What’s OSB and the place can you employ it in your undertaking?
Regardless of its uninspiring identify and haphazard look, there may be far more to OSB than meets the attention. It’s in reality a flexible timber-based board appropriate for a variety of DIY and residential renovation tasks.
It is generally used as an alternative choice to plywood and, in some instances, as a plasterboard different, including an industrial aesthetic to inside design tasks. Whereas it may very well be argued that it is much less visually interesting, its composition nonetheless makes it a really enticing choice for a lot of DIY builds the place aesthetics aren’t the primary precedence.
Right here, we delve into the place it may be used, its advantages and disadvantages, and the way a lot you may count on to pay.
What does OSB stand for?
OSB stands for Oriented Strand Board. Paul Kerr, constructing specialist at Beatsons, explains its make-up. “It is mainly a wooden panel made by warmth urgent wooden strands with glue.”
Mark Irving, constructing skilled at Construct & Plumb, explains what makes it applicable to be used in quite a lot of DIY tasks. “The boards are sturdy and sturdy, which implies they’re generally used for development tasks.”
Store OSB board and instruments to guard it
This 18mm thick OSB board is available in sheets measuring 2440mm x 1220mm, making it very best for flooring and partitions. It is freed from pure defects and is moisture-resistant
Rustins Fast Dry MDF Sealer
A fast-drying sealer that works on most forms of wooden, together with MDF and OSB. The sealer goes on milky white, so you may see the place you’ve painted, nevertheless it dries clear
This brush and curler set is good for sealing and portray. It features a 9-inch curler tray, 3 medium-pile curler sleeves, and 1-inch and 2-inch brushes
Paul Kerr is a constructing specialist at Beatsons Constructing Provides Restricted, the place he advises householders and commerce professionals on sturdy, sensible options for residence renovation.
Mark has over 20 years of expertise within the constructing sector, resulting in a wealth of data surrounding constructing and renovating that he enjoys sharing with others who wish to full their very own constructing tasks.
Widespread makes use of for OSB
OSB is a well-liked alternative for lots of DIY and residence renovation tasks, nevertheless it’s sometimes used inside the house explains Mark Irving. “OSB is mostly utilized in inside development tasks, as it’s extremely sturdy and sturdy. Usually, it is going to be used for wall sheathing, roofing, loft boarding and web site hoarding.
“OSB may also be used for subfloors, partition partitions, and shelving” he provides, “because it supplies a strong, secure floor.”
OSB is never used for work exterior the house notes Paul Kerr, “because the boards are often not weatherproof, and except handled particularly, shouldn’t be used for exterior tasks.”
If nonetheless the boards are protected or handled, they can be utilized on a variety of tasks, continues Mark. “OSB may be appropriate for large-scale constructing tasks comparable to timber-frame development, sheds and DIY renovations.”
And, whereas it is typically coated over, it may also be left uncovered says Paul. “You generally see the odd inside design undertaking utilizing OSB for rustic shelving and tables,” he agrees. It’s additionally generally left naked on partitions to create a extra industrial aesthetic.
Professionals and cons of OSB
Mark Irving reveals the important thing advantages and disadvantages of OSB:
Professionals
- COST-EFFECTIVE: It’s sometimes cheaper than plywood but presents the identical structural power, making it the most well-liked alternative for big development tasks the place budgeting is essential.
- DURABILITY: As a result of the wooden strands are layered in several instructions, OSB presents distinctive load-bearing power, making it very best for flooring and roofing.
- CONSISTENCY: OSB panels are sometimes manufactured in constant sizes and densities to cut back weak spots and voids typically present in timber tasks.
Cons
- VULNERABLE TO MOISTURE: Commonplace, untreated OSB can typically swell or deteriorate if uncovered to moisture and water, significantly round panel edges.
- APPEARANCE: Whereas it’s extremely sensible, OSB has a rougher, extra industrial look than commonplace timber or plywood, so it’s typically not an ideal alternative for ornamental purposes.
