Plywood vs OSB Oriented Strand Board | Everything you need to know!
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2024
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:49 How plywood is made
2:24 How OSB is made
3:51 Squarespace
4:30 Properties
5:35 Installation
6:00 Cost
6:37 Water resistance
7:04 Health
7:37 Fire resistance
8:09 Conclusion
These two products were developed for the same reason; to replace solid wood, which is getting expensive and scarce. They are made of cheap, fast-growing and inferior softwoods but they perform just as well, if not better than solid hardwoods. Why? For 2 reasons, the resins and glue embedded inside and the orientation of the wood pieces. In this video, we’re going to look at how plywood and OSB are made, their main differences as well as their pros and cons.
HOW PLYWOOD IS MADE. Tree trunks are placed on a conveyor belt and sent to debarkers. The machine removes the bark of the tree either with sharp-toothed grinding wheels or with jets of high-pressure water. To soften the wood, the logs are heated and soaked in hot water for over 12 hours. The ribbons are cut into 4x8 sheets and dried at 400F . Veneers are run through a glue curtain which coats all the sheets except the top most sheet. The veneers are layered crossgrain and put through a heavy press. This heats up the glue and binds the sheets together. Finally, the boards are cut to size.
HOW OSB IS MADE.
Trees are debarked then placed on a machine called a strander. This has a set of knives that cut the trees into strands of wood with a specific width, thickness and length. The strands are then dried to reduce the moisture content. After drying, the strands are filtered out into different sizes and blended in a rotating drum with resins and wax. OSB boards roll off the press and are allowed to cool down before being cut to the correct length and width.
PROPERTIES. Now let’s look at the properties of plywood and OSB
Appearance. Plywood is a very versatile product that can be found in different thicknesses from ⅛” to 3”. It can be made of several different wood products. OSB has a rougher appearance and surface texture. It can be found in thicknesses from ¼” to over 1”. Because it’s made of wood chips, it doesn’t have the same size constraints as plywood.
INSTALLATION. Plywood seems to leave behind less sawdust when cut. Cutting OSB is messier and the edges are more prone to splintering. Both plywood and OSB hold nails and screws in place.
WATER RESISTANCE. Plywood generally has better water resistance and dries out more easily but it is not waterproof. Prolonged exposure to moisture will cause rot. OSB has a reputation of performing poorly when exposed to moisture. The edges of this board swelled and it didn’t dry out as fast. However, OSB is constantly being improved.
HEALTH. If these engineered wood products are used inside homes, the chemical binder can affect our health. Most plywood manufacturers use urea formaldehyde glue which can off-gas. OSB can use melamine fortified Urea Formaldehyde, Phenol formaldehyde and polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate.
FIRE RESISTANCE. This piece PureBond plywood charred, but didn’t catch on fire. OSB charred more easily and gave off strong fumes. Some OSB beams burn 8 times faster than solid wood beams.
ENVIRONMENT. They are both excellent man made or engineered wood products. They allow us to use lower quality wood, fast-growing. OSB is generally considered to be more sustainable because you can use wood chips instead of a whole sheet. Nothing goes to waste.
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SOURCES:
• Plywood For War (1944)
• How Plywood is Made in...
• How Plywood Is Made In...
• Oriented Strand Board ...
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#plywood #osb #sheathing #buildingscience #wood #construction - Věda a technologie
Asside from the swelling: OSB loses nearly all of its nail-holding strength after it gets wet (even after drying). Advantech OSB is no exception. There is an excellent demonstration video of this issue from a flooring company (who does not warranty a floor nailed to OSB for this reason). That said: OSB as sheathing and sub-floor isn't relying on nail-holding strength, so it's really only an issue for flooring.
Thanks for sharing that info!
Another issue OSB rots from within due to its loose (after being wet) internal structure and is more poisonous (unless it uses a rarer and pricier soy-based glue).
@@StrangerHappened osb absorbs moisture like a sponge which causes the dead mold spores in the wood to reactivate.
@@StrangerHappened That's a very serious health problem. Black mold is worse than asbestos in insulation, lead in paint, etc.
@Jason C. I don't want to say you are wrong, but you are absolutely wrong that dead spores are reactivated. Dead spores are dead, however spores can be dominant for extended periods until conditions for growth are right (like moisture goes up)
You're killing it again Belinda! Thanks for talking about the soy based alternative to traditional phenolic glues for plywood. I didnt know it was out on the market. Its a pleasure to see you grow but not a surprise, you are the only one tackling basic building science and bringing it to everyone from homeowners to small contractors, this is great the world needed you. You rock!
