Plywood vs OSB: it’s the debate that builders have been discussing for years.
They are two of the most popular subfloor choices around. In terms of strength and durability, they give wood planks and concrete a run for their money. They’re also more affordable and readily available.
But between these two materials, which is the better option? Should you use plywood as your subfloor? Or should you go with OSB instead? Let’s find out.
What is plywood?
Plywood is an engineered wood made from several layers of wood veneers. Each layer is called a ply, hence the material’s name.
To make plywood, adjacent plies are glued together with their grains at a 90-degree angle to each other. This helps to strengthen it and prevent it from shrinking or swelling.
Manufacturers use different kinds of wood depending on what is locally available to them. In Australia, most companies use eucalyptus, fir, pine, ash, beech or birch. Some plywood makers also use mahogany, maple, oak or teak.
You can choose from a variety of plywood types. Each one has unique characteristics that make it more suitable for specific applications.
Because plywood is made from wood veneers, each ply may have knots and other unique peculiarities that create slight variations in its depth and thickness. Thus, plywood’s structure is typically not uniform throughout.
Find out more about the benefits of using plywood here.
What is OSB?
OSB, which stands for oriented strand board, is likewise an engineered wood composite. However, it is more similar to particleboard than plywood.
To make OSB, manufacturers use wood from trees such as aspen, southern yellow pine, poplar, or black poplar. They break down the logs to turn them into wood strands, known as flakes. They then dry the strands using high heat.
Once dry, the wood flakes are blended with a mixture of resins and waxes to improve the board’s moisture resistance. Manufacturers then layer the strands on a mat and press them using a machine. They then air out the boards to remove harmful fumes before cutting them to size.
In some cases, OSBs may be modified to serve a particular purpose. Radiant barrier is one such modification that involves adding low emitting aluminum foil to one side for insulation’s sake. Meanwhile, OSBs with tongue-and-groove cuts are designed to interlock to one another for easier attachment.
Just like plywood, OSB comes in several types as well. They represent the board’s different grades, depending on its mechanical performance and resistance to moisture.
- OSB/0 (Does not contain formaldehyde)
- OSB/1 (General-purpose board used in dry conditions)
- OSB/2 (Load-bearing board used in dry conditions)
- OSB/3 (Load-bearing boards used in humid conditions)
- OSB/4 (Heavy-duty, load-bearing boards used in humid conditions)
Why should you use plywood subfloor?
Many builders use plywood because of its durability and flexibility. Unlike solid wood, plywood boasts of uniform strength along grains regardless of direction. You can use it for different purposes without worrying about its structural integrity.
Plywood also has excellent pliability. Even if you bend it in different ways, it won’t split or break easily. This, along with its lightweight construction, makes it ideal for building various shapes and forms.
Plywood also looks great. Even if it’s engineered wood, ply still retains much of the natural beauty of timber. You can also paint or stain plywood to help improve its visual appeal.
And finally, plywood’s definitive edge over OSB is how it behaves when it gets wet. Plywood swells consistently all throughout when exposed to moisture. But then it dries out quickly and returns to its original dimensions.
Plywood Pros
- Comes in different sizes
- Not prone to swelling or warping due to moisture
- More aesthetically pleasing; can be stained or painted
- Suitable subfloor for all flooring materials
Plywood Cons
- More expensive than OSB
- Not as environmentally friendly (may contain formaldehyde)
- Available panels are not as large as OSB
- Structure is not uniform
Why should you use OSB subfloor?
OSB is deemed to be more environment-friendly and sustainable because it is made of small, fast-growing trees.
OSB provides several benefits to builders as well. For one, it’s a lot more affordable compared to other subfloor materials. This can help lower your construction costs significantly without sacrificing strength and durability too much.
Most manufacturers also offer customisation for their OSB products. You can order tailor-made boards to suit your design and other building needs.
Oriented strand boards are generally water resistant. In fact, it takes longer for water to seep into OSB than plywood. However, OSB also takes longer to dry out. Furthermore, OSB’s edges are also prone to irreversible swelling.
Because of this irreversible expansion along the edges, experts caution against using OSB as a subfloor for certain flooring, particularly ceramic and vinyl tiles.
OSB Pros
- More affordable than plywood
- Available in larger panels
- Made from fast-growing trees
- Denser and heavier than plywood
- More structurally consistent than plywood
OSB Cons
- Swells when exposed to water
- No finished appearance
- Cannot be painted
- May contain formaldehyde
- Not a suitable subfloor for ceramic and vinyl tiles
Who wins the plywood vs OSB debate?
If you want to keep your building expenses minimal, then OSB might just be the right choice for you. It won’t cost you a lot even if your install the board in a large floor area.
The strength and durability of OSB also makes it more than serviceable. You just have to be careful in choosing the right grade of board for humidity. Otherwise, you might end up dealing with a soaked or swollen subfloor.
But if you want a longer-lasting option, then you can’t go wrong with plywood. While it’s lighter and thinner than OSB, it’s not weaker or less durable. In most cases, it can even be a lot sturdier than its thicker counterpart. It can also take on all types of floor coverings and finishes.
It’s true that plywood is much more expensive to use than OSB. But for the level of durability and flexibility you’ll get, it’s more than worth it. When it comes to subfloor construction, you can’t really put a premium in high quality materials.
In the plywood vs OSB debate, there’s really no definitive answer. Unless we’re talking tiles. Then plywood is the clear winner.
However, all other things considered, when it comes to plywood vs OSB, your choice will depend largely on your preference and budget. What flooring do you want and how much are you willing to spend?
Only you can decide.
