OSB: what, where, whehr why & how

What is OSB?

Oriented suand board" or OSB, is an engineered panel product designed for strucnral applications in residential and nonresidential buildings. Because of its strength, availability and environmental friendliness, it's a product builders and remodelers should consider.

Why don't the panels look more like plywood?

OSB panels have a mouled exterior because they are composed of compressed wood strands arranged in layers at right angles to one another and bonded with fully waterproof adhesive. This cross lamination creates strength and stiffness that merits a perfonnance rating.

What does performance rated mean?

A perfonnance rated wood product meets performance requirements based on an intended end use. The structural wood panel performance standard provides a cornmon performance baseline for all panel types, regardless of manufacture. These standards and ratings guarantee top performance. They are similar to the perfonnance standards and tests used in the electronics, automotive and aircraft industries.

What is OSB rated for?

The American Plywood Association uses three basic performance standards for oriented strand board: structural adequacy, dimensional sta-

Sidinq Nails-

. NoStaining

. No Streaking o Slender shank and blunt diamond point

Highest quality nails for cedar, redwood and other fine wood materials.

. Diamond oattern head blends with wood texture . Small head diameter permits face nailing and blind nailing o Annular ring threads preclude nail head popping and cupping of siding boards

Swaneze

Ittbod Screws KI lffia;reilrer WK

r Self-counter sinking bugle and trim heads r Square drive recess eliminates driver bit cam-out . Sharp point for quick penetration with minimal oressure o Self-tapping coarse threads Coated with non-stick, dry lubricating film r Solid nickel/ chrome stainless steel for suoerior corrosion resistance r 6 lengths: 1" through 3" For additional data and dealer information: bility and bond durability. Perfonnance criteria for these have been established by building code requirements and panel products tests. Typical tests include linear expansion, racking, uniform load, concentrated static load, impact resistance, direct fastener withdrawal and lateral fastener strength. OSB panels manufactured under APA performance standards are rated fon three end uses: single layer flooring (APA Rated SutrdI-Floor), exterior siding (APA Rated Siding) and floor, wall and roof sheathing (APA Rated Sheathing).

How can I tell if they are APA Rated?

All APA Rated products are stamped with the APA trademark which identifies them and gives information about their perfonnance.

\ilhere do you use OSB?

OSB is a good choice for home construction. Panels are strong and designed to resist racking and shape distortion under high wind and earthquake forces. With excellent fastener-holding capability even when nailed close to the edge, they are lightweight relative to their size, easy to handle and install. They resist deflection and bending, absorb shock, have no lmots or core voids and don't delamin:ate or splil Because it's made of wood, OSB is a natural insulator and protects against heat loss and condensation.

Does OSB have special uses?

APA Rated Sturd-I-Floor, available with square or tongue-andgroove ends, is a combination subfloor-underlayment panel designed for use under carpet and pad. If it is used with tile or linoleum, an additional thin layer of underlayment is recommended. APA Rated Siding comes in both panel and lap fomt in a variety of surface treatments and takes paint readily.

Is OSB suitable for d-i-y use?

OSB is not just for Professional builders and remodelers. OSB panels can be an economical, versatile choice for many do-it-yourself projects including partitions, cabinets, shelving, backboard and toys. OSB panels manufactured for d-i-y use do not have exposure or span ratings.

Why do you say it's "environ-

mentally friendly?"

Although OSB has been around for over 10 years, it has recently been recognized as an environmentally friendly engineered wood product. Severe harvest restrictions have underlined the importance of OSB's ability to utilize low-cost hardwoods, plantation thinnings and small, fastmaturing species grown in managed forests or tree farrns. OSB uses 8590Vo of the log with the bark, saw trim and sawdust usually converted inSo energy or pulp chips. OSB panels continue to be environmentally friendly after installation. Bonded with fully waterproof phenolic resins, they are exempt from HUD emission testing and certification requirement. Next time a customer asks, "What's that funny stuff?," teu him!

Story at a Glance

How to answer a customer's questions about OSB information salEspeople can use to sell OSB to pros and d-i-yers.

The Treated Answer

Lumber, ply,vood, round stock stokes, poles, & pilings

Agency stomped, ground contoct fire reiordont pressure-treoted wood oroducts ACZA

Replaces sharp & dangerous sfee/ banding.

'Safe, easy handling & disposal

'High strength & durability

'Good shock absorbency

'Lorer weight & cost

'Excellent for wood heating

'Adjusts to wood's exPansion

'Kiln-Dry: Heduces twistingrlvarping

'No moe bruised wood or rust

'lmprint company name or color

By Peter Dempsey Marketing Mgr.-Doors Jeld-Wen. Inc.

A S A DEALER you don't have ro f,l apologize for selling wood. In fact, you should apologize for selling anything else. However, you need to lnow why wood is better than altemative products and inform your customers of its advantages.

Visit a wood product manufacturing facility to learn the process first hand. Ask your suppliers for educational materials to support a buyer's decision to buy wood. Use research statistics prepared by wood product associations. It's tine to tell our side of the story.

We're mad at the misrepresentation of the forest products industry as environmentally unconcerned and we're not going to take it any longer. Jobs, communities, our future and your sales depend upon our ability to tell our story cleady and honestly. When we examine energy and environmental issuqs, wood is clearly the winner. Wood is the only renewable building resource. Wood is energy efficient, durable, recyclable and biodegradable. Wood cleans the air

TREiIOIIT GUT ]IATTS

The linest historically correct cut nails from America's oldest nail manufacturer. Proven interest and use by firms and individuals involved in restoration and new construction projects. Great holding power where strength is needed. Special blunt end reduces splitting on shingles and other wood products. Tremont o 20 different varieties o Full range of penny sizes o Heat treated masonry nails a specialty

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