OSB plate decoding of the abbreviation. OSB plate - characteristics, scope. Does it matter who makes

Oriented strand board (OSB, OSB, OSB - an abbreviation for the English expression oriented strand board) is a modern structural and finishing material that used for various jobs.

OSB was conceived as inexpensive alternative plywood and, because the ability to use non-commercial wood for the manufacture of chips reduces the cost of finished products.

• what is OSB;
• what types of oriented strand boards are;
• what regulatory documents regulate the quality and characteristics of OSB boards;
• what sizes are chipboard OSB, and whether their price depends on it;
• how much does this material cost;
• advantages and disadvantages in comparison with other structural and finishing materials;
• What is OSB used for?

As part of the OSB - multiple layers thin (0.5–1.5 mm) of various shapes and sizes, oriented within each layer. Wood shavings for OSB are 1–20 cm long and 1–50 mm wide. You can read more about how chips are produced.

clear orientation in the longitudinal or transverse direction No, however, most of all large wood chips are oriented in the right direction with a tolerance of up to 60 degrees (in most cases, the rotation relative to the orientation does not exceed 30 degrees).

Due to the fact that most large chips are oriented in one direction, layer becomes enlarged transverse or longitudinal rigidity and strength.

All layers are bonded together with a mixture of various natural and synthetic adhesives, with each manufacturer using their own recipe and keeping it secret.

As a result all layers, united in a single carpet, jointly respond to any bending or twisting an effort, which provides high rigidity and strength compared to chipboard.

At the same time, oriented strand board is inferior to plywood in these parameters, because in plywood each layer consists of a whole sheet, therefore its strength and rigidity are much higher. All sheets correspond to the size accepted at the enterprise.

Regulations

In the Russian Federation, the characteristics of the OSB regulates GOST 32567-2013, which you can see at this link.

The basis of this document was the international standard EN 300:2006 "Oriented Strand Boards (OSB) - Definitions, classification and specifications". Therefore, plates that comply with GOST will also comply with the international standard.

The document applies only to the characteristics of the finished product, allowing the manufacturer to independently choose the most appropriate technology. We talked about general technological aspects in the article.

Types of oriented strand sheets

GOST 32567-2013 and the international standard EN 300:2006 divide oriented strand boards (OSB shown in the photo) into strength classes:

1. OSB-1 (OSB-1).
2. OSB-2 (OSB-2).
3. OSB-3 (OSB-3).
4. OSB-4 (OSB-4).

In addition, all types of plates divide on appearance of the front:

• unpolished;
• polished,

as well as by release into the air (emission) of formaldehyde:

1. E0.5.

Strength and water resistance classes and application features

The OSB-1 class includes material that is unsuitable for creating load-bearing structures and has minimal moisture resistance. It is used for finishing inside dry rooms, cladding of various panels. In addition, it applies for making furniture.

In terms of rigidity, OSB-1 is inferior to GKL and DSP, therefore, it is necessary to reduce the distance between the details of the crate, otherwise the skin will be pressed through.

The OSB-2 class includes more rigid and durable plates, which can act as load-bearing elements.

For example, due to the low price, OSB-2 of different thicknesses is often used for laying on a subfloor.

However, they also not suitable for high humidity applications, therefore, they are not used to make the outer skin of buildings or SIP panels.

The OSB-3 class includes plates that differ in their technical characteristics - durable and moisture-resistant elements that have found application as structural. OSB-3 of different sizes is often used as a subfloor, because they successfully replace the floorboard, and their price is much lower.

In terms of strength, OSB-2 and OSB-3 chipboards are comparable, therefore the main difference is in the minimum ability to absorb moisture, due to which the expansion as a result of swelling is also minimal.

Moisture-resistant oriented strand boards of class OSB-4 of all sizes are distinguished by the highest price, maximum rigidity and strength, therefore they are used only as structural, and in the areas with maximum load.

In addition, OSB-4 have a minimal ability to absorb water, thanks to these characteristics they are distinguished by the most positive reviews and are used in the production of SIP panels, as well as the outer skin of frame houses.

Type of front surface and ends

The first experience of using oriented strand boards of various sizes - moisture-resistant OSB for outdoor use and ordinary for interior decoration, showed their high efficiency and significant superiority over other materials in terms of price / quality ratio.

As a result, there was a demand for better products, with a flat and relatively smooth surface.

This is how the first appeared polished plates. Grinding preserves the unique surface pattern, but eliminates all major irregularities. In addition, the thickness tolerance for sanded products is much lower at 0.3 mm, while for unpolished products, a deviation of 0.8 mm is acceptable.

Most slabs have flat ends, but OSB, designed to create a continuous flooring, locks are cut at the ends which allow sheets to be laid without gaps.

Such oriented strand boards are called grooved. You can read more about grooved boards.

