Is Osb Better Than Plywood For Roofing

University of massachusetts meets most building codes for roof and wall sheathing.

Is osb better than plywood for roofing.

Plywood will absorb moisture quicker than osb but consequently it will also dry quicker. It is generally believed that osb is cheaper than plywood. Today you can find osb in thickness from 7 16 to 1 1 8 for different applications from roof wall subfloor i joists and everything between. Osb is heavier than plywood and when properly waterproofed and maintained will generally lie flatter.

Osb is cheaper than plywood by about 3 to 5 per panel. Plywood is available in many plys and different levels of quality. Osb panels often have lines at 16 and 24 in. Osb is much more waterproof than plywood and cdx plywood.

2x greater shear strength than similar sized plywood source. When osb does get wet it also tends to swell along the edges and those edges stay swollen even after the material has dried out. It is true as the price of every osb board is around 15 20 per sheet 4 8 sizes. Due to the way that osb is made it is generally much more uniform in construction which gives it a clear advantage over other options.

This engineered product may be similar to plywood in some ways but it is much less expensive. Osb is less forgiving of being left out in the rain and will show more deformities after a wetting and drying cycle. For a typical 2 400 sq. That is why osb is sometimes used to secure houses when a hurricane draws near.

Osb has its advantages. When used as a roof sheathing this tendency to hold moisture means it can degrade faster than plywood when exposed to chronic leaks. Intervals so you know where underlying studs rafters and joists are for nailing. Osb can be used in many applications and is commonly used in roofing walls and flooring.

In our area 1 2 in. Both products will swell when wet but plywood will return to almost its exact shape when it dries. Home osb is about 700 less expensive compared with plywood if used as the subfloor sheathing and roof decking. Plywood s edges also resist damage better than osb which can crack and fray upon impact and over time.

Osb is also more consistent than plywood. Osb takes longer to get wet than plywood but also takes longer to dry out. For plywood it is like 5 to 10 more expensive. The glue and resin that is mixed in with the wood chips makes it much less permeable so osb holds up longer in harsher conditions.