Plywood or OSB? Used as Intended, the Two Products are Interchangable
Technical Topic
Since its introduction in the 1980s, oriented strand board (OSB) has played an increasingly important role as a structural panel for a variety of construction applications. Some design and construction professionals have a preference for OSB or plywood, raising the question of which product is better.
This publication is designed for: designers, builders, architects
Both OSB and plywood are manufactured according to a set of standards that assure very similar performance when used in the intended applications (sheathing, single-layer flooring and exterior siding). This publication discusses the interchangeability of the two products.
Key sections include:
Manufacturing process
Performance vs. prescriptive standards
Advantages of performance standards
Product qualification and performance testing
Quality auditing and code recognition
Engineered applications
Performance consideration
Published by APA — The Engineered Wood Association.