Manufacturers also offer polished plates, varnished or laminated.

The front side of the first is impregnated with a waterproof and wear-resistant varnish, while the second has a thin wear-resistant film deposited on the front side. Typically, such coatings are applied to material intended for flooring and exterior waterproofing.

3 formaldehyde emission classes and environmental friendliness

To reduce costs and increase the strength of OSB, manufacturers forced to use adhesives containing formaldehyde. After hardening and polymerization, such adhesives have a fairly high resistance to water and good strength.

The use of adhesives that do not contain formaldehyde either does not provide the required strength, or greatly increases the cost of the finished product, depriving it of its main advantage - its low price compared to plywood.

Therefore, it was necessary to divide the OSB into classes according to formaldehyde emission. Minimum class E0.5 allows content up to 4 mg/100 grams OSB. Wherein the content of a poisonous drug in the air during any time should not exceed 0.08 mg / m 3.

For class E1 formaldehyde content should not exceed 8 mg/100 grams, and the maximum allowable the content in the air is 0.124 mg / m 3.

For class E2 the formaldehyde content in 100 grams of OSB should not exceed 30 mg, and the emission should not exceed 1.25 mg / m 3.

At the same time, the average daily concentration of formaldehyde in residential premises should not exceed 0.01 mg / m3, as stated in Appendix 2 of SanPiN 2.1.2.1002-00 "Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for residential buildings and premises."

You can read this document by clicking on the link. Even the conditionally safe class E0.5 emits an amount of this toxic substance exceeding the standards, so the OSP can not use for interior decoration living quarters without ventilation, since it can still be harmful to the human body without observing these safety measures.

Dimensions and weight

single standard, i.e. standard OSB sizes does not exist, but most manufacturers adhere to the following parameters for length and width in mm:

• 1250x2500;
• 1200x2400;
• 590x2440.

There are other sizes of OSB-1, OSB-2, OSB-3 and OSB-4. If you prefer custom-made instead of purchasing finished products, then you can make any size, up to a length of 7 meters.

Sheet thickness ranges from 6mm to 25mm in 2 or 3mm increments. However the most popular slabs with a thickness of 8–16 mm are considered. Also quite often on the Russian market there are OSBs with a thickness of 9 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 15 mm, their cost usually increases according to the increase in their parameters.

The mass of a sheet depends on its thickness and dimensions, because the average density of a plate of any type is the same and amounts to 600–700 kg / m 3. Therefore, the weight of OSB with dimensions of 1220x2440 mm is 12.5 kg with a thickness of 6 mm, with a thickness of 9 mm and 12 mm it will be, respectively, more, and with a thickness of 22 mm it will be 42.5 kg.

Marking

The general principle of labeling OSB issued in Russia and abroad is the same. On one side indicate:

• grade;
• dimensions (length, width, thickness);
• formaldehyde emission class;
• front surface type;
• manufacturer's name.

If you are purchasing an OSB, intended for sale in America and Europe, then you need to be aware of the differences in labeling. The variety may be specified in a manner other than that specified in EN 300:2006, but according to CSA O325, that is:

• W - oriented strand board for cladding the internal walls of dry rooms;
• 1F - rough flooring;
• 2F - OSB for fine flooring;
• 1R - material for roof lathing without creating support at the edges;
• 2R - the same, but with support at the edges.

In addition, a two-digit number is indicated after the letter, which means the maximum allowable distance between the supports in inches, for example, 1F18.

If the OSB is suitable for different applications, then all tolerances are listed, for example, 1F18/2R20. Moisture resistance with this marking is also indicate separately:

1. Interior- an analogue of OSP-1, with its technical characteristics, it is suitable for use only in dry rooms.
2. Esposure Type Binder- a plate with medium moisture resistance. It can be used in rooms with a slightly increased level of humidity, and after treatment with protective preparations, it can also be used for outdoor decoration.
3. Exterior Bond- material with maximum moisture resistance, suitable for any application even without additional treatment with hydrophobic agents.

Besides, may occur and other inscriptions:

1. SHEATHING SPAN- the distance between the axes of the lag in inches, if the numbers are indicated through a fraction, then the first value refers to the roof lags, the second to the lags of the interfloor overlap. If the second value is 0, then the oriented strand board is only suitable for use on the roof and cannot be laid on floors.
2. THIS SIDE DOWN- label on the underside. On the outside of the OSB with this inscription, small grooves are made to drain water, so improper installation will lead to the fact that during rain the water will be drained inefficiently, and the plate will begin to swell.
3. STRENGTH AXIS THIS DIRECTION- this inscription is always accompanied by an arrow that indicates the direction perpendicular to the lags. In other words, OSB with such an inscription must be laid so that the arrow is rotated 90 degrees relative to the lag.

