Make a choice - plywood vs OSB

In today's article, we will focus on two of the most popular materials: OSB and plywood. Both products can be used for walls, floors, and even roofs. However, a logical question arises - which one is better?

 

What are OSB and plywood?

OSB is a material obtained by pressing a mixture of wood pulp and a binder (glue) under high temperature, that looks like a slab.

In its production, chips of coniferous material are mainly used, which determines its low cost. Unlike plywood, OSB is mainly made in the so-called large format (1224x244 and 125x250), which makes its use in construction less convenient.

 

Wood plywood is a multi-layer building material made by gluing specially prepared veneers. To enhance the strength of plywood, the veneer layers are overlapped so that the wood fibers of each sheet are perpendicular to those of the neighboring ones. Typically, the number of veneer layers is odd, usually three or more.

 

The unit weight of plywood made of OSB and coniferous material or other deciduous species of wood (except birch) is practically the same. Birch plywood is much heavier than OSB. At the same time, it should be noted that the resistance of plywood to mechanical loads is much higher compared to OSB.

 

In addition, plywood is quite convenient for making handmade items, such as notebooks, clocks, lamps, shelves, and other accessories. The natural texture and pleasant surface make plywood especially popular for manufacturers of children's toys.

Unlike OSB, plywood is a very moisture-resistant product. It is characterized by uniform swelling and quick drying, which is not characteristic of OSB.

 

Conclusion - which is better OSB or plywood?

As for which is ultimately better, OSB or plywood. The answer depends on your project and personal preferences. Both materials have advantages and disadvantages that must be considered when planning a particular project. In general, when selecting materials for any type of project, you should consider many factors - precipitation at the construction site, humidity, specific work period, project budget, and many others.

The final choice is yours, but remember that if you decide to buy plywood or OSB, you'll find affordable prices in Citadeli.