- HEAVY: OSB is often a lot heavier than commonplace plywood, which means transportation and dealing with may be tougher.
What sizes does it are available in and the way a lot does OSB price?
In addition to its power and sturdiness, there’s another excuse why it is so enticing for DIYers and that is the fee. Nonetheless, the worth is set by a number of components, together with dimension, thickness, and grade.
“OSB is among the extra inexpensive choices for development, with costs ranging between £15 and £35 per sheet,” says Mark Irving.
“The business commonplace is 2400mm x 1200mm, and the thickness varies from 9mm as much as 18mm,” expands Paul Kerr. “The thinnest OSBs often begin from round £10, and often do not promote for greater than £25.”
For instance of worth, this OSB 3 OSB 2440mm x 1220mm x 9mm from B&Q sells for just below £20. The smallest dimension sells for round £11. This 18mm OSB 3 OSB 2440mm x 1220mm x 18mm from B&Q sells for £24.
The price of OSB can also be why it is thought of a sexy different to plywood in sure conditions, continues Mark.
“Usually, OSB is cheaper, which makes it the perfect alternative for structural purposes the place the looks of the undertaking is much less essential than the funds or the efficiency.“
“It is often about 20% cheaper than a plywood board,” provides Paul, “which is the explanation why it is taken over as the most well-liked board for inside framing work.”
FAQs
Ought to I exploit nails or screws to suit OSB?
Each nails and screws can be utilized to put in OSB. Which one you employ can depend upon the undertaking. If putting in OSB on inside partitions, ceilings, and flooring, screws are a preferred alternative as a result of they’re much simpler to take away if it’s essential to substitute any OSB. Screws will even pull OSB tight towards any body and maintain effectively.
These Single Thread Countersunk Pozi Screws from Toolstation will do the job. The screw size ought to be roughly twice the OSB thickness. If you’re utilizing 18mm OSB, 40mm or 60mm screws will suffice.
Nails are faster to put in, particularly with a nail gun, and are sometimes used for fixing to exterior framing as they provide extra give.
If utilizing nails, galvanised or stainless-steel ring-shank nails are beneficial. Galvanised nails comparable to these Tacwise Additional Galvanised Framing Nails from Amazon are good for common DIY tasks, so long as they aren’t frequently uncovered to moisture.
Can I paint or tile immediately onto OSB?
Sure to portray, no to tiling.
OSB is porous, which implies it absorbs a number of liquid. If you’ll paint OSB, you will want to begin with a primer/sealer, comparable to this Zinsser B-I-N from Screwfix, to seal the floor and create a secure base for subsequent coats of paint.
In relation to tiling, it is essential to know that the board will soak up the moisture if you happen to apply the tile adhesive on to the board, inflicting it to fail. Tiles can fall off partitions or begin to shift and crack. Nonetheless, it may be used as a substrate for tiles, supplied you put in a cement backer board (comparable to this HardieBacker 6mm Backerboard from B&Q) over the OSB.
You’ll additionally have to ensure that the OSB is safe and doesn’t flex. That is extra relevant to flooring than partitions or ceilings. If it does, you’ll find yourself with adhesion points.
How lengthy does OSB final?
It relies upon very a lot on its utilization. If put in accurately and guarded, e.g., with wall sheathing, it could actually final for 20+ years. Nonetheless, if left unprotected and uncovered, it would depend upon the surroundings. Internally, it could actually final for years, so long as it’s not uncovered to moisture.
If used externally and left uncovered to the weather, OSB might be fortunate to final a 12 months. Nonetheless, if effectively protected, with a sealant comparable to Siramico Coatings Liquid Rubber Roof Coating from Amazon, it could actually simply final 5 years. To increase its lifespan, ensure that to seal the perimeters and reapply any sealant/paint each 3-5 years.
OSB is a multi-talented board; not solely can it’s used by itself, however it is usually a part of SIPs (structural insulated panels), that are a preferred product for constructing extensions and houses.