The marking of laminated and varnished boards is not prescribed in generally accepted documents, so each manufacturer designates this type of material in its own way.

The same applies to wood-oriented boards with end locks.

Price

Plate price depends on:

• classes of strength, water resistance and formaldehyde emission;
• dimensions (length, width, thickness);
• grinding, varnishing, laminating or locking on the ends;
• manufacturer.

The most popular strength class OSB-3 and emission class E1 - it is quite difficult to find OSB chipboards of other emission classes, therefore Most often they are made to order., so the price is discussed individually.

It is also worth noting that with the same length and width parameters, but with different OSB thicknesses - for example, 9mm, 12mm, 15 or 18mm, the price for them will also differ.

Specifications and comparison with other finishing materials

Here main competitors oriented strand boards:

• plywood (No. 1);
• Chipboard (No. 2) (link to chipboard);
• Fiberboard (No. 3);
• GKL (No. 4);
• glass magnesite sheet (No. 5);
• smooth slate (No. 6);
• DSP (No. 7).

In parentheses are the numbers assigned to them, in the order in which we have included them in a table where you can compare main parameters and specifications, that is:

• density;
• the possibility of using it as a structural element, that is, subflooring, roofing, etc.;
• thermal conductivity;
• vapor permeability;
• combustibility (ability to sustain combustion);
• toxicity under normal conditions/in case of fire.

Density finishing material affects the weight of the sheet and can make it difficult to climb to the upper floors and installation. Therefore, the low density of OSB is a serious advantage, which is further enhanced when considering the possibility of using oriented strand boards as a structural material.

At a low OSB density has high strength, so from it you can do:

• draft and finishing floors in residential premises;
• roof decks;
• steps on stairs;
• removable formwork;
• SIP panels;
• various fences.

By thermal conductivity OSB is comparable to plywood and outperforms most finishing materials, second only to DSP and fiberboard. However, in such an important parameter as vapor permeability, it is inferior to most competitors.

Because of this, in houses sheathed with OSB, it is necessary to take special measures to remove moisture and protect against condensation. Read more about the effect of vapor permeability on the humidity in the house and the condition of the walls in the article (Using OSB).

Oriented strand board belong to the class of combustible fire hazardous materials.

Manufacturers are trying to reduce the level of flammability with the help of pyrophobic drugs, but even such boards are superior in this parameter to plywood and wood.

In addition, high strength finished slabs manage to get only using formaldehyde-based adhesives, which is a strong poison, and therefore OSBs are not environmentally friendly.

Therefore, sheathing the internal space with OSB sheets, although inexpensive, leads to an excess of the maximum permissible concentration of this substance, which negatively affects well-being and health.

However, all the significant disadvantages of this material can be neutralized by proper application. After all, even in class E2 boards, the rate of formaldehyde release is so low that any ventilation or periodically opened window can easily cope with it.

But still you need to know - during a fire OSB emits not only carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, but also many toxic substances posing a threat to health.

Installing fire safety systems, including smoke detectors, is useful in any home. Indeed, during a fire, the main danger is not toxic substances, but smoke, which makes it difficult to leave the room.

In addition, many pieces of furniture and household appliances release toxic substances in large volumes during a fire. That's why with a small fire OSB sheathing does not pose a threat if the fire safety systems operate normally and extinguish the fire. If the systems do not work and the fire gains strength, then there will be enough smoke and toxic substances in houses without such cladding.

Related videos

Briefly and concisely about the main properties, advantages and disadvantages, benefits and possible harms of OSB in the presented video:

Conclusion

OSB boards are a good and modern structural and finishing material with both advantages and disadvantages. However, all the disadvantages are compensated by the correct use of the boards, and the advantages make OSB more attractive than other materials.

After reading the article, you learned:

• what is OSB, and how to decipher this abbreviation;
• about the characteristics and properties of OSB boards;
• what is the difference, for example, between OSB-2 and OSB-3 and other types of oriented strand boards;
• about the price of chipboard OSB;
• about the features of their application and other parameters.

In contact with

OSB stands for Oriented Strand Board - Oriented Strand Board, or OSB in Russian. This is a modern building and finishing material, consisting of 90% wood chips bound with synthetic waterproof resins. The plates are formed by 3-4 layers of thin chips up to 15 cm long, pressed at high pressure and temperature, and the direction of the chips in each layer is different.

OSB boards can be used for:

• production of sandwich panels and construction of frame houses,
• when installing floors,
• covering walls, ceilings, floors,
• for roofing,
• during auxiliary works (installation of formwork, scaffolding),
• for the manufacture of auxiliary buildings (sheds, storage facilities), street structures, fences,
• as structural elements of furniture.

High-quality OSB comply with the EN 300 OSB standard, which sets requirements for environmental safety and technical parameters of boards.