Thanks, John!!
ditto!!
I really like these videos because it not only educates you on the materials but it gives you some contrast which emphasizes the qualities and helps understand the goods and bads of those qualities. Thanks so much
You’re an amazing teacher, Belinda! The way you curate your info is brilliant…very well-paced & unwaveringly interesting. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
These comparison videos are an absolute BLAST! It's much easier to understand the properties of something in comparison. Please keep making them!!!
Thanks! I will continue them :)
I really love these comparison videos! I'm very new to DIY-ing and I feel both this video and the laminate vs. vinyl video helped me understand these types of products a lot more.
You are well presented and I generally don't care about building materials but I do watch your every video because how comforting and interesting your videos are. Quite nice to watch while having a cup of tea :)
Belinda Carr, you are the best... Absolutely love everything you cover in your vids... One day, do commercial roofing products... TPO, PVC and EPDM... Because I believe you'd knock it out the park with the pure knowledge... Absolutely love everything you do...
Hi Belinda. Id like to say thank you for the great work you are doing on these videos. I am currently researching materials for a modern post/beam build and your content has been of great help. Good luck to your work from Ireland!
Very impressive!
I’ve watched several videos on this subject, including very experienced Builders. Yours by far was the overall best!
You're the most knowledgeable and trustworthy source of product information on the internet Belinda, my wife and I learn so much from you. Many thanks!
Good learning experience for me. I did not even know what OSB stood for until I had a shed made. The contractor introduced me to this OSB and the curiosity brought me to this web site. Thank you for educating me. .
Another great video and it highlights possibly the most important thing in building: waterproofing.
Flashing and sealing are neglected more than anything, and can literally knock 100 years of life from a home.
I just wanted to let you know that I’ve always had your videos in my feed and they were always very informative but then when I saw the attack on you from that company on the installation video and then your response I am going to support you 150%. You’re just doing what you like and trying to make a decent living and you’re a great professional spokes person with a level mind. You will have nothing but success don’t stress out too much with all the success you’re going to have
Nicely done, one of the better and more informative "difference" videos I've seen.
I've been missing your videos! I watched all the time up untill 2 months ago when your videos just disappeared from my recommendations, really wish the algorithm wouldn't mess with a good thing
I keep finding myself watching your videos to the end. What the heck - subscribed. Very very informative videos for news we can use. Thanks Belinda! Best wishes.
A friend made some countertops out of OSB, back in the 80s…he stained them a brilliant green, then antiqued them with opaque black paint, before sealing them. They looked a lot like malachite, which was the idea!
Whoa, that's creative
@@BelindaCarr Larue was brilliant….I’ve lost touch with him, I’m afraid…
I would like to see a photo if possible ❤️❤️
@@Ceshaujourdhui not possible…l live 3K miles from there, and that friend died a couple of decades ago.
Brilliant young lady ! Always worth listening to her lectures !
Word perfect. You are one of the very best of the best presenters. Thank you for your insights.
Amazing video, as always! You've really carved your own niche here and I'm loving it. Always super informative and concise.
To add a bit to the discussion: I used to hate OSB because of how weather sensitive it was. I remember when the smallest bit of moisture would destroy it. But I've noticed a massive improvement over the past 10 years. I was amazed last year that a few off cuts I left outside for almost a year, through rain and snow, had stayed perfectly intact and was still useable. It's definitely improving a lot over time.
I love the way you explain these products i can't get enough of you
Belinda-great! so informative....really happy to have found your channel!
This is a very informative and comprehensive video. Thank you for making this.
Thank you so much for doing these videos! I am looking to insulate & sheath up a storage shed, & your videos have influenced me to take a closer look at which products I will use.
I love your look at these products. You present a very objective perspective.
Niiiice! Thank you for this detailed information! I've been looking into plywood and OSB for wood-turning but need to know more before I actually started and you video helped a lot. 👍
Thank You (again) Belinda. I learn so much about building materials from you!
Thank you!
Belinda.....I have learnt so much from this video. Excellent and well informed channel
These comparison videos always manage to reveal topics that I didn't know I was curious about, I quite enjoy them.
I'm also glad you mentioned the off-gassing, I was wondering about that as soon as you mentioned how much resin/glue is involved.
Thanks, Collin
@@BelindaCarr What can be done to mitigate the VOCs off-gassing causes health issues
Thanks for this video. i showed it to my woodworking class after showing them a couple of short videos on wood production. Yours was by far the most comprehensive ,easy to follow and informative. Great job.
