LumberCalcs: The Straight-Grain Figures for the Hand-Hewn Builder
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OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

For structural sheathing on a budget -- subfloors, wall sheathing, and roof decks where OSB\'s lower cost than plywood matters most.

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Why this fits you

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  • You\'re sheathing a structural application and want the lowest material cost.
  • Appearance doesn\'t matter -- it will be covered.
  • You\'re comfortable with OSB\'s different moisture behavior compared to plywood.
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OSB is made from compressed, resin-bonded wood strands rather than veneer layers, giving it comparable structural performance to plywood at typically lower cost for sheathing applications. It\'s the most common subfloor and wall sheathing material in new US residential construction today. OSB swells more than plywood if it gets wet before being covered, so keeping it dry during construction matters more than with plywood.

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How it compares

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OptionBest forFinishCost
CDX PlywoodStructural sheathingUnfinished, C/D grade faces$
OSBBudget structural sheathingUnfinished, strand pattern$
ACX / Marine-Grade PlywoodOne visible face, moisture exposureA-grade face, C-grade back$$
Baltic Birch PlywoodFurniture, cabinetry, fine joinerySmooth both faces, visible edge plies$$$
MDFPainted trim, indoor cabinetryUltra-smooth, uniform, no grain$$
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Buying checklist

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  • Keep OSB dry during construction -- it swells at panel edges more noticeably than plywood if exposed to rain before covering
  • Confirm the panel\'s span rating matches your joist or rafter spacing
  • Not typically used where appearance or fine edge-machining matters -- that\'s plywood\'s territory
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Run the numbers

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Lumber Cost CalculatorPlywood Calculator
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Frequently asked questions

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Is OSB as strong as plywood?

For most structural sheathing applications, yes -- OSB and plywood have comparable load ratings when correctly spec\'d, though their behavior with moisture differs.

Why does OSB swell more than plywood when wet?

OSB\'s compressed wood strands absorb and hold moisture differently than plywood\'s veneer layers, causing more noticeable edge swelling if the panel gets wet before it\'s covered and protected.

Is OSB cheaper than plywood?

Generally yes for equivalent structural sheathing applications, which is a major reason it\'s become the dominant subfloor and wall sheathing material in US residential construction.

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Other Plywood Type Finder results

CDX PlywoodACX / Marine-Grade PlywoodBaltic Birch PlywoodMDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard)
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