Types of plates and their features

4 main types of plates are produced:

• OSB-1- low strength and low moisture resistance, used for interior work, in the manufacture of furniture,
• OSB-2- high strength and low moisture resistance, used for internal partitions, load-bearing structures, ceilings,
• OSB-3- high strength and high moisture resistance, optimally suited for outdoor work,
• OSB-4- ultra-high strength and high moisture resistance, used for load-bearing elements, walls, roofs.

The moisture resistance of the plate depends on the composition of the adhesive used, and the strength depends on the number of layers and the relative position of the chips in them.

In addition, there are boards with a lacquered or laminated surface on one side, which, for example, can be reused for the manufacture of formwork. For laying on a horizontal surface, OSB can be used with tongue-and-groove joints on the ends on 2 or 4 sides.

The most common standard board sizes are:

• 122 * 244 cm,
• 122 * 366 cm,
• 125 * 250 cm * 6 -40 mm,
• 125 * 370 cm,
• 125 * 600 cm.

Advantages of OSB

Manufacturers sometimes refer to OSB as "enhanced" wood. It is just as strong, light and easy to process, but at the same time it is devoid of such disadvantages as fire hazard, susceptibility to rotting and mold, the presence of voids and knots. In terms of technical properties, OSB is superior to chipboard, fiberboard, MDF and even plywood.

Factory conveyor production ensures stable dimensions and uniform thickness throughout the slab. OSB provides excellent heat retention, it is not subject to deformation and destruction in water. For its processing, the same tools and materials are used as for wood. Large sheet sizes allow you to build walls with a minimum number of joints. The service life of structures made of such plates is practically unlimited.

OSB cons

Recently, there have been many materials about the dangers and negative health effects of OSB. All criticism is related to the use of phenol in the composition of synthetic resins, which are used to connect wood chips and release carcinogens. To date, most European manufacturers have switched to polymer resins without the inclusion of formaldehyde and are completely safe, such boards are usually labeled ECO-, Green-.

In any case, before purchasing OSB for building a house, you should familiarize yourself with the certificates for this material and make sure that it complies with class E1, or even better - E0 (the emission class determines how much formaldehyde compounds are released into the environment).

For interior work and the manufacture of furniture, it is permissible to use only OSB intended for interior work, and if there is any doubt about its quality, it is good to isolate it with drywall, finishing materials and floor coverings and take care of ventilation in the room. OSB-3 and -4 can only be used for work outside the home.

What is an OSB? This is an oriented strand board, abbreviated as OSB, that is, in English, oriented strand board. This building material consists of several (at least three to four) layers of wood chips of various sizes, from the smallest to thin chips. The shavings in the composition of each layer are pressed and glued, but the main difference from similar materials is that they are laid in a certain direction. Usually it is longitudinal for the outer layers, and transverse for the inner ones.

Story

OSB is a relatively new product on the building materials market. The first developments began in Canada in the 60s of the last century. It became possible to create an improved alternative to traditional building materials made of wood, such as chipboard, and at the same time use tons of waste from the woodworking industry developed in these regions. Therefore, it was in Canada in the early 80s that the industrial production of oriented strand board started, which quickly gained popularity.

OSB appeared on the Russian market much later. The first production starts began back in the Soviet years, at the end of the 80s, but those attempts failed, and the subsequent years were destructive for all types of industry, so the new technology was abandoned. This material appeared on the Russian market as an import from leading Western, including European, companies already in the late 90s. For a long time, the spread of OSB in the country was hampered by cases of poisoning due to the purchase of cheap and low-quality raw materials, which included phenol-formaldehyde compounds harmful to humans.

However, progress does not stand still, and today the product has taken its rightful place in the Russian market. In recent years, several domestic factories have been opened, producing OSB according to international quality standards.

Classification

OSB produce 4 main types. There is such a classification for strength and moisture resistance (European standard):

Types of OSB are also classified according to the type of coating:

• unpolished;
• polished;
• varnished - varnished on one side;
• laminated - covered with laminate;
• tongue-and-groove - OSB board with machined ends.

Areas of use

OSB is used for very different purposes in modern construction, renovation, furniture and packaging. The scope of application differs for different types of material: from light and durable furniture for an office or apartment, boxes and boxes, installation of advertising counters and stands from plates of the first type, to load-bearing external walls of a house from sufficiently moisture-resistant plates of the fourth type, designed for significant loads.

The most versatile, as well as affordable, the most popular and in demand is the OSB-3 type. Its share in production and sales reaches 90%. (The characteristics of the fourth type of plates are even better, but its price is about twice as high). From OSB boards of the third type, internal walls of the room can be assembled, floors are laid, the foundation for the roof is laid or the walls of residential buildings and technical premises, such as a railway car, truck, trailer, are sheathed.

