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OSB Lumber

OSB Lumber

OSB, or Oriented Strand Board, is a much-widely used manufactured panel of wood. It consists of many small pieces of wood cut from sustainable, quickly-grown trees. The pieces are then dried, treated with wax and adhesives, placed strategically in different directions, then pressurized at very high temperatures before being cut into panels.

Benefits of OSB Lumber

OSB lumber panels have become a top choice for construction. Here are some of main benefits why OSB is preferred for builders around the world:

  • Sustainability – OSB uses every piece of the small trees it comes from, which grow quickly and are sustainably farmed. The OSB manufacturing process creates a very low footprint. Not only will the panels give you structural integrity for your project, this eco-friendly choice can also give you structural integrity to your conscience!
  • Cost effective – Not only is OSB less expensive to make than its alternatives, it’s also less expensive to buy. This makes OSB a great choice for using on a whole project that needs sub-flooring, roofing, and walls. This will save greatly across the board.
  • Versatility – OSB boards can be used for a wide-variety of applications that most lumber options cannot boast about. Because of their various size options, strength, cost, and ease-of-transportation, OSB can be used just about anywhere for structural construction needs.
  • Shear strength – Because of its layered manufacturing process, OSB boards are very strong. They are built to last and withstand more pressure per square inch than other panel options that come at a higher cost.

Common Projects Using OSB Panels

Here are the main uses for OSB panels in construction projects:

  • Sub-flooring – OSB, because of the way it is pressed, is free of internal spaces between the pieces of wood that make it up. It is also free of knots that weaken the structural integrity to wood panels. This makes OSB a great panel option for sub-flooring. It’s strong, straight, and absorbs less moisture than its wood panel counterparts.
  • External wall sheathing – For the same reasons OSB is great for sub-flooring, it is also great for external wall sheathing. Its strength, durability, lower cost, and ability to redistribute water all make it a prime choice for building external walls.
  • Roofing – OSB doesn’t warp, split, or delaminate easily. Its greater shear strength holds roof framing in place, holds nails better than other panel options, and holds shingles for far longer as well. This is why it is used on home building projects more than any other type of panel.

Handling, Safety Tips, and Maintenance

  • Sawdust & debris – Clean all remnants of your construction and dispose of them properly. For any leftover pieces of raw lumber, contact a wood-waste dealer or your local waste disposal provider for details on recycling or repurposing.
  • Protective gear – Wear a dust mask and goggles when cutting any lumber.

OSB Panel Dimensions and Current Stock

OSB panels come in a variety of sizes for your construction needs. View the charts below to see what we currently have in stock:

OSB

Zip System

Advantech

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