Oriented strand board

Product description

Oriented strand board (OSB) is an engineered structural panel composed of strands of wood cut from small logs. It is used primarily as a load-bearing component in platform-frame–constructed buildings such as single-family and multi-family housing. It is used in wall sheathing, flooring and roofing applications. It is also used as a component in the manufacture of other products, including furniture and engineered wood products.

Technical information

OSB is composed of wood strands bonded under heat and pressure with waterproof glues. It is produced with the strands in the surface layers aligned in the direction of the long axis of the panel and with the strands in the inner layer either cross-aligned or randomly oriented. This orientation of strands gives the panel sufficient strength for its structural applications when it is positioned appropriately.

OSB is produced in thicknesses ranging from ¼ inch to 2½ inches; the most commonly used thicknesses are ⅜, ½ and ⅝ inch. Larger panels (commonly 8x24 feet) are subsequently cut to 4x8 feet panels for retail. OSB panels may be square edged or tongue-and-grooved to aid in the connection of adjacent panels on site. OSB has particularly good nail-holding properties and can be glued with regular wood adhesives.