Pros and cons of OSB

Let's look at the pros first. First of all, these are its following technical characteristics:

1. High strength. It is achieved precisely by mutually perpendicular arrangement of chips in different layers. The correct use of OSB, including the correct choice of plate thickness, will allow the structure to withstand loads of up to several hundred kilograms.
2. Light weight. The standard weight of a whole plate - up to 20 kg - can be lifted by any worker, which allows you to work in a variety of conditions.
3. Elasticity. The structure of the material provides sufficient flexibility, which allows the surface to be bent without the risk of fracture. This is used when working with rounded and other non-perfectly flat surfaces.
4. Moisture resistance. Achieved through resin treatment. Compared to wood materials, OSB board is much less susceptible to deformation from the influence of water and humidity.
5. Simplicity and convenience in work. OSB boards can be worked with using simple tools such as a saw, drill, screwdriver. In this case, the cuts are quite even and do not require additional processing. The plate well fixes the most affordable fasteners: nails, screws, self-tapping screws. Installation of OSB is very fast.
6. Heat and sound insulation. Compared to other wood-based materials, OSB performance is much better.
7. Chemical resistance is also achieved by treating the board with resins.
8. Environmental friendliness. Chips treated with special impregnations and glued are not afraid of fungus or mold.
9. Affordable prices.
10. Attractive woodgrain appearance that does not require additional design work.

Among the shortcomings, perhaps, it can be noted that when working with a stove, especially when cutting, protective equipment is needed, such as a mask or a respirator. Wood dust, in addition, treated with chemical compounds can be harmful to the respiratory system. In addition, some grades of low-quality board may release toxic carcinogenic gases during operation.

Harm to health

Disputes about the dangers to human health of OSB boards have been going on for many decades. Wood itself is an environmentally friendly and safe material. Plates are made mainly from coniferous wood, less often - hardwood (aspen, ash, poplar). The danger to humans is only the composition of the resins with which the chips are glued together. They included phenol-formaldehyde components, which, during operation, emit toxic gases such as formaldehyde, phenol, benzene. These are toxic, allergenic and carcinogenic compounds that adversely affect the skin, eyes and respiratory tract of a person. That is why the use and production of OSB for a long time did not receive the proper scale.

The release of gas is affected by the temperature and humidity of the environment. The higher they are, the more toxic fumes. Therefore, OSP-3 and OSP-4 intended for high-humidity rooms are safer for health.

Currently, non-toxic carbamide resins are used in the production of quality products.

The safest for humans and suitable for interior decoration (toxic emission index E0 - E1) are the products of such leading companies in the industry as Glunz (Germany), Norbord (Canada), Egger (Austria). But the plates "Kronospan", "Kronopol" with the index E2 - E3 are suitable only for exterior decoration and non-residential premises.

Products that do not contain formaldehyde are labeled Green or Eco. You can be calm about it and use it to decorate the interior of your own house or apartment.

The second risk factor is low-quality wood. Often, in pursuit of low cost, a manufacturer can use low-quality raw materials, simply speaking, with garbage and hazardous waste.

Therefore, when working with OSB, it is necessary to reasonably evaluate the quality of products used for a particular object, this will minimize harm to human health.

Main dimensions

The size of the finished plate from the manufacturer is of two main types:

• 2440 mm x1220 mm;
• 2500 mm x1250 mm.

Russian-made plates can also have the following sizes:

• 2500 mm x 1850 mm.

The thickness of the product can be: 9, 10, 11, 12, 16, 18 and 22 mm.

For board with grooved edge, the following values ​​are available: 15, 16, 18, 22 mm.

Estimated prices

The price is usually quoted per sheet. Sometimes the price per cubic meter is used, since the price of a sheet is proportional to its thickness. The most popular type of OSB-3 board on the market. The price for one of its sheets ranges from 500 Russian rubles for the thinnest (9mm) to 2100 Russian rubles for the thickest (22mm). As you can see, sizes and prices are correlated indicators.

More detailed sizes and prices can be found in the price catalog of a particular seller. Be sure to pay attention to the composition of the resins and the manufacturer if you buy OSB for interior decoration.

Features of choice

The most common mistake when choosing wood chipboard is the difference between the European and American classification system. If the classification of OSP-1, 2, 3, 4 is adopted in Europe, then the American system offers only three types of products:

• interior;
• Esposure1;
• Esposure1 Type Exterior.

In this case, additional markings “F”, “R” and “W” are used (floor, roof, wall for floors, ceilings and walls, respectively).

So a domestic buyer, intending to purchase products corresponding to the characteristics of the most popular OSP-3, could receive the wrong product that he actually needs. This was often used by unscrupulous intermediaries, and consequently, a false opinion has developed among Russian users about the low quality of North American OSB boards. This is not true. It was Canadian factories that were the first in the world to start producing these products, over the decades the technology has been developed and improved, but when buying, you must carefully study the accompanying documentation.

