OSB smooth side in or out for walls?

[estesbubba]

I'm using OSB for my walls and ceiling and wondering if I should do smooth side out or in? The rough side has lines on it. I didn't know if one side primes, paints, and looks better? It's for a woodworking shop so the texture gives it character.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I put mine up, smooth side out. I know OSB ***** up alot of primer and paint on the smooth side, I can't imagine how much more the rough side would use.

 

[Boyd]

I'm using OSB for my walls and ceiling and wondering if I should do smooth side out or in? The rough side has lines on it. I didn't know if one side primes, paints, and looks better? It's for a woodworking shop so the texture gives it character.

For a woodworking shop, I'd definitely go smooth side out...less surface area for the saw dust to accumulate on.

 

[SteveCh]

I have found that painting OSB is easier on the smoother side. Especially if one is brushing the paint on. Haven't tried spraying, though.

 

[p_mori7]

Smooth !

 

[The Cobbler]

smooth side out, heavy nap roller to paint it .

 

[MScott]

The smooth side has some writing stamped on it (not as much as the other side with all the lines though.) Do you guys (or gals) sand this off before painting or use a sealer such as Kilz before priming and painting? I am just starting to put up OSB and wondered how much the writing would bleed through.

 

[The Cobbler]

try a test and see if it bleeds if so, kilz or equivalent sealer

 

[30cal]

I would put the rough side where I intend to walk on it. Just my opinion, painting osb yields a ****** looking deal no matter which side you use. It's an underlayment never really intended for a finish coat, the garages I've seen painted, well they just look bad. If you are using osb, leave it natural, don't waste time and materials painting it at all. JMO.

 

[driz]

We just did our barns tack room in OSB. It ends up looking like finished concrete. Great to work with easy to handle and cut but a pain to paint. Somebody told me the way to do this stuff right back in June. You need to prime it in Zisners oil base primer. 5 gallons at Home Depot $80. 24 x 12 walls ceiling took it all. Use a 3/4 nap roller. This is nasty oil based stuff that brought back memories of ugly cleanups. I just tossed the roller after, way too much head ache and thinner to bother with. After that dried next day it got painted with regular exterior latex. (due to moisture , unheated space). Get the Zisners Bullseye it will save you tons of headache , materials and time with the final coats. Once done these walls are hard as a rock and like I say looks a lot like concrete / stucco. Not particular pretty but for a rock solid wall board in a work area it's fine and dandy.

 

[30cal]

Tack room and horses. My folks had quarter horses, Pissey was the little studs name.He had his own stall, but he wanted the whole barn. Little ******* kicked 2x10 southern yellow pine boards in two pieces regularly...Dad would say "You sure you don't wan't to ride him?"

"No, Maybe next time Dad"

 

[MScott]

try a test and see if it bleeds if so, kilz or equivalent sealer

We just did our barns tack room in OSB. It ends up looking like finished concrete. Great to work with easy to handle and cut but a pain to paint. Somebody told me the way to do this stuff right back in June. You need to prime it in Zisners oil base primer. 5 gallons at Home Depot $80. 24 x 12 walls ceiling took it all. Use a 3/4 nap roller. This is nasty oil based stuff that brought back memories of ugly cleanups. I just tossed the roller after, way too much head ache and thinner to bother with. After that dried next day it got painted with regular exterior latex. (due to moisture , unheated space). Get the Zisners Bullseye it will save you tons of headache , materials and time with the final coats. Once done these walls are hard as a rock and like I say looks a lot like concrete / stucco. Not particular pretty but for a rock solid wall board in a work area it's fine and dandy.

Thanks. I don't want a show garage, just something easy to clean and brighter than plain OSB. Good ideas.

 

[Spirit20]

I did mine smooth side out. The rough side will collect more dust in any kind of shop.

 

[Bear]

Did mine smooth side out. Everyone says it is hard to paint - I thought it no harder than textured sheetrock. I used two coats of Heinz 57 latex I got for free at the local recycle center. Went on easy and covered well with none of the original ink showing through. The omly downer with Heinz 57 is that you get one choice of color - light grey.

 

[Angelfire]

I would probably go with the smooth side out and prime it good before actually painting it. That being said, another option that I'm considering is to put the OSB up then skin it with 1/4" drywall. Gives you the OSB for hanging stuff yet gives you a more finished look, if that's what you're after. Haven't done much research on this to be honest so if anyone has any inputs on that approach, it would be appreciated.
Cheers.

 

[mckameyzhiy]

I have found that painting OSB is easier on the smoother side

 

[Responder]

I did mine smooth side out. The rough side will collect more dust in any kind of shop.

^this. I did mine rough side out for something different. It is in my wood shop as well and it does collect some dust. Quick go around the shop with a leaf blower spring and fall seems to take care of the problem.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I used Kilz oil based primer and rolled mine on. I tried to roll over the print first and try to let it tack up/slightly dry and then roll it all. I put a second coat on it and then covered mine with Kilz 170 Pro-X paint.

 

[38Chevy454]

Another smooth side out. I used 2 coats of Kilz oil base, good coverage and durable finish.

 

[35chevy]

I just bought 40 sheets with no lines for my shop and I started the putting it up this week. The smooth side has writing printed on it so it's rough side out for me.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I just bought 40 sheets with no lines for my shop and I started the putting it up this week. The smooth side has writing printed on it so it's rough side out for me.

Umm, you have a thread on this place ? It looks interesting.

 

[35chevy]

Umm, you have a thread on this place ? It looks interesting.

Nah, I'm going to start one soon.

 

[Grinder Bill]

I bought a 5-gallon pail of general purpose barn primer and had it tinted... no paint coat required.

 

[kaffine]

If it is for a wood shop I would try and find some that has the smooth side without markings and not paint it. I lived in a house where the PO had done that in the living room looked really nice. He had used 1 or 2 inch wide strips of OSB to cover the seams.

 

[jgschroeder99]

I did mine rough side out (because I'm incapable of anticipating the future). 1 coat of Zinsser oil based primer and 2 coats of Dutch Boy latex paint put on with 1/2" nap roller. Looks pretty good.