Thank you!
@@BelindaCarr is you were forced to choose between the 2, which would you go with?
All of your videos are excellent. Maybe because you do enjoy making them which does come across quite well.
I just found your channel. Subscribed and will start watching more. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.
I used to work for a company that made some floor products. It is true that OSB has much greater shear capacity than plywood - therefore makes a much better shear wall diaphragm than plywood. When it comes to floors, the bending strength is more than adequate but the out-of-plane bending is more noticeable than plywood - the flex between floor joists. From my experience, use OSB for shear walls and plywood for floor sheathing. Belinda, thanks so much for these videos - keep it up. This is the only channel I subscribe to.
Excellent Video. I really enjoy your approach and thoroughness.
Thank you for your professional look at the 2 products . I never thought about the off gasses as something to think about 👍 this was a very educational look at things thank you ....
Always enjoy your detailed videos.
I love these videos. Thank you for these fantastic deep dive comparisons
So so good. Love these comparison videos. Incredibly educational. Thanks 🙏🏻
Thanks, Scott!
Thank you so much for these comparison videos. It helps me with mindful building.
I worked at an Oriented Strand Board plant as a private contractor in Northern Alberta in the late 1980's. So OSB isn't all that new. It was amazing to watch the plant in operation. The wood source was Aspen, another fast growing softwood. The issue I was called in to remedy was the incredible voltage surge when the heated presses were turned on. I had to isolate all the computers and communications from that voltage spike. The induced current was high enough to burn out circuit boards in the main telephone switch several hundred meters from the actual operations building.
Are you talking about the OSB plant By GP?
@@SoulisStar This plant was about 15 miles outside of Slave Lake.
they are using about 20.000v to freeze the glue
What was the root cause?
@@j3dwin of what? The inducted voltage on the communication wiring?
Thank you for making this video, and videos like it. You answer questions I have had difficulty sifting through marketing information to try to find.
Excellent presentation. No fluff.
Love your videos, so educational. Really well researched.
Another wonderfully informative report. I would just like to add to your explanation of why prices are so high for plywood: the changing climate, with all its influences, financial and otherwise, on many aspects of our life.
cheers from cold Vienna, Scott
Yes, great video. I will use it in my class for my students.
Thank you.
Really enjoy the videos also very informative
Outstanding Videos and Content! Thank You.
wow, just discovered this channel, now im a fan
lovely explanation of basic construction materials
Nice presentation!!
For someoine in the trade across in the UK, I'm loving this video Belinda
I'm glad you like making them because these are fantastic. This is genuinely useful information and I sound much smarter than I am when my roommate walks in and hears you reading chemical names.
One thing I wonder about tho is how much the resins and glues that go into these products break down. Sure, everybody talks about plastic bags and drinking straws but then we go home to a house that's full of glue and resin. Maybe these things break down just fine but I have no idea and I worry we're getting distracted by small-scale user products.
love your videos, so informative!
you are always so informative thank you.
You have done your homework. Would like to add how amazing you are and in doing what you do
Awesome content 👍
As a Floridian I've been wary of OSB after seeing some awful water damage. But your video gave me some great context so I'll be a bit better informed going forward. Thanks for the great work again!
Marine plywood is used on boats all the time. I wonder if there is Marine OSB?
I haven't found Marine OSB anywhere. Maybe there's something similar?
@@BelindaCarr I just think that it is so inferior that at this point in time OSB just wouldn't be a good decision for a very wet and hot environment like a boat. And of course when it comes to framing a house plywood is still better than OSB but people use OSB because it's cheaper.
@@BelindaCarr also I'm starting to notice PVC sheets are becoming more common as well as other variations of plastic can be purchased in various sizes and shapes ordered from the manufacturer. I find plastic decking to be frustrating because it can't be recycled because of the wood pulp content.
@@BelindaCarr Marine OSB is an oxy-moron, like clean-diesel.
Thanks! I always wonder the difference! 💕🙏🏻
That video is really good..great work
great video ... the videos of yours I have seen I have enjoyed very much
Fantastic!! Absolutely fantastic video’s.
Great videos as usual!
great and informative as usual. Keep on comparing.
Thanks, Milan!
Awesome video and explanations. Thank you!
Thank you for this! I was looking at plywood to build some shelves for my home and I actually have the purebond maple plywood bookmarked! Appreciate the insights and learned a bunch!
Thanks, Rebecca!