Well-known and trusted manufacturers

The pioneers in the production of OSB are, of course, North America:

• Norbord, Canada;
• "Georgia Pacific", "Louisiana Pacific" USA.

In Europe, production began later, but the Russian market mainly receives products from the following manufacturers:

• Kronospan has factories in 26 countries of Eastern and Western Europe. Production started in Austria;
• Glunz, Germany;
• Egger, Austria, UK;
• "Bolderaja", Latvia.

More recently, just a few years ago, production began in Russia, these are factories:

• "Hillman", Vladimir region;
• "Kalevala", Karelia;
• Kronospan Group, Yegorievsk, Moscow Region.

At present, the orientational strand board is the most modern and practical of all wood-based building materials. Increasingly, masters prefer to use it because of the excellent value for money, as well as a large number of advantages.

Sheet building materials are used in frame housing construction, with dry leveling of planes. One of these materials is OSB board (OSB, OSB). She pressed, GKL. And all because with good technical characteristics, it has a low price.

What is OSB board and OSB

One of the sheet building materials is OSB (also called OSB). The name is an abbreviation of the full name of the material - "oriented strand board". That is, it is correct to call this material OSB. The second name - OSB - comes from the transliteration of the English version of the name - OSB ( oriented strand board). English letters were simply replaced with similar ones in Cyrillic.

OSB is a multilayer material (3 or more layers). Each layer consists of wood, ground into chips, mixed with resins. Wood chips are used long and thin (several millimeters thick, up to 7 cm long). The chips in the layers are located in different directions: the outer layers have a longitudinal orientation, the inner ones have a transverse orientation. This results in high elasticity and dimensional stability. Various resins are used as a binder. They give the material water resistance, but contain formaldehyde. It is the content of this substance that stops many from using OSB. But, if the material is produced in accordance with GOST, the formaldehyde emission does not exceed the performance of wood. But this can only be verified in laboratory conditions. So the ordinary buyer can only rely on the inspection authorities. Or choose another material.

Types of OSB

Depending on consumer properties, oriented strand boards are produced in several types:

If you need moisture-resistant OSB, carefully consider the choice of manufacturer. Be prepared for the fact that OSB 3 is more expensive than non-moisture resistant brands. Even more money will have to be paid for OSB 4. We do not recommend looking for cheap material. Too many complain that the purchased OSB 3 swelled by 3-8 mm from moisture, in some cases it even bloomed or overgrown with fungi. All this is due to attempts to reduce costs. To do this, use fewer disinfectants, a cheaper binder. Chinese manufacturers instead of pine chips put hardwood, which is easily affected by fungi and diseases.

Properties and specifications

OSB boards compete with other sheet materials both in the field of construction (for sheathing frames, creating formwork) and in the field of finishing (leveling walls, floors, ceilings). This is facilitated by the properties of OSB:

Once again, we draw your attention to the fact that moisture resistance and resistance to deformation are characteristic of OSB, which were made in compliance with the technology. Unfortunately, the Russian-made material is not of high quality. Less powerful presses are used, they try to save on the binder, do not apply markings. As a result, there are many examples of negative experience: plates swell from moisture, warp them, glue is washed out ... The way out is to look for plates of imported (Europe or USA) production. Due to the growth of the dollar, they now have considerable prices, there are very few of them on the market, but, if desired, you can find or order with delivery.

The situation is aggravated by the fact that in appearance it is impossible to distinguish moisture-resistant OSB3 from non-moisture-resistant OSB2 or 1. The latter cost much less. Unscrupulous sellers sell cheaper ones under the guise of moisture resistant ones. This is where trouble comes in. As a way out, you can do this: buy one sheet of OSB 3, check its behavior at high humidity. If there are no visible changes, buy a batch.

Application area

The properties of OSB make it possible to use this material as a building or finishing material. Here are the jobs it can be used for:

• Sheathing of frames and walls from the inside and outside.
• Floor and ceiling leveling.
• Flooring of a rough or finishing floor along the logs.
• Removable formwork when working with concrete.
• Solid crate under, metal tile, slate,.
• Production of SIP panels and thermal panels.

There is a constant debate among developers about how safe OSB is. In its production, resins are used that emit formaldehyde. Manufacturers claim that the release of this substance does not exceed 1%. Materials with such formaldehyde emission are considered absolutely safe. About the same amount of this substance emits wood. Therefore, such materials are allowed for the construction of children's furniture. In addition, OSB boards with an emission of 0.5% appeared. You can distinguish them by two criteria: the name contains the prefix Bio or Green and they are more expensive.

