OSB vs. Plywoo

[Sarki]

Here's the question. Cost not being a factor, which is the better product for my attic floor. Building is constructed with 26' wide attic trusses placed 24" on center.
Original plan was 4'X8' sheets of 3/4" T&G plywood. Contractor delivered 3/4" T&G OSB. He tells me the OSB is just as good if not better for this application. My understanding is the plywood is a more desireable product, cost not being a factor.
Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

 

[sammm]

They will both work, but I'd take the plywood if money didn't matter.

 

[larry4406]

Is it AdvanTek OSB? If so, it is highly water repellent should you not get weathered in any time soon.

What grade of plywood? I would take OSB T&G vs knotty poor grade plywood.

The company I worked for built high-end production homes - $0.75 to 1.5 M. We used OSB subfloor everywhere except where we had marble foyers - we used hem-fir plywood in that application and choked the joist spacing to 12 " o/c.

Check costs and see what credit you are owed per your contract. I suspect the OSB is cheaper, will perform more than adequate for your needs, and you should get money back.

 

[Sarki]

Thanks for the response guys. Still waiting to hear back from the contractor as I'm trying to determine if the material shipped to the site was regular OSB or Advantech panels. Appears there is still a considerable price difference, the plywood being much more expensive.

 

[Gary S]

I vote for OSB. After using both in my buildings, I'd never spend any extra anymore for plywood. Plywood is a good product, but OSB is its equal in my opinion.

 

[Sarki]

The exact product they shipped me is called Stabledge. They shipped 3/4" T&G Stabledge though the contract called for 3/4 T&G plywood. Stay with ethe Stabledge or request the plywood??

 

[nate379]

The mill my Dad works at makes AdvanTech. He has been there since it opened in 1982.

http://huberwood.com/main.aspx?pagename=easton

Good stuff and made in Easton, Maine.

 

[southernfriedcj]

Advantech or Edgegold get my vote.
I've used them on hundreds of homes and they have been perfect.
I had a shower leak for 4 years in my master bath and had to rip up the tile on the shower floor & the tile on the bathroom floor as well as the hardwood in one closet. The Advantech was in perfect condition after 4 years of having water sit on it.
My only complaint was that the Advantech was so water resistant that the water just stayed on top of it and water migrated between the Advatech & the tile & hardwood.
The water finally found a hole and dripped into the ceiling below.
When I did the demo on the floor I just let sprayed the Advantech with some bleach, let it dry for a day and reinstalled the tile.
My lumber salesman told me lumber prices have dropped 14% for July and are continuing on a downward trend. It's a good time to frame.

 

[jake00]

IWe used OSB subfloor everywhere except where we had marble foyers - we used hem-fir plywood in that application and choked the joist spacing to 12 " o/c.
.

I hope there was plywood under any hardwood flooring

 

[fireman]

I vote for OSB. After using both in my buildings, I'd never spend any extra anymore for plywood. Plywood is a good product, but OSB is its equal in my opinion.

I agree except I think OSB is better than plywood as there are no "voids" like plywood has.

 

[larry4406]

I hope there was plywood under any hardwood flooring

Nope - OSB under all oak strip flooring with rosin paper/felt. This complies with NOFMA standards

http://www.installingwoodfloors.com/installation_manual/4-wood_subfloor.pdf

 

[londonsteve]

Imho OSB is great structurally if not being walked or constantly recieving different pressure stress's. But for any situation quality plwoody is best I have 30 years of experience in construction throughout America and Europe and have never met an architect or engineer who would choose OSB over plywood if it was not for the cost.
I have although built an entire Restaurant interior out of OSB as the client liked the look that included the floor, bar and ceiling!! it was like eating in a packing case.

 

[bmwpower]

OSB for a floor?? I never would have guessed it was rated for a floor. The stuff is so flexible I can't imagine walking on it.

 

[geaugafletcher]

I agree except I think OSB is better than plywood as there are no "voids" like plywood has.

Good plywood has no voids. Shamefully, it's very difficult to find anymore.

 

[bobadame]

I have 3/4 TnG OSB in the new loft, 3/4 plywood in the old loft. The OSB is noticably stiffer. It is engineered for this purpose.

 

[southernfriedcj]

OSB for a floor?? I never would have guessed it was rated for a floor. The stuff is so flexible I can't imagine walking on it.

Not 7/16 OSB, 3/4" Advantech OSB. It's stiffer than a teenage boy's weiner at the ******* Mansion.

 

[MrAmbitious]

I wouldn't use it, my house floor is 3/4" OSB and it sags when my 80 pound dog walks across it. Also, is squeaks like a symphony, and it really drives me crazy. Last comment, ask a general contractor what they would put in their personal house.

 

[nate379]

24" O.C. floor joists?? If a small 80lb dog is doing that stuff must fall off the tables when people walk??

My friend Joe makes the floor dip a little like to talk about, but he is close to 7ft tall and weighs just under 400lbs.

 

[amt]

Seems like the newer OSBs are a lot better than before. I picked up some TruFloor OSB 3/4" to make some deep shelves. The cheapest 3/4" plywood was almost $10 more per sheet and have noticeably more warp-age than the TruFloor. I would have to go to cabinet grade plywood to get the same stiffness and flatness, and that was well over double the price. I think the key is to get -premium- OSB, not the cheap ****...