Something to remember with plywood is that it is flexible and will bow under its own weight without structural support. Laminated chipboard is much stiffer but it isn't as pretty and will break rather than bending. I have built a lot of home projects out of plywood and it works very well within its limitations and can be very attractive.
Another good video comparison, thank you for making it )
Very well informed presenter exceptional!
Another great video, expanding on stuff I thought I knew about!
One of the hot topics in construction (UK) is the global(?) Shortage of gas blowing agent for foam insulation. Is this something you have been alerted to? It would be great to have one of your informative videos on what is actually happening in the world of HFO supplies, there aren't many news articles out there just notices about supply issues...
Excellent description and explanation!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪💪⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
love that smile, like you are laughing inside, when you got that perfect link to another one of your videos on HempWood, lol
Like information getting a better understanding of the difference in these because I really wanted to know which one would be good to use out side that wouldn’t rot from rain
Very concise and informative
Excellent explanation
You are so good! I like your program
LOVE your vids!!!!!!!!!!!! so factually informative ...
Thank you! :)
This was FASCINATING!!!
You really know your stuff but totally lost me when you mentioned all those chemicals and glues used hehe.
Great content for me to learn from. You got a new subber. All the best from the UK : ]
Thank you for your excellent demonstration. I've seen OSBs before but never knew it was called OSB.
Well, they don't want to call it reclaimed splinters.
Great timing, im planning to replace the floor in the kitchen and was hesitating what to use, i decided osb with vinyl top. Now i dont know what to use anymore. Thanks :P
Good video! Thanks
Super good videos !!!
I think of these as some if your best work!!
Love your work 👍
I would love to see you do furniture build videos!
I learn something at every video
Thank you so informative.
Great Content Belinda, :)
Great info!
Great video's. Thank you.
Beautiful and smart. Nice 👍🏻
Love your content
Thank for good information.
Very good video.
Man, I love your videos
Thanks!!
thanks you Belinda, im Nicolás from Argentina!
great post
Consistently high quality content :-)
Thank you!
Çok güzel bir çalışmaydı teşekkürler 🙏🙏🇹🇷
It's good to know that the production of plywood and OSB are environmentally sustainable but I curious as to their environmental impact in regards to disposal. What is the average lifespan of these products? Do the adhesives break down when they become waterlogged and then enter the water table? What is the proper or most common method of disposal: Organic decomposition, burning, landfills or can they be recycled? Does the break down of these products add pollutants to air, soil, or water? I think it's important to consider these things when talking about their environmental impact. Many products, such as plastic grocery bags, have a low impact when manufactured but a high impact when disposed of. Conversely, paper bags have a higher carbon footprint when manufactured, but a lower environmental impact than plastic when disposed of.
Oh my God I just left a comment wondering the exact same thing. And I even use plastic bags as an example. I really wonder about the resin furniture craze. Aren't resins petroleum-based? Is that carbon negative or carbon neutral? I guess it's fine if it doesn't break down and poison water tables but I have no idea!
Pine forests are not sustainable when are grown in exotic enviroment, specially when it mean cut down native forests. Pines increment the acidity of the soil and impede the growth of any other plants, killing insects and with that birds and other animals. Also pine forests dry underwater reserves. Same thing happen with Eucaliptus forests grown to make paper or textile fibers.
@@IngeniebrioCivil I’m not sure what you say is true. Pine and spruce forests cover most of the northern hemisphere, pine and spruce trees are shallow root trees, they do not have deep root systems, that’s why they blow over so easily in strong winds. As for the acidity of the soil there are many plants that thrive in such conditions as well as wildlife.
All wood-based and cellulose-based products are going to be significantly useful fixed carbon in the short-term ("carbon-negative"). There are some minor environmental problems otherwise, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face: The only alternative that's been developed are concrete & steel buildings, which are immensely carbon-intensive.
Most plastics are even less harmful than that, frankly. Yes they come from oil, but when discarded they turn into stable fixed carbon, the very best case. The major pollution problems of plastics today involve marine threats from developing-nation waste disposal strategies, and unverified fears about microplastic pollution (principally from polyester clothing). Plastic microbeads in cosmetics were a watershed issue, but we banned them. Plastic shopping bags were a municipal cleanup nuisance issue, and we banned them.
I wouldn’t say “sustainable”, as it still causes damage. Even though it’s less damage than most other material.
I would still be careful not to produce too much construction waste.
I've always preferred plywood since it seems like any projects I have that require one of these materials are always in places where they may occasionally see some moisture. I had no idea the products could off-gas, so that's good info to know for the future.