Unlike before, OSB is now getting so much attention and playing a significant role in construction and carpentry. It is known as a versatile structural wood panel and has various applications. OSB shares a lot of properties in terms of strength and performance with plywood.
OSB is an acronym for “Oriental Strand Board,” which probably tells much about its formation. It is formed by adding waterproof heat-cured adhesives to layers of wood strands. The strands (flakes) are arranged in cross-oriented manners.
Its thickness and length measure OSB. As a result, there are several thicknesses and lengths of OSB; 7/16 OSB is just one of these. To know the strength of this engineered wood, it is crucial to understand its weight first. It is easier to tell its strength from its weight.
How much does 7/16 OSB weigh? A sheet of a 7/16 OSB will weigh approximately 45 lbs. The weight of OSB is calculated per sheet but can also be calculated per square foot. A 7/16 OSB weighs 1.4 lbs per square foot.
Did you know that OSB comes in different grades? In this article, I will show you these grades and describe each. We will also see a little comparison between the OSB board and the conventional plywood.
There are four different grades of OSB, each with its unique functions. They include;
OSB/1
OSB/2
OSB/3
OSB/4
The OSB/1 grade is a general-purpose board. It has several applications, including interior fittings and furniture. However, all the applications of the OSB/1 grade are only for those used in dry conditions. The OSB grade is incompatible with objects that come in contact with moisture.
In addition, this category of OSB can only withstand little weight. For example, it can be used in interior fittings and packaging materials. If the load is not too much or too near, then the OSB/1 is perfect for the job.
The OSB/2 grade performs well for load-bearing purposes. This might be a perfect choice if you need an engineered board to carry a load. However, just like the OSB/1 grade, OSB/2 can not be used in humid conditions. It is only for dry purposes.
The OSB/3 grade is quite different from the two I mentioned previously. This OSB grade is perfect for load-bearing purposes in humid conditions. However, the load-bearing purposes of this grade are pretty minimal.
All three grades I mentioned previously have minimal load-bearing capacities. The OSB/3 grade is only different because it can be used in humid conditions. Moisture can not easily damage this wood.
The other grade of OSB is OSB/4. The OSB/4 has advanced features and is considered the strongest among the four grades of OSB wood. Not only can you use the OSB/4 for load-bearing purposes, but you can also even use them for heavy-duty load-bearing purposes.
In addition to that, these boards can also be used in humid conditions. The water resistance of this wood grade is the greatest among the other OSB grades. However, it is not just used for any project, only heavy-duty ones.
What are the uses of OSB?
OSB has various applications, and more are being discovered daily. It has favorable mechanical properties making it very useful for load-bearing, especially in construction. It has slowly taken the place of plywood, although some loopholes exist.
However, OSB is now in control, and most construction activities involve the usage of this unique wood panel. OSB is used in flooring, walls, and even roof decking. Since it is not so thick, it works perfectly as an alternative to plywood and other roof decking materials.
The wood panels are used with a radiant-barrier layer when used in wall applications. This layer is laminated to one side of the sheet, exposing the other. Thanks to this layer, the sheet’s installation has become much easier. The energy performance of the building envelope also increases.
Aside from its construction usage, OSB is also used in furniture production. It is slowly replacing the need for plywood in furniture production, just like it has done in construction. Soon enough, it will be in control again.
Does OSB weigh more than Plywood?
Compared to plywood, OSB is generally heavier. Plywood is usually stiff and might produce soft squeaky floors when underweight, whereas OSB can carry the load better. However, there is a challenge that people face with OSB.
Unlike plywood, OSB can not handle moisture very well, and even the OSB/4 can quickly get distorted when it comes in contact with plenty of water. Plywood, on the other hand, does an excellent job when it comes to handling moisture.
From this, we can see that even though OSB will weigh more than plywood, it might not still be as strong as plywood. However, there are other aspects where OSB proves to be far better than plywood. Unfortunately, I won’t be discussing that here.
Can you use 7/16 subflooring?
Although it is not so common, 7/16 can be used for subflooring. As I mentioned earlier, OSB has roofing, walls, and flooring applications. However, the most common material used in flooring and subflooring is CDX, but OSB is a perfect alternative.
Can you use 7/16 in exterior walls?
You can choose to use plywood or OSB on your exterior walls. Both materials will act as great structural sheathing to ensure the building is strong enough to resist wind pressure. However, it would help if you made it necessary to select the appropriate thickness for the sheathing panels.
Final Words
Sometimes, you will find out that plywood is far better than OSB. One of the criteria used in judging this is screw withdrawal or holding ability. Judging by this, the plywood has a better screw-holding ability than the OSB. For this reason, some construction workers might not use OSB for their projects.
