Is CDX or OSB better?

Although some people will ultimately choose CDX, many experts argue that OSB is better overall for roofing. OSB is far less likely to expand and contract when exposed to humidity and moisture, even though it will take longer to dry. With wrapping, though, it can withstand the elements without issue.
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Why is CDX cheaper than OSB?

Oriented strand board (OSB) combines wood chips, glue, and resin into the shape of a sheet of plywood and bakes them together. What is this? It is often less expensive than CDX plywood because this manufacturing process doesn't require the same costly veneers found on the front and back of CDX plywood.
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Is CDX plywood the same as OSB?

The structural characteristics of both are equivalent, and it's true that they can be used interchangeably. new roof or starting a roof repair. CDX has the edge.
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Is CDX or OSB better for subfloor?

CDX and OSB are used for almost similar things, but because they have different features, one is better applied in some tasks and the other one on other tasks. CDX is best for sub-flooring.
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What is the best material for roof sheathing?

1) Plywood

This sheathing option is considered one of the strongest and more durable options. Typically, they come in 4-foot by 8-foot sheets. Rafters and joints that are spaced further apart will require thicker sheets of plywood to prevent roof sagging.
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Which is better OSB or CDX plywood?



Is OSB OK for roofing?

Using OSB For Roof Sheathing

You can use an OSB body for the exterior roof sheathing on your home. The OSB material is different from plywood. But it has become increasingly popular for roofers. It's all thanks to how well the OSB material can stay strong and secure for long-term use.
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Which plywood is best for roofing?

CDX plywood is considered the best roof sheathing material because of its better dimensional stability. That means it's hardly waterproof and readily absorbs water, but it also sheds the water quickly and reverts to its original shape and thickness effortlessly.
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Can I use CDX for subfloor?

Although considered an exterior plywood, CDX is often utilized as the subfloor for kitchens and bathrooms— especially for floors destined to be finished with ceramic tiles.
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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.
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Is CDX plywood waterproof?

Keep in mind that this kind of plywood is water resistant, not waterproof, and can still be ruined from a leaking tub or toilet. CDX plywood is often used under shingles and roofing felt, on walls (just behind the siding and insulation), and as a sub floor just under the carpet pad or a tiled floor's durock.
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What is CDX plywood used for?

CDX Plywood is used primarily by contractors to build exterior walls and roofs. CDX plywood has one side veneer grade “C” and one side veneer grade “D”. The two are bonded together with glue which can withstand a little moisture. The APA would recognize CDX Grade Plywood as C-D Exposure 1 plywood.
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Is CDX used for roofing?

CDX Plywood

A special grade of plywood called “CDX” is a popular choice for roof sheathing. No, the “X” in CDXplywood does not stand for “exterior.” Rather, it references the kind of glue used to bond the layers of veneer together. CDX plywood can withstand temporary exposure to rain and other moisture sources.
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Is CDX plywood rated for outdoor use?

CDX plywood, a stock item at most lumberyards, is a utility grade suitable for most outdoor projects.
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Is OSB more water resistant than plywood?

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.
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Is plywood better than OSB for subfloor?

This evolved plywood may claim an overall advantage over OSB, since plywood is a stiffer, longer-lasting subfloor option. It will also hold up better under flooring accidents like leaks or flooding, and has greater nail withdrawal strength to hold the nail in under stress.
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Is OSB OK for subfloor?

Around the 1990s, OSB began to make in-roads into the plywood market for subflooring. Most local codes allow OSB to be used for subflooring. It's always best to check with your local permitting office before using OSB for your subfloor. One advantage that OSB has over plywood is its larger formatting.
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What plywood should I use for subfloor?

Standard plywood can be used for subfloors, but a better material is 3/4-inch tongue-and-groove plywood subflooring. The tongue-and-groove edges interlock to resist movement along the panel edges and create an overall stiffer floor.
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Is OSB board better than plywood?

Wood fiber is used more efficiently in osb. 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.
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Can you use CDX plywood inside?

CDX plywood is classified as an "exposure" type of sheathing rather than an "exterior." This means that CDX plywood should only be used inside or on surfaces that will not be exposed to water once the building process is complete.
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Is CDX plywood good?

As you would expect, A is the most expensive and the best quality, in terms of the number of knots on it. The less the number of knots, holes and repaired defects the more expensive the plywood. If so, it therefore, means CDX has the most number of knots and defects, making it a lower grade plywood.
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What is the difference between CDX and ACX plywood?

Since ACX plywood is a higher grade material than say CDX plywood, it is specifically used in cases that require good appearance or a smooth finish, along with durability. Because this plywood is more expensive than other grades of softwood plywood, it is only used where needed, not in all situations.
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What thickness OSB should be used for roofing?

Standard roof sheathing thickness is ½” to ⅝” thick. If you are using OSB for your roof deck, then ⅝” is the recommended thickness. For plywood, which is slightly stronger than strand board, ½” thick is appropriate. Another factor is how far apart your trusses or rafters are spaced.
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What thickness of plywood is used for roofing?

Most Common Thickness

The most common rafter spacing is 24 inches, and 5/8-inch plywood is recommended for that. It will support roof loads for most situations and is the standard for most roof applications. Roofs with very heavy loads may require 3/4-inch thickness.
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Is 7/16 OSB OK for roofing?

OSB is the most-used sheathing material for new roofs and roof replacements. You can use 7/16-inch thick OSB sheets without support for areas where the snow load is 30 pounds per square foot because it's durable and maintains building integrity much longer than other sizes.
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