home with OSB may cost $700 less than using plywood.
Sustainability: OSB is often considered a “green” building material because it can be made from smaller-diameter trees, like poplars, which are frequently farmed. Plywood production, however, typically requires larger-diameter trees from old-growth forests.
Durability in Hot Climates: Plywood tends to delaminate, especially in hot climates like Florida, whereas OSB does not have this issue to the same extent.

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In Favor of Plywood:

Formaldehyde Emissions: Although both plywood and OSB off-gas formaldehyde, OSB releases more of this carcinogenic gas. Storing these materials outdoors for several weeks before construction can help vent these gases safely into the air.
Weight: OSB weighs more than plywood. For instance, a 23/32-inch 4×8-foot plywood sheet weighs approximately 67 pounds, while an OSB sheet of the same size weighs around 78 pounds. The heavier weight of OSB makes it harder to install and puts more stress on the structure.
Water Resistance: OSB swells more than plywood when exposed to water, particularly at the edges. This swelling is due to the release of compaction stress in OSB created during manufacturing. While swollen plywood can return to its nominal thickness once dry, OSB remains permanently swollen to some extent. This can uplift materials like tile or carpet placed on top.
Floor Stiffness:Plywood floors are stiffer than OSB floors by about 10%. As a result, OSB floors are more prone to: Squeaking due to movement, Causing hard floor surfaces like tile to crack, Resulting in soft, spongy floors.
Fastener Retention: Nails and screws tend to stay more firmly in place in plywood than in OSB.
Decay Resistance: OSB retains water longer than plywood, increasing the likelihood of decay. Tree species used in OSB production also play a significant role. For instance, OSB made from aspen or poplar is more susceptible to decay. A major consumer class-action lawsuit saw Louisiana-Pacific (LP), a building materials manufacturer, paying $375 million to 75,000 homeowners due to decaying OSB in their homes.

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What is OSB used for?

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a highly durable and stable wood product that is widely used in construction projects. It has numerous applications, including:

Flooring:

Plywood oriented strand board is a popular material for flooring due to its consistent durability and high aesthetics. It provides solid support in crowded environments with high traffic density. However, it is important to choose a moisture-proof model for environments with high humidity such as the kitchen or bathroom.

Roofing panels:

OSB is an ideal choice for roofing panels because of its strength, stability, and ability to withstand wind and seismic loads. Premium roofing panels are durable and moisture-resistant, making them a great alternative to plywood roofing at a lower price.

Interior:

OSB boards are a top solution for interiors that require high durability. They are light, strong, and flexible, making them suitable for producing tables, chairs, or cabinets. OSB furniture retains its unique appearance, and its ability to absorb dyes makes it perfect for customization.

Wall Sheathing:

OSB boards are widely used to make wall panels, especially for wooden houses. Its high durability and ability to hold nails well make it popular for making exterior house coverings. For moisture-resistant wall panels, choose OSB3 or OSB4.

Internal Wall Sheathing:

Plywood oriented strand board is also a great choice for interior wall sheathing. You can decorate it according to your preferences, making your space highly aesthetic.

Loft Boarding:

OSB boards are highly durable and very useful as pedestals to support objects. It can be lofted, however, use sturdy struts that are held securely in place

Plywood oriented strand board is easily damaged by high humidity

Why is OSB so expensive?

There is a lot of discussion around the high cost of plywood oriented strand board and why it is expensive. The reason is simple – the demand for OSB is higher than the supply. Several factors contribute to the growing demand for OSB, including an increase in the number of stronger storms in the US, which requires more home repairs or shields to be built.

Plywood oriented strand board is more expensive than other Plywood — Construction worker, plywood / osb panel (oriental strand board)

Moreover, over the years, many smaller OSB manufacturers have been acquired by the top 10 companies in the market. The main players in the market are all trying to optimize their supply chains to maximize profits and minimize investment waste. They look at historical demand and predict future demand based on market forces they can see. Demand for OSB has increased by about 20% from 2008 to 2018.

