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How much is a sheet of OSB?

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a construction material commonly used for wall sheathing, floor underlayment, roofing, and siding. The average cost of OSB is $32 to $77 per 4-by-8-foot sheet, depending on the type and thickness.

angi.com - The Real Cost of Using OSB Board for Your Home Project

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Highlights OSB board costs $32–$77 per 4-by-8-foot sheet

The type—sheathing or subfloor—will impact price

You can install DIY OSB subflooring or sheathing or hire a pro

Get quotes from up to 3 pros ! Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Find pros To successfully install materials like siding, luxury vinyl planks, or shingles, you need a supportive and durable layer between the studs, floor joists, or rafters. This is where OSB comes in. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a construction material commonly used for wall sheathing, floor underlayment, roofing, and siding. The average cost of OSB is $32 to $77 per 4-by-8-foot sheet, depending on the type and thickness. Here’s a full breakdown of how much it costs to use OSB board for your home reno project, whether it’s a kitchen remodel or building a shed . National Average Cost Minimum Cost Maximum Cost $49 per 4-by-8-foot sheet $32 per 4-by-8-foot sheet $77 per 4-by-8-foot sheet OSB Sheathing OSB Subfloor $1.00 – $1.82 per sq. ft. $1.56 – $2.41 per sq. ft.

OSB Sheathing

Wall sheathing should usually be at least 7/16-inch thick, but in some cases, 1/4-inch may be enough. OSB wall sheathing comes in standard 4-by-8-foot sheets, which costs $32 to $58 per sheet. “If you are using OSB, or any plywood for that matter, for sheathing, you need to use a sheathing tape,” says Bob Tschudi, an Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “This tape straddles the seams and keeps water away from the vulnerable edges of the wood which will quickly swell and deteriorate once it comes in contact with moisture. Sheathing tape is not expensive and is well worth the investment.”

OSB Subfloor

Subflooring should be at least 3/4-inch thick to offer insulation and durability. Thicker panels carry a higher price than thinner OSB panels. OSB subflooring panels come in 4-by-8-foot sheets that cost between $50 and $77 per sheet. Related Article Why the Right Wood for your Home Makes a Difference Here's what a 74-year-old beam can teach us about using wood effectively in our homes.

How Much Does OSB Board Cost by Thickness?

OSB ranges from $32 to $77 per 4-by-8-foot sheet. The cost per panel depends mostly on thickness, ranging from 1/4-inch to 23/32-inch. Here are standard thicknesses and their costs per sheet:

1/4-inch: $32–$37

7/16-inch: $34–$51

1/2 inch: $34–$51

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23/32-inch: $50–$56

3/4-inch: $58–$77

OSB Cost Breakdown

No matter the project, installing OSB is largely made up of materials and labor. You’ll also need a few tools if you’re doing the project yourself.

Boards

First, measure your space to determine how many boards you’ll need. Most boards come in 4-by-8-foot sheets, though you can get handy panels that are smaller but usually cost a bit more per square foot. No matter if you’re installing wall sheathing or subflooring, you’ll need some standard tools to install your OSB board: Tool Cost Tape measure $10 – $40 Level $10 – $30 Chalk line $8 – $30 Circular saw (with a carbide blade) $140 – $370 Hammer $12 – $31 Nail gun $130 – $400 8D (common) nails $6 – $20

Labor

The labor cost to install OSB board ranges from $25 to $30 per hour, depending on the project's complexity and size of the space. If you want to waterproof your OSB or prime and paint it, you’ll need to pay more for the extra labor and supplies.

Cost to Install OSB Board Yourself

To install OSB yourself, you’ll need the boards and nails along with a few tools (circular saw, tape measure, level, chalk line, and hammer or nail gun). Installing exterior wall sheathing and subflooring can be done yourself if you’re an experienced DIYer. You’ll want to ensure you install the OSB boards the proper distance apart, usually with a 1/8-inch gap between boards. You also want your boards to be secure and level, as they are the foundation for your walls, flooring, or roofing. “When we install OSB in any area that has the potential to be exposed to moisture, we take the time to do two things,” Tschudi says. “The first thing we do is coat all the edges with painters’ caulk. The second thing we do is paint the surface with several coats of paint. Since color doesn’t matter, we can get paint from big box stores at very low costs—their paint departments always have a rack of paint that was mixed the wrong color or was returned at a fraction of the cost. Just roll it on and your OSB is moisture resistant for a very long time.” When OSB is installed correctly, you’re less likely to experience water damage or instability down the road. Depending on your skill level and how much time you have available, you may decide to hire a local flooring installer or rough carpenter .

Cost to Install It Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor

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You’ll spend about $25 to $30 per hour on labor when installing OSB sheathing or subflooring. The length of time depends on the size of the area and any intricacies, such as installing subflooring around a toilet. Proper installation can save you money down the road, as it can prevent costly water damage or weak flooring or roofing.

4 Ways You Can Save Money While Installing OSB Board

You can protect your budget in a few ways when installing OSB panels: Measure your project space accurately and double-check before cutting boards to avoid material waste. Choose standard sizes for your space to reduce labor costs and the amount of materials needed for customization. Shop around at home improvement stores for the best price, especially if you’re tackling a more extensive project where you’ll need a lot of OSB panels. Install OSB board yourself instead of hiring a contractor, or do some of the work yourself, such as ripping up old flooring. Related Article What is Engineered Wood For Home Use? Installing engineered wood can save money and hassle when it comes to DIY projects

OSB Board Questions and Answers

What is OSB, and how is it manufactured?

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is made of large, flat wood chips bonded in layers with glue and compressed into sheets. OSB is typically sold as panels and tongue-and-groove panels by home improvement stores and lumber and construction supply companies.

How do OSB prices affect sheathing sales?

OSB is a common material used in sheathing, so when OSB prices go up, so does the cost of sheathing. Depending on the economy and supply chain, increased costs can reduce demand, though some homeowners proceed with their projects despite the elevated expenses.

Why is OSB now more expensive than plywood?

OSB prices fluctuate because of increased demand, fewer supplies, and longer engineering time. Just like lumber prices, OSB and plywood prices have risen dramatically since 2020. Related Article How to Choose Between Wood or Composite Decking Materials Wood and composite decking are both popular options, but each comes with different strengths and weaknesses