The modern domestic market of building materials is characterized by a huge assortment of chip products that are used to align walls and floors. Since plywood and OSB boards began to be on sale, there has been a lot of debate among builders about which of these varieties has the best characteristics.
Let's figure it out, compare the physical and mechanical properties of both materials and find out which is better: plywood or OSB board.
What is plywood?
Plywood sheets are multi-layer veneer panels. In the process of their production, the manufacturer alternates the direction of wood fibers, which gives the final product sufficient strength.
Practice shows that the pressed veneer is able to withstand heavy loads. Sheets can be used in conditions of moderate humidity and in places that are subjected to intense physical stress. These properties contribute to the use of the material as a rough floor and wall cladding.
To find the answer to the question of which is better: plywood or OSB, you should study the main characteristics of each material, highlight the positive properties and disadvantages.
Plywood benefits
The main advantage of plywood sheets is that over time, products do not shrink and deform. A large number of layers of veneer in the plate makes the material durable and resistant to many factors. The coating made of plywood serves for many years and does not require repair.
Many masters prefer veneered sheets because of their impeccable smoothness. On top of such a base, you can lay tiles, glue wallpapers and perform other cladding.
Large plywood sizes help speed up the repair process. The products are very easy to process and easy to install. Also, the environmental qualities of such products can be attributed to positive qualities. It contains no harmful resins and formaldehyde, which makes it possible to use the material in children's rooms and public institutions.
Answering the question of which is better - plywood or OSB, it should be noted that the veneer material has several varieties, which affects its final characteristics.
Varieties of plywood
When choosing blanks for flooring or walls, pay attention to the fact that all plywood is divided into 4 grades. Each of them has the following features:
- The most budgetary products are sheets of the 4th grade. They have a large number of knots, tar spots. Such a variety is made from the most low-quality wood, it is practically not processed and not polished in the production process. If we compare what is better - OSB board or plywood of the 4th class, then the first option should definitely be preferred.
- Sheets of the 3rd grade already have fewer flaws, but they also need additional grinding. Such products can already be used to equip the rough floor.
- Second-class veneered products are characterized by excellent quality and almost perfect appearance. On such a sheet there can be only minor cracks that can be easily repaired with putty.
- Materials of the 1st grade are considered the best, but also quite expensive. Products look very attractive and have the highest strength indicators.
There is plywood and an elite variety. It is made from precious wood and used to finish the walls and floor. If the choice is between such plywood or OSB (on the walls, as a finishing finish), then by external indicators veneered sheets definitely win.
Characteristics of OSB-plates
OSB is made from waste wood processing enterprises. The main raw material is coniferous wood chips, which are carefully glued together during the production process and form strong plates of specified sizes.
OSB is considered to be an excellent building material, which can be used not only to create rough foundations, but also for the construction of frame buildings. This is facilitated by the high strength of the products, which exceeds the performance of plywood. The particle board is able to withstand a load of 100 kg for every 1 m 2 .
When considering the issue of which is better - plywood or OSB, one should take into account the distinctive characteristics of chip material. These include:
- resistance to cracking and delamination (which cannot be said about plywood);
- highest shear strength;
- a light weight;
- affordable cost.
They have similar plates and a number of disadvantages. Firstly, they are more difficult to process, and secondly, they release substances harmful to humans into the air. Use them as decoration for residential premises is not recommended. The only exceptions are those situations when the plate is faced with tile or stone, putty or glued with a roll finish.
Varieties of OSB-plates
Like the previous version, OSB-plates are divided into 4 groups. Billets of the first group have the lowest strength characteristics. They are cheap and are more often used for furniture.
Plates of the second group are already more durable. They are suitable for arranging a rough base for decoration. Such products are able to withstand short-term contact with moisture.
The third group is the most common. It is such products that are universally used to create raised floors. It has sufficient strength and resistance to temperature changes and humidity levels.
The most expensive products are plates of the fourth group. They are characterized by maximum strength and are used to create walls and partitions in the process of building construction. If you cannot decide which is better - plywood or OSB, install high-strength particle boards on the walls.
Comparison of both materials
If you try to determine the differences between these two materials, then, in addition to the production method and operational characteristics, the following can be distinguished:
- The basic price tag for plywood exceeds the cost of medium-quality OSB. However, heavy-duty and elite varieties of OSB can cost more than plywood. Manufacturers justify this fact by using expensive impregnations, varnishes and decorating additives in the chip material. At the same time, decorative varieties of plywood significantly exceed the cost of OSB with average strength indicators.
- The structure of the OSB board is represented by 4 layers, and as for plywood, the number of veneer layers is not limited, which increases the strength of the product.
If you compare the properties of OSB, plywood and particleboard, which is better - it’s hard to understand right away. If you need easy and affordable material, choose OSB, in cases where the budget is very limited, use chipboard. However, remember that the edges of this material may break off over time. If strength comes first, it is best to choose plywood. But this option will be the most expensive.
Wall Cladding Material
OSB is very actively used in frame construction and for the manufacture of sandwich panels. This is due to their lightness and affordable price tag. If we are talking about the cladding of houses built according to Canadian technology, then it is better to give preference to OSB. They do not heavily load the frame and serve for a long time.
However, if from an environmental point of view we consider that it is better - plywood or OSB on the walls of the house, then the veneered material definitely wins. It does not emit harmful substances during heating, but the estimate for construction with its use immediately increases.
The advantage of OSB is its excellent heat and sound insulation abilities, which is very important for frame buildings. Plywood loses in these qualities. However, if you sheathe walls indoors, it is better to use it.
What is better to level the floor?
If you are dealing with a concrete base, then alignment is best done using OSB-plates. This recommendation is based on the fact that such products are more resistant to moisture, which porous concrete can absorb. What is better for the floor (plywood or OSB) is determined depending on the degree of curvature.
Veneered sheets are more resistant to bending, which means they last longer on uneven surfaces. But here it is still important to choose the optimal thickness of the products.
If we are talking about plank flooring, then both materials can be used to level it. The main criterion for choosing in such a situation is your financial capabilities and the ability to work with similar products.
The choice of material depending on the method of finishing
Novice masters often ask: "What is better for the laminate: plywood or OSB?" In fact, for laminated panels, you can use one and the other option, since they are stacked on top of a special substrate. In this case, the main task of the plates is to level the surface. Evaluate your budget and feel free to choose the material according to your capabilities.
As for the roll coating, when asked what is better for linoleum - plywood or OSB, most experts answer that it is more expedient to use plywood. It is smoother and therefore better suited for thin coatings. If you use OSB, then get ready for the fact that you have to grind the base before laying linoleum.