It is observed that the number of buyers in the Oriented Strand Board (OSB) market is increasing while the number of main suppliers is decreasing. This trend of consolidation is likely to continue as new OSB factories become larger and investors employ more advanced technology to produce innovative and versatile OSB products.

Now, how does this consolidation trend impact the prices? Well, in an oligopoly, there are few producers but many buyers. When the demand for the product reaches its capacity, buyers may become desperate and accept the price set by the manufacturer to ensure they have access to the product.

The demand can reach capacity in two ways. Firstly, buyers may suddenly decide to place orders simultaneously, such as wholesalers, retailers, builders, and even the Ministry of Defense to rebuild Iraq, for instance. Secondly, production capacity may be reduced at the manufacturer’s level, either voluntarily due to scheduled plant maintenance/upgrades or involuntarily due to accidents, fires, or raw material supply interruptions.

In conclusion, the high demand for plywood oriented strand board is driven by both environmental and market factors.

What are the disadvantages of oriented strand board?

Although Plywood oriented strand board has many pros, there are also some cons that OSB has such as:

Less fire resistant: Although OSB can provide some fire resistance, it is not as fire resistant as some other building materials, such as gypsum board (drywall) or some types of other plywood
Sensitive to humidity: OSB is easily damaged by high humidity. If left in a humid environment for a long time, OSB will tend to warp, blister, and peel. This leads to the breakdown of its structures
Low nail-holding capacity: Plywood oriented strand board does not hold curb boards as firmly as other types of plywood because its nail-holding capacity is not as high.
The surface is not smooth: the surface of Plywood oriented strand board is not as smooth and hard as other types of plywood. This will cause some limitations for some applications that require a smooth surface
High brittleness: When in a cold climate, OSB will gradually become brittle over time, and cracks will begin to appear on the surface. Especially if subjected to impact or sudden high pressure, the OSB will be damaged
Formaldehyde Emissions: OSB will likely emit formaldehyde, which is a volatile organic compound, especially when newly manufactured. This substance can be a factor in indoor air pollution and harm family health.

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When treated with resin, plywood oriented strand board can resist water

FAQ

Is OSB better than plywood?

OSB excels in handling heavy loads, making it well-suited for flooring and roofing applications. Plywood subfloors typically provide about 10% more rigidity than OSB subfloors. Moreover, plywood generally exhibits superior moisture resistance compared to OSB, retaining its structural integrity even in damp conditions.

Is OSB plywood waterproof?

Yes, OSB is not inherently waterproof or water resistant. Like other wood-based materials, OSB can absorb moisture and is susceptible to swelling when exposed to water or high humidity. This absorption and release of moisture can cause the wood fibers in OSB to expand and contract, which affects its dimensional stability over time. Therefore, OSB should be protected from direct exposure to water and used

Will OSB burn rot or mold?

When treated with resin, plywood oriented strand board can resist water. For insect or fire resistance, OSB must be treated with chemicals. Manufacturers must test their products for flame retardants or other chemical effects.

What is the difference between MDF and OSB?

When it comes to size, plywood oriented strand board are much larger than plywood. However, OSB is heavier and swells more when exposed to moisture. It also tends to retain water for a longer period than plywood. Despite these drawbacks, OSB offers exceptional strength and durability while remaining lightweight, making it a popular choice among other types of plywood.

Is OSB stronger than plywood?

OSB and plywood are two types of engineered wood panels used in construction. While osb and plywood are durable, plywood is generally considered to be slightly harder than OSB, with a difference of about 10%. This means that nails and screws are more likely to remain securely in place over time when used with plywood rather than OSB.

At VINAWOOD blog, we provide you with all the information about what is osb plywood. Hopefully this article will help you in the process of choosing the right plywood oriented strand board for your project. If you would like more information about Plywood types, check out our website.

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