Why is OSB cheaper than plywood because?

OSB is more uniform, so there are fewer soft spots, such as those that can occur in plywood. OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood.

nachi.org - OSB vs. Plywood - InterNACHI®

Does running a business from home affect home insurance?

In short, yes. DSH Insurance's standard home building insurance policy will typically not provide sufficient cover if you run a business from home....

Last updated Sep 28, 2018

What kind of loan can you get to build a Barndominium?

With a USDA construction loan, you only need to close once. You can buy land, build a barndominium, and finance the home with a single loan. The...

Last updated Aug 6, 2021

Promotion

by Nick Gromicko, CMI®

Oriented strand board (OSB) and plywood are wood structural panels made by compressing and gluing pieces of wood together. While OSB and plywood appear similar and are generally interchangeable, the different ways that each material is manufactured contribute to each having its own unique strengths and weaknesses.

What are they, and how are they made?

OSB is manufactured from heat-cured adhesives and rectangular- shaped wood strands that are arranged in cross-oriented layers. Produced in large, continuous mats, OSB is a solid-panel product of consistent quality with few voids or gaps. The finished product is an engineered wood panel that shares many of the strength and performance characteristics of plywood. Plywood is made from thin sheets of veneer (layers of wood that are peeled from a spinning log) that are cross-laminated and glued together with a hot press. Throughout the thickness of the panel, the grain of each layer is positioned perpendicular to the adjacent layer. The finished product is made from an odd number of layers so that a balance is maintained around its central access. Since it is made from whole layers of logs rather than small strands, plywood has a more consistent and less rough appearance than OSB.

A few facts about OSB and plywood:

While OSB developed fairly recently, it became more popular than plywood in North America by 2000. Today, nearly twice as much OSB as plywood is produced in North America. 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 – less than seven times as much as was produced in North America that year. While both products are made from different materials, and some builders strongly prefer one or the other, OSB and plywood are both manufactured according to the same performance standards.

OSB can be made from narrower, faster growing trees than plywood.

In favor of OSB:

OSB can be manufactured into panels that are larger than plywood.

OSB is more uniform, so there are fewer soft spots, such as those that can occur in plywood.

Do sheds increase home value?

A shed can even help to increase your asking price when you decide it's time to sell. In fact, some professionals estimate that a new shed could...

Last updated Sep 16, 2018

Which is cheaper a deck or concrete patio?

It's cheaper to build a concrete patio in terms of both the initial cost to lay a concrete patio, as well as its cost of maintenance over time. A...

Last updated Mar 7, 2021

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

OSB is less expensive than plywood. To build a typical 2,400-square foot home, OSB may cost $700 less than plywood. OSB is considered by many to be a “green” building material because it can be made from smaller-diameter trees, such as poplars, that are often farmed. Plywood production, by contrast, requires larger-diameter trees from old-growth forests. Plywood has a tendency to delaminate, especially in hot climates such as Florida.

In favor of plywood:

While plywood and OSB both off-gas formaldehyde, OSB off-gasses more of the carcinogenic gas. Plywood, OSB, and other engineered wood products that contain glue can be stored outdoors for several weeks before construction so that much of the dangerous gasses are vented safely into the outdoors. OSB weighs more than plywood. One 23/32-inch 4x8-foot plywood piece weighs approximately 67 pounds, while a piece of OSB of the same dimensions weighs approximately 78 pounds. The increased weight of OSB means that it is harder to install and it will put more stress on the house. dimensions weighs approximately 78 pounds. The increased weight of OSB means that it is harder to install and it will put more stress on the house. Compared to plywood, OSB swells more when it comes into contact with water, especially at panel edges. Swell is generally greater in OSB than in plywood due to the release of compaction stress in OSB created during the pressing of wood chips into panels. Swollen plywood will return to its nominal thickness as the wood dries, while OSB will remain permanently swollen, to some degree. Swelling is a nuisance because it can uplift whatever materials lie above, such as tile or carpet. Plywood floors are stiffer than OSB floors by a factor of approximately 10%. As a result, OSB floors are more likely to: squeak due to floor movement; cause hard floor surfaces to crack (such as tile); and result in soft, spongy floors.

nachi.org - OSB vs. Plywood - InterNACHI®

Why is property so overpriced?

Augmentation of Land Prices Over time, population increases have led to fewer land in the country. There is no shortage, but the ground is usually...

Last updated Oct 25, 2018

Which is better a metal shed or a wooden shed?

Metal Sheds Are Very Durable As a material, metal is always going to be more durable than wood, and the same is true of sheds. Metal is extremely...

Last updated Jan 22, 2021

Promotion

How do I keep rats and mice out of my wood pile?

How To Deter Rodents Away From Your Woodpile Store wood far away from the house. ... Get it off the ground and keep it covered. ... Rotate the...

Last updated Jan 2, 2021

Promotion

How much does it cost to build a 12x12 deck?

Cost to Build a Deck by Size Size Pressure-treated wood Average cost per sq ft Composite decking Average cost per sq ft 10x10 $650 $1,400 10x20...

Last updated Oct 28, 2020