OSB for sheeting?

[catch22]

Im using osb for sheeting my garage and I plan to put vinyl siding on after but im not going to be able to put the siding on till the sping,how can I protect the osb from the weather,or do I need to over the winter?

Thanks Mike

 

[Matti]

Everyone around here seems to use Tyvek.

 

[OldCarGuy]

For the few dollars more, I would go with plywood sheeting rather than OSB. It is far more weather resistant. In any case cover the sheeting with Tyvek . Use plenty of staples, windy weather is its’ worst enemy.

 

[Stuart in MN]

You need to put some type of weather barrier underlayment like Tyvek or tar paper on the building before siding it anyway, so just do that now and it should be fine until spring.

 

[catch22]

I do have foam board insulation that im going to put on before the siding will that act as a barrier over the osb?

Thanks Mike

 

[IDASHO]

only if all the seams are taped.

As for the OSB being exposed, dont sweat it. It isnt that fragile. OSB stays exposed through the winter here in idaho on homes that are being built, and doesnt even change color. Let alone break down.

 

[Kevin54]

only if all the seams are taped.

As for the OSB being exposed, dont sweat it. It isnt that fragile. OSB stays exposed through the winter here in idaho on homes that are being built, and doesnt even change color. Let alone break down.

Ditto. OSB will be fine for a year and longer depending on the weather. I have seen houses get started, coverd with OSB and left vacant for a number of years with no ill effects other than discoloration and some fibers raising. After a number of rains, snow, freezing and thawing you may see some delamination, but for the most part it will be fine. They use waterproof glue when they make it, so it takes a long while to break down. If you are really **** about it, then wrap it with Tyvek, or even wrap it with some visqueen or felt paper. but I'd say, don't even worry about it unless you don't want to lose that brand new look that it has when you first hang it.

 

[FunfDreisig]

I'd cover the OSB with Tyvek, tar paper or the foam insulation well taped.

FWIW I used to knock OSB as a low budget "plywood replacement". But I've grown to understand that in many applications (like the one you describe), OSB is actually superior to "real" plywood, which is much more likely to delaminate when exposed to weather. For example, I just replaced the "temporary" OSB construction decking on the cabin with Brazilian hard wood. The 1/2" OSB on the south facing front deck (36'x6') had been exposed to temps from sub 20 to over 105 degrees, ice, standing water and blazing direct sunlight since June of 2005 -- 3 years of weather and foot traffic abuse! It had gotten pretty brown and a little "spongy feeling" in some high traffic areas but overall was still pretty sound.

Funf Dreisig

 

[kbs2244]

If you are in a pretty dry winter area (humidity, not snow fall) then you don't have to worry about covering it.
If you do deside to cover it do not trust the staples or washer type nains to protect it from wind damage.
Buy some lath strips and nail them in a network of criss cross over the studs and every 3 or 4 feet verticaly.
That will keep it from flapping in the wind.

 

[bigdav160]

For the few dollars more, I would go with plywood sheeting rather than OSB. It is far more weather resistant. In any case cover the sheeting with Tyvek . Use plenty of staples, windy weather is its’ worst enemy.

Unfortunately, my experience is just the opposite.

The quality of OSB has been going up.
And the quality of plywood has been going down. Way down.

I'm converted to OSB.

 

[BooUrns!]

Since you're going to wrap the garage in rigid xps foam sheets then don't worry about it. How are you going to find the studs to nail in your siding later on? Are you going to strap the garage walls to give yourself something to nail your siding on to?

If leaving the osb exposed all winter it shouldn't be a big problem. If you choose to leave a housewrap exposed, use black building paper, two layers. It will save you some money and be just as effective as Tyvek over the lifetime of the structure.

When deciding between osb and plywood, it comes down to a cost issue. OSB is always cheaper and does the same job so it wins. Aesthetically, a plywood sheathed house looks better but you need to keep in mind these are structural elements. Save some cash now and put a higher quality finish surface (i.e. NOT VINYL) on your project.

Tyvek/Typar will deteriorate from long term exposure to sunlight. Tyvek is basically made from mono-filament, same stuff as your fishing line but applied differently. It has a 6-9 month exposure window before it breaks down to the point where it's just expensive paper. Tyvek is used to equalize the moisture content in your wall insulation with that of the outside air. It allows water vapour to pass yet repels water in liquid form. The 6mil poly vapour barrier on the inside (warm side) of your wall is there to keep the moisture out.

 

[02RoadKing]

Check out ZIP sheeting by advantec it is osb that has a coating on it so you do not have to use house wrap on it! Here in PA it goes for around 9.00 a sheet. There is 1/2" that is brown for roofing and a 7/16 green for walls.(or visa versa?) Anyway its a little more then osb but you don't have to use tar paper on the roof or wrap on the walls.

 

[mike's48]

If u are using felt(tar paper) on the sides of your shop do not leave it up when you install your vinyl siding!!! It will make the siding do bad things because of the heat build up between the two.
Good luck,
Mike

 

[catch22]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone,your input has helped alot!

Thanks Mike

 

[JimmyMc]

One more note. OSB has an 2 different surfaces. One is smoother than the other. the smooth side should face out. Most manufacturers put a water repellant, or wax coating on the exterior side.

 

[BooUrns!]

Interesting, the osb manufactured and sold here is smooth on the interior side. The exterior rough side is where the fibreglass embedded layer is located. The smooth side even has a small block of text indicating which side is the exterior.

 

[rcleaver]

Check out ZIP sheeting by advantec it is osb that has a coating on it so you do not have to use house wrap on it! Here in PA it goes for around 9.00 a sheet. There is 1/2" that is brown for roofing and a 7/16 green for walls.(or visa versa?) Anyway its a little more then osb but you don't have to use tar paper on the roof or wrap on the walls.

They have a reputation for a consistent, square, well fitting product. Their tongue and groove products are designed for automatic spacing.

You have to tape the seams with a special tape and use a special roller (I have one) to adhere it well.

They were giving away the roler recently and I snagged one.

 

[bomber]

I was talking to a builder in Florida -- he was doing some restoration work on Edison's shop (a must see for old tool freaks like me, er, middleaged guys that like old tools . . . . . o, heck, never mind)

they'd done the structural work, insulated the outer walls, and getting ready to apply teh siding -- he was using tar paper, and I asked why not tyvek -- he said it broke down quickly when left exposed, and they were a small crew (keeping costs down), and he wasn't sure how long it would be til they got the siding up --

I didn't ask if the breakdown was specific to high temp/humidity conditions, or lots of UV (Florida, after all) . . . . .

I'm not a builder, nor an expert on tyvek, and didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night -- just another data point

 

[blkhonda1991]

Check out ZIP sheeting by advantec it is osb that has a coating on it so you do not have to use house wrap on it! Here in PA it goes for around 9.00 a sheet. There is 1/2" that is brown for roofing and a 7/16 green for walls.(or visa versa?) Anyway its a little more then osb but you don't have to use tar paper on the roof or wrap on the walls.

this is what i was going to recommend

 

[JimmyMc]

Interesting, the osb manufactured and sold here is smooth on the interior side. The exterior rough side is where the fibreglass embedded layer is located. The smooth side even has a small block of text indicating which side is the exterior.

It does not surprise me...there are numerous manufacturers out there...down here there is not a fiberglass layer.