DIY Builds
Photo by Teona Swift Pexels Logo Photo: Teona Swift

Why is OSB painted green?

A story on green building in Saturday's Home & Real Estate section states that it is a green product because it conserves forest resources by using wood chips that otherwise would be wasted.

Do I need a subpanel in my shed?
Do I need a subpanel in my shed?

If you are only running one circuit to your shed, then you won't need a subpanel. You will, however, need a shut-off switch where the power enters...

Read More »
What is the most stable building material?
What is the most stable building material?

Timber is often considered to be the most sustainable building material within the construction industry. Jul 28, 2021

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

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

Learn More »

Why is OSB painted green?

A story on green building in Saturday's Home & Real Estate section states that it is a green product because it conserves forest resources by using wood chips that otherwise would be wasted.

Why are OSB edges painted?

Will painting OSB make it waterproof?

What does the blue edge on OSB mean?

What kind of paint do you use on OSB?

Is OSB Bad?! (Oriented Strand Board--What It's For / When To Use It...House Sheathing/Subfloor)

Should OSB be painted?

Is OSB ruined if it gets wet?

Does it matter which side of OSB goes down?

Should I leave a gap between OSB boards?

Should you screw or nail OSB board?

How long will OSB last outside if painted?

Can OSB board be left in rain?

What can I put on OSB to make it waterproof?

How toxic is OSB?

Should OSB seams be taped?

What are some of the downsides to using OSB?

Is OSB more likely to rot than plywood?

How do I get a smooth finish on OSB?

Is OSB more waterproof than plywood?

What are the black lines on OSB for?

Can you install OSB upside down?

Do I need to waterproof OSB?

Is OSB stronger than plywood?

Does mold grow on OSB?

OSB (oriented strand board) is a manufactured wood product that contains striated fibers of wood, held together using a strong resin glue. The edges that are cut during the milling process are coated with a waterproof paint to seal them from moisture.You can paint OSB if you want to add to the water-resistant. If you decide to paint it then it must be done before waterproofing so that the paint is also protected from moisture or water. You can use either oil-based or latex-based paints. Then you should apply waterproofing.Blue Ribbon engineered wood panels have racking strength, impact resistance and uniformity for the consistency you need to keep your jobs running smoothly. They're manufactured to not have voids, knots or splits and have an exclusive blue edge coating to help reduce moisture absorption.Use a high quality acrylic latex paint system. The nail lines on the screened side are paint but the grade stamp on the smoother side is ink and may be more difficult to cover. Ask your paint dealer to suggest a sealer as a prime coat.If you want to use OSB as a finish material, you can successfully paint it to make it look good and perhaps even improve its utility.Our OSB is rated “Exposure 1” and that means that it will withstand normal delays in construction. Normal delays and the rain you indicated will not affect the structural properties of the panels. Certainly it would have been better to have covered the roof with a tarp or roofing felt before it rained.Answer. OSB roof panels should always be installed with the grade stamp facing into the attic and the screened surface (with the nail guide lines) facing up. When the grade stamp is covered by roofing, the building inspector will not be able to confirm that the correct OSB roofing panel was used.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.Typically, screws are best for OSB and softwoods due to the heightened chance of splitting and easier removal at a future date. This results in a weaker connection and can damage the integrity of the subfloor or sheathing. Plus, OSB subfloors applied with nails rather than screws are more likely to creak.OSB, which is protected from the elements or sealed with paint or stain, can last for decades. Some exterior OSB wall panels are even guaranteed for 50 years. There are numerous cabins and outbuildings clad in OSB and painted or stained on a 3 to 10-year cycle, that have been going strong for decades.If OSB boards are going to be left outdoors, ideally they should be covered to protect them from rain and moisture. An odd rain shower should not cause much damage. But if they're exposed to several hours of rain, then they could end up swelling.You can buy a high-quality sealer from your home improvement store or local hardware. To apply, soak the tip of the paintbrush in the sealer and brush it over the OSB board's ends and surface. Ensure this process is repeated on both sides, and not just the areas where you made cuts.OSB and plywood exterior sheathing no longer contain Urea Formaldehyde, so they really aren't that toxic anymore, especially on the exterior of a home. But by all means source a non-toxic one if you like, but typically it doesn't have a measurable impact on interior air quality.Installing air sealing tape to seal the seams of OSB sheathing is always a good idea. Air leakage is never good. If you think that "walls need to breathe" means "walls need to leak air," you are wrong. The best tapes for taping OSB seams are Siga Wigluv, Huber Zip System tape, and 3M All Weather flashing tape.“The major disadvantage of OSB is that if it gets exposed to significant amounts of water or moisture, the edges expand by up to 15% ... especially if they are cut edges. This swell will then telegraph onto the shingles or some flooring," according to PATH.Advantages of OSBAspen and Poplar tree species are used. But can also be manufactured from fast growing species and smaller trees. It has more decay resistance than plywood. Shear value through its thickness is twice as that of plywood and hence is the choice for webs of wooden I-joists.For OSB, we recommend that you use a solvent-based varnish. You can choose between high-gloss, matt and silky matt versions. Even special varnish for OSB boards is available. It's important to apply it as thinly as possible.OSB takes longer to get wet than plywood but also takes longer to dry out. When used as a roof sheathing, this tendency to hold moisture means it can degrade faster than plywood when exposed to chronic leaks.OSB panels often have lines at 16- and 24-in. intervals so you know where underlying studs, rafters and joists are for nailing.OSB also has stamping that reads “This Side Down”. This directs the worker on the correct orientation of the board when installing. The side with the stamp is the smoother side. When installed smooth side down, the rough surface will then face up and give the worker traction for safety.Do you need to waterproof OSB? To answer the question “Is oriented strand board waterproof?” the answer is: not completely. That's because it's virtually impossible to prevent some water absorption in a wood-based product, and moisture can be absorbed through cuts in the panel and the wood strands can swell.Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.Oriented strand board—OSB for short—is a common building material used for roofs, floors and walls. As with any building material, if OSB becomes damp, mold can begin to grow. Mold is an unsightly problem with the potential to cause serious health risks for those who come in contact with it or its spores.

What hurts property value?
What hurts property value?

Some of these factors are out of your control, such as market conditions, interest rates, and the economy, while others are very much in your...

Read More »
What size breaker do I need for a shed?
What size breaker do I need for a shed?

Most shed owners need a couple of outlets and some lights to see what they're doing. Typically the most amps you'll need are a little over 15 to...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

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

Learn More »
Can I get pallets from Walmart?
Can I get pallets from Walmart?

To buy customer return pallets of Walmart merchandise, you will have to look for a liquidation company. The trick is not to buy from just any...

Read More »
These are the Best Shed Plans!
These are the Best Shed Plans!

Comprehensive and Intuitive to follow. Build That Shed!

Learn More »
What is the number one smell mice hate?
What is the number one smell mice hate?

But what exactly do mice and rats hate to smell? Mice can be kept away by using the smells of peppermint oil, cinnamon, vinegar, citronella,...

Read More »