Can OSB be used as subfloor?

OSB Subflooring. OSB subfloor serves as a base under the finish floor (hardwood, engineered wood, vinyl tile, etc.) and even below the underlayment, in some cases. Plywood has long been used for subflooring.

Is plywood or OSB better for a subfloor?

OSB has a lower resale value than plywood due to its lower strength. For this reason, few homeowners prefer OSB in their homes. Apart from costs, plywood is superior in all the other areas, such as the strength of the structure. For this reason, it's a superior material for use on the subfloor.

Is OSB a good subfloor?

A well-installed subfloor should last as long as the house itself, but OSB is slightly more flexible than plywood, so it is not the best choice under heavy flooring like ceramic or stone tile.

Can I use OSB instead of plywood?

Industry voices from panel manufacturers or their main trade group—APA – The Engineered Wood Association—say that there's no real difference between the two panels: OSB's and plywood's structural characteristics are equivalent, and they can be used interchangeably.

Can I use OSB for hardwood subfloor?

OSB can accommodate glue-down, nail/staple or floating hardwood installations. With glue-down, follow the hardwood flooring manufacturer's guidelines. Some prohibit water-based adhesives given the potential for both the flooring and wood substrate to absorb moisture from the glue.

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

How thick should OSB subfloor be?

The minimum thickness of plywood for subflooring is about 5/8 inch. Since it does not hold fasteners as well as plywood, OSB must be a little thicker, or at least 23/32 inch.

Can I use 7/16 OSB for subfloor?

Oriented strand board, or OSB, is a wood structural panel that can also be used for flooring. It is made from shredded strands of wood pressed together with wax and a special adhesive, then hot pressed into a panel with up to 50 layers of strands. OSB can be used for subfloors, although it is not as common as CDX.

Can you use OSB for bathroom subfloor?

OSB Subflooring

However, OSB is known for swelling around the edges when exposed to water. For tile flooring, this can cause bending and cracking, which is why it is discouraged as a subfloor material for tiling.

What is the best subfloor material?

Plywood. Plywood is considered the most popular material used for subflooring, it has been used since the 1950s and remains one of the top choices for contractors. Standard plywood works perfectly fine as a subflooring material, but the best option is ¾” tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring.

Is OSB ruined if it gets wet?

OSB won't be completely destroyed by water, unlike MDF or similar interior laminate materials; however, like any wood product, it will swell and shrink as it absorbs and releases water, so you should typically avoid more than casual contact with water.

Is OSB strong enough for flooring?

OSB doesn't work as a floor covering because of: Appearance: OSB is not attractive enough to serve as a floor covering. Not only is the chip-board appearance unattractive, but the surface is also often marked with grid lines and manufacturer markings.

Which side goes down on OSB subfloor?

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.

Can you install vinyl plank on OSB?

Yes, provided it meets the specifications required for subfloor preparation. Bear in mind that plywood and OSB substrates tend to get 'roughed up' during construction, and any imperfections in the surface will eventually telegraph through to the surface of the floor.

How long does it take OSB to rot?

Sheets situated so they air dry on both faces between wettings will outlast those that only dry on one side or are always damp. OSB, which is unable to dry out, can rot within a matter of months, while panels that can dry out may last more than a decade.

Can you use sheathing as subfloor?

Like Sturd-I-Floor, Rated Sheathing may be plywood or OSB. When used as a subfloor, Rated Sheathing typically requires installation of an additional layer of underlayment on top of it before finish flooring can be applied. The underlayment requirements vary depending on the finish flooring.

What is OSB plywood used for?

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.

Is 18mm OSB suitable for flooring?

OSB tongue and groove 18mm boards are suitable and widely used in structural (manufactured in accordance with EN 13986) and interior applications, such as: Load bearing roofing & flooring applications.

Is OSB cheaper than plywood?

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.

How do you seal OSB subfloor?

Sealing OSB. For cases where OSB is more likely to be exposed to moisture, it's a good idea to coat the OSB on the surface and edges with a waterproofing product, such as Thompson Water Seal, Flex Seal, or Liquid Rubber's waterproofing sealant. Even latex paint will work.

Can you waterproof OSB?

You just need to use a paintbrush to apply the waterproofing coat on the OSB pieces. Repeat applying it on each side. It will take about 12 to 14 hours for the waterproofing to dry. To ensure that the OSB is waterproof pour some water on the OSB piece and wait for a few hours.

How thick should subfloor be in bathroom?

Make Sure Your Subfloor is Structurally Stable

The installation guide for 1/4 inch HardieBacker recommends having wood subfloors made of 5/8 inch exterior grade plywood or OSB (oriented strand board) that is 23/32 inches thick.

Do you need two layers of subfloor?

The subfloor has to be attached to the joists, and two subfloor layers glued together or just nailed through to the joists, is no different than one thicker subfloor layer.

Why is 7/16 OSB so expensive?

Increasing OSB prices are due to demand over supply, increasing construction starts, and several natural disasters. As contractors, architects, and building owners struggle to offset the high OSB prices, an excellent alternative sheathing product to consider is Barricade Thermo-Brace.

Is OSB load bearing?

Due to its inherent strength (see below), OSB is particularly suitable for load-bearing applications in construction but it also has a wide range of other applications.