OSB, or oriented strand board, is a wood product made of compressed and glued wood strands. It is used in construction for cladding, sub-floors, and roofing. OSB is cheaper than plywood and can be made from fast-growing trees. It is resistant to warping and swelling and has a long lifespan. There are different types of OSB boards for various purposes.
An oriented particle board, or OSB for short, is a wood product made up of strands or chips of wood that have been compressed and glued together to form a strong sheet or board of wood. The wood used to create OSB boards typically comes from fast-growing tree species such as yellow pine and bamboo. Also known as waferboard, these panels are used extensively in the construction industry, particularly for cladding, sub-floors and roofing. OSB boards come in many different sizes and thicknesses, including 4 feet x 8 feet x 0.5 inches (about 1.2 meters x 2.4 meters x 1.3 centimeters).
OSB boards are produced by compressing layers of wood strands which are bonded together with wax and resin based adhesives. The strands themselves are small and are cross-layered. The thickness of an OSB panel varies, although they are typically about 0.5 to 0.75 inches (about 1.3 to 1.9 centimeters) thick.
Compression of the wood strands is typically achieved with the use of a heat press. During the compression process, the strands are bonded together with the help of waterproof and oil resistant, heat and pressure resistant resin. This process helps to avoid gaps or internal spaces which, in turn, helps ensure a product that is rigid, sturdy and water resistant.
This compression process results in large OSB mats which are then cut into individual panels and packaged for marketing. The borate-modified wood products used in OSB boards help protect the boards from termites, mold and mildew. Additionally, the resins used in OSB board emit very low levels of formaldehyde.
To the layman, an OSB board might look a lot like plywood or particle board. In fact, the three products are used for many of the same purposes. There are some important differences, however. OSB is cheaper than plywood because it can be made from small pieces of wood, rather than the large sheets of wood that plywood is made of. This means OSB can be harvested from younger, faster growing trees than plywood. Both particleboard and plywood have smoother finishes than OSB and therefore are better suited for uses that require a smooth finish.
Newer OSB boards are resistant to warping and swelling. The isocyanate resins used in the formation of these boards help bind the strands together without the need for significant compression, resulting in lighter weight boards. Sealants are applied to the edges of an OSB board to prevent water from entering through the sides. As a result, OSB boards typically have a long life with some manufacturers giving warranties of up to 50 years.
There are several types of OSB boards. Some common types include OSB Sandwich Panel, OSB Tin/Zinc Coated Roof, OSB Fiber Cement Decking, OSB Wood Beam, and OSB Floor Board. OSB subfloor boards have tongue and groove edges to interlock them throughout the subfloor.
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