Please note that the level of formaldehyde emission must be controlled. Each batch of material must be checked, the actual parameters must be indicated in the accompanying documents. Despite all the arguments, not everyone considers this material to be safe, preferring to use natural material - boards. They are, without a doubt, an environmentally friendly material, but it takes longer to work with boards, they are more expensive. In general, everyone decides for himself whether to use OSB boards or not.

Dimensions of oriented strand boards

Since the purpose of the OSB board is different, different sizes can be convenient. The situation with the size of OSB boards is not easy. On sale there are constantly 1220 * 2440 mm and 1250 * 2500 mm. There are also formats 1250*2800 mm, 1250*3000 mm, 1200*6000 mm, but they are extremely rare on our market, although in many cases they are much more convenient to use. Having picked up the right size, you get rid of the need to “grow” the missing centimeters or saw off the extra ones. But there are not so many of them on the market, since these are imported plates, and now it is difficult to import ...

The OSB board can also be of different thickness - 9 mm, 12 mm, 15 mm, 18 mm, 22 mm, 25 mm. Each type of use has its own thickness:

• Sheathing of walls, ceiling - from 9 mm.
• Solid crate for roofing materials - from 12 mm.
• An OSB board from 15 mm thick will go to the floor.

Another one of the applications of OSB boards is a removable formwork for concrete work.

OSB board is a convenient building material. It can be sawn with a conventional wood saw, use a grinder with a cutting disc, a jigsaw. The material is well drilled, screw nails can be used without pre-drilling. But then their hats stick out, which is not always convenient.

Before finishing, the OSB board is coated with a primer. It is selected depending on the finishing materials - to equalize the absorbency and improve adhesion to other materials.

And MDF in construction and in the manufacture of furniture have been used for quite a long time. Their undoubted advantage is low cost, ease of processing and long service life. However, such sheets have one very serious drawback. They are made using a large number of resins containing harmful phenol formaldehyde. Therefore, in recent years, OSB boards that are practically devoid of such a drawback, relatively recently appeared on sale, have become increasingly popular among consumers.

Definition

What is an OSB? Outwardly, such sheets are very similar to chipboard. However, in addition to relative harmlessness, they are also more convenient to use and operate. They call OSB boards a modern building material made using chips and wood chips, as well as resins (in small quantities) as a binder component. Like chipboard, sheets of this type have an absolutely uniform surface. That is, they are devoid of protrusions, depressions, knots, etc.

What is OSB: features

Such plates consist of several alternating layers of chips and wood chips. They may vary in size and thickness. But the layers in them are always perpendicular to each other. In this case, the upper ones usually go along the length of the sheet, the lower ones - across. This structure makes this sheet material resistant to tearing and compression. In addition, OSB boards, due to their structure, hold fasteners very well. Another undoubted advantage of such a structure is that OSB sheets are very strong in bending.

Thus, knowing about the structural features of this material, one can understand what the decoding of the OSB is. The plate consists of layers of different directions and is called accordingly.

In simple terms, OSB stands for "oriented strand board". The structure, which is complex in comparison with chipboard and MDF, makes this material convenient to use, durable and very popular with the consumer.

What sizes can

Plates of this type are used in various areas of construction and furniture production. Therefore, their sizes are different. Most often on sale today there are standard sheets of 2500x1250 mm. The thickness of the plates in this case can vary from 8 to 26 mm (in increments of 2 mm). Weigh material of this type, depending on the dimensions, can be from 15 to 40 kg. That is, these plates, unlike, for example, from the same wood or plywood, are also quite light.

Scope of use

What is the OSB, we thus found out. But where exactly is this material most often used? In construction, such plates can be used:

for the construction of temporary enclosing structures;

for cladding walls, floors and ceilings;

for roofing under soft materials;

for temporary sealing of windows, doors, etc.

The use of OSB in furniture production makes it possible to produce practical, durable and attractive cabinets. Bedside tables, tables, chairs and chests of drawers are also constructed from sheets of this type. Quite often, such material is used in the production of upholstered furniture and beds.

Types by density

Such plates can differ not only in size and thickness. There are several varieties and density. When buying such material, of course, among other things, you should pay attention to its labeling. So, for example, plates:

OSB-1 have a rather loose structure. They cannot bear too much load. In addition, such sheets are very weakly resistant to moisture. It is allowed to use OSB-1 boards, for example, for sheathing walls and ceilings in very dry rooms.

OSB-2 differs from OSB-1 in a denser structure. Accordingly, they have a greater margin of safety. It is allowed to use such material, for example, for sheathing floors that are not subjected to too significant loads during operation. Also, such sheets can withstand greater humidity than OSB-1. They can also be used in ordinary residential premises - in corridors, halls, bedrooms.

