What to expect in Specialty Structural panels

f, lthough a great majority of OSB la.oanels are described as commodity pinels used for residential wall, rool'. and floor sheathing. a growing number of specialty panels featuring new applications continue to make deeper inroads into the market.

"Specialty panels currently account for a small percentage of the North American market." said Mark Angelini of the Structural Board Association. "But their value-added applications and higher product qualitywill help specialty panels to increase market share."

Because OSB is made from tree stands orientated in different directions and assembled with various amounts of adhesives. OSB can be engineered for customized purposes such as flexibility from longer strands and additional resin for durability. most OSB use, creative producers are adding resins, stamping grids onto panels and pushing them as radiant sheet baniers in an elfort to oenetrate furthur into new markets.

Manufacturers, with advanced production technology, have come up with new formulas utilizing strand length. orientation and resin content. to produce panels with new applications and limited warranties of up to 50 years.

Higher resin for example, has resulted in an OSB flooring panel that is more resistant to swelling resulting from moisture uptake.

By applying more resin in the bonding process, the panel can better withstand construction delays, and prevent additional maintenance of panels on building sites.

New additions to the basic panel have targeted problems such as moisture and dampness in the basement.

Some manufacturers combine their panel product with plastic cleats that raise the boards off the floor, any seepage or condensation resulting from temperature fluctuations is channeled between the cleats and toward a central floor drain, keeping basement surfaces dry.

The panels can be snapped into place because of their tongue and groove edges without nails and adhesives.

The addition of a patented system of cutting/nailing grid lines that are stamped every eighth of an inch on OSB panels is another innovation that helps homeowners and builders install panels for various applications including roof sheathing, side walls, subflooring and siding.

Other firms have developed a radiant sheet barrier that can be attached on structural panels to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss.

These products are said to prevent up to 977o of the sun's heat from entering the attic, significantly reducing the run time of air conditioning units.

"Anytime a builder can convince a customer that a structural panel product will save on energy costs, you are adding a new dimension that has favorable environmental implications valued by homeowners," explained Angelini.

Although consumers have so far been slow to favor certified wood, Angelini stressed that all members of the distribution chain who work with OSB should expect that to change in the near future.

"Environmental certification," he explained, "will serve as an advantageous marketing and sales tool for residential builders as well as structural panels and specialty product manufacturers."

Western Wood Preserving Companyprides itself in carrying the right inventory mix of pressure treated and fire retardant treated lumber and plywood for your "just in time" needs.

No ouantitv is too bie or too small! We can do multiole truckloads 6r just a ftw pieces, whatever your needs may be. Don't carry more inventorv than vou need! Rely on us to be yoirr #1 supplier fiir CCA'and fire retirdant treated wood!

Osmose FirePRO

The most advanced fire protection system avatlable for wood. We manufacture and stock a complete line of common use iterns including dimension lumbeq ply'wood and timbers. Treating service only (TSO) is also available.

Osmose pressure treated CCA