What are the black lines on OSB for?

OSB panels often have lines at 16- and 24-in. intervals so you know where underlying studs, rafters and joists are for nailing.

familyhandyman.com - Oriented Strand Board (OSB board) vs. Plywood - The Family Handyman

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Oriented Strand Board (OSB board) vs. Plywood

OSB vs plywood: Is one better than the other for sheathing?

Family Handyman OSB and plywood can both be used for walls, floors and roofs, but there are some differences between them. Here's a rundown of the advantages and disadvantages of each. You might also like: TBD

Choosing sheathing: OSB vs Plywood

OSB vs Plywood: Water Test The edges of the 1/2-in. oriented strand board (OSB board) that soaked in my bathtub overnight swelled almost 1/4 in. (and stayed swollen), while the plywood remained stable. The lesson? Don’t store OSB in a full bathtub. Kept high and dry during storage and after installation, OSB has the same strength and durability as plywood but costs less. OSB vs Plywood: Fast Fact In 2001, oriented strand board surpassed plywood in terms of square footage produced. OSB is now used for about 70 percent of all floor, wall and roof sheathing in North America. Building codes, the Engineered Wood Association, architects and most builders rate plywood and oriented strand board (OBS sheathing) equal in strength and durability. Like-thicknesses of these two products can span the same distances between studs or rafters, weigh about the same and offer similar nail-holding abilities. OSB has its advantages. Some panels have a textured surface, which makes them less slippery when used for roof sheathing. OSB panels often have lines at 16- and 24-in. intervals so you know where underlying studs, rafters and joists are for nailing. In our area, 1/2-in. OSB sheathing costs a few dollars less per sheet than 1/2-in. plywood. And OSB is available in 4 x 9-ft. sheets, which means you can sheathe an 8-ft. tall wall and the joists below with a single sheet. OSB sheathing has one irritating characteristic—but only if you abuse the stuff. The edges tend to swell when they get wet and remain swollen even after drying out. This results in ridges that can “telegraph” through shingles, and even carpet when OSB sheathing is used for subfloors. So store your OSB wood in a dry place, then cover it with tarpaper or siding ASAP to protect it from the elements.

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Should I leave a gap between OSB boards?

apawood.org - APA Builder Tips: Prevent Buckling With Proper Spacing, Form M300

APA recommends a 1/8-inch space between panel edge and end joints. Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), like all wood products, will expand or shrink slightly with changes in moisture content. If the wood structural panels are tightly butted, there is no room for expansion and buckling can occur. That can mean costly, time-consuming callbacks. To assure best performance, follow these panel spacing and nailing recommendations for APA Rated Sheathing, APA Rated Sturd-I-Floor®, and APA Rated Siding. Spacing Hint: Use a 10d box nail to gauge 1/8-inch spacing between panels. Spacer-type panel edge clips may also be used for roof sheathing applications.

NOTES:

Panel spacing is an APA RECOMMENDATION, to provide installers with a means of minimizing the potential for panel buckling; however, it is not a requirement. Some manufacturers may require a space at the time of installation. Panel buckling may be an aesthetic or serviceability issue but is not a structural deficiency. There is no reason to expect this recommended space to be maintained when the panel becomes acclimated. Gaps that were initially present may have closed due to normal moisture-related expansion. If the flatness of sheathing or flooring panels is acceptable, APA would generally recommend that any finish flooring, siding or roofing be installed as planned regardless of whether gaps are present. For additional information, visit the APA Publication Library and refer to the following APA publications: • Engineered Wood Construction Guide, Form E30 (Nail sizes covered in Table 5).

• Technical Note: Temporary Expansion Joints for Large Buildings, Form U425.

• Data File: Roof Sheathing Fastening Schedules for Wind Uplift, Form T325.

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