OSP-3 are the most popular variety among consumers. Plates of this brand can be used, among other things, in wet rooms. It is allowed to sheathe them and street structures. But in the latter case, they need to be additionally treated with compounds that increase resistance to moisture and frost resistance.

OSB-4 - the most dense sheets. The scope of use of such plates is practically unlimited. Their only drawback is their rather high cost.

On what grounds can plates still differ

What is it - OSB-plate - and what are the varieties of such material - it is clear. Sheets of this type differ mainly only in density and size. But there are several other features by which this material can be classified.

Most often on sale you can find ordinary OSB sheets. However, if you wish, today it will not be difficult to purchase such material:

grooved;

laminated;

varnished.

Oriented strand board OSB of the first variety has a groove or ridge on all sides. They are usually used for sheathing flat planes. Laminated OSB is often used in the manufacture of reusable formwork. The surface of these plates is very smooth. And therefore, the formwork made from them is easy to remove after the cement mortar has hardened. In addition, the finished concrete surface itself, when using such formwork, turns out to be even and smooth. As a result, in the future, among other things, the cost of its finishing is also reduced.

A feature of lacquered OSB boards (OSB) is, first of all, that they look more attractive than other varieties. This material is most often used to assemble temporary floors or walls.

Advantages

This material is lightweight, inexpensive and easy to use. The advantages of OSB boards, among other things, include:

stability in terms of geometry;

relative fire safety;

the ability to resist the fungus well;

durability;

ease of processing.

Unlike the same tree, OSB sheets do not warp or dry out during operation. During the production process, such boards are already initially treated with compounds that increase fire resistance and antiseptic properties.

Sawing and drilling OSB is not as difficult as, for example, plywood. The edge does not crumble in such plates during processing.

It is believed that in terms of technical properties, OSB boards are superior to both chipboard and wood, fiberboard and MDF. This material wins in terms of performance and in comparison with plywood. Because of the excellent qualities, builders even call OSB boards "improved wood."

Material disadvantages

The advantages of OSB boards, therefore, are just a huge amount. But this modern material, like any other, has some drawbacks. The disadvantages of OSB sheets, consumers include in the first place:

the ability to draw water and swell;

albeit not too serious, but still a danger in terms of ecology.

Resins in such material are contained in minimal quantities. Therefore, these boards are considered more environmentally friendly than, for example, chipboard and even MDF. However, OSB can still emit phenol formaldehyde. When used in rooms of class E2 or in rooms with an air temperature above 30 ° C, it is recommended that such sheets be additionally treated with primers or covered with drywall.

When buying OSB boards, be sure, among other things, you should pay attention to the brand of the manufacturer. The most environmentally friendly plates of this variety, supplied by European companies, are considered. The most low-quality sheets of this type are made in China. Experienced builders recommend using plates from the Celestial Empire in the most extreme cases and only in the open air.

With regard to OSB sheets manufactured by Russian companies, in terms of security, there is currently no particularly negative information on the Web. In any case, before buying plates of this type of any brands, among other things, you should also study the manufacturer's certificates. Phenol-formaldehyde resins can actually be very dangerous for human and animal health. For example, it is believed that such vapors can cause cancer.

Characteristics of OSB boards

In consumers, sheets of this type, therefore, enjoy well-deserved popularity. This is determined, of course, primarily by their excellent technical characteristics. Below the reader can see a table comparing OSB with other modern popular building materials.

The specific technical characteristics of OSB boards depend mainly on their type in terms of density.

Features of working with OSB

What is OSB is thus clear. But how to work with plates of this variety? It is very easy to assemble structures from sheets of this type, as already mentioned. OSB boards are fastened, regardless of their size and thickness, usually to wooden frames using self-tapping screws. At the same time, when using various kinds of enclosing structures for sheathing, it is recommended to equip a ventilation layer under such sheets.

Finishing over tiles

Surfaces sheathed with OSB can be decorated in different ways. Very often for finishing on top of such plates are used:

dyes;

drywall;

ceramic tile;

laminate, carpets, linoleum;

It is allowed to paint this type of material with both water-based compositions and acrylics. Before performing this operation, the plates are recommended to be primed. Processing OSB sheets, if necessary, is allowed using not only dye, but also varnish. Before applying the primer, such plates should preferably be further sanded. It is believed that of acrylic paints for processing OSB, Nordica Eco 3330-03 is best suited. The best primer for this material is GF-021.

Tiles should be fixed to OSB using adhesives designed for wood tiling. Before sheathing OSB floors with laminate, linoleum or carpet, it is recommended to seal all gaps between the sheets with silicone.

Before wallpapering, OSB boards, as well as before painting, must be primed. In this case, the surface of the material must also be sanded first. It is recommended to add a little PVA to the glue when decorating with wallpaper. This will reduce the water content in it and prevent the plates from swelling in the future.