Inadequate Panel Spacing – A Costly Mistake!
Spacing OSB panels 1/8” should be a basic fact of life for builders and their crews.
Builder Insights / Blog
Tag / expansion joints
Installation Tips for Tongue and Groove Structural Panels
When installing structural panels, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also liaise with your design professional and consult The Engineered Wood Association (APA) guide E30V which you can download here. We have included some tips to keep in mind when installing OSB wood structural panels.
Expansion Joints in Flooring
Expansion and contraction of your flooring system is a given. Because they are manufactured from different materials or different kinds of the same material, your flooring and substrate will expand and contract at different rates. Expansion joints give your flooring the space it needs to expand without buckling or cracking.
Why you Should Use Expansion Joints in Flooring and Sub-flooring
Using expansion joints allows your flooring and sub-flooring to expand without affecting the look and feel of your floors.
Correct Panel Spacing prevents Buckling
Plywood and OSB paneling expands and contracts as it adjusts to the moisture content of the building site. Unrestrained by fastening and framing, panels can move an average of 1/8 inch as they acclimatize. Correct spacing of panels will help to make allowances for expansion and prevent buckling of walls, floors and roofs and gaps in the building envelope that will compromise energy efficiency. “Energy savings start with the framing.”