OSB subflooring panels provide an excellent base for many types of finished flooring including ceramic tiles if careful attention to the construction and preparation of the subfloor is paid in order to avoid costly callbacks.
There is a vital difference between Plywood and OSB panels and sheathing that are classified as ‘Exterior’ and ‘Exposure 1’. Utilizing the wrong panels or sheathing could compromise the structure which is exposed to weather. The classifications are based on material composition as well as the durability of the adhesives utilized in the manufacturing process.
Confused on which side of OSB it is safe to paint? Get the answer today from the Ol’ Sage Builder and get painting!
Nail or screw pops occur from time to time. The average house has about 25,000 to 35,000 fasteners, so a dozen screw pops is normal, but when you’re getting hundreds, you have a serious problem and a very expensive callback. Here are some construction tips to help prevent screw and nail pops so you save time and money.
The APA Engineered Wood Association provides comprehensive guidelines for the storage of wood panels on site. Correct on-site storage will allow plywood and OSB wood panels to acclimatize to conditions on the building and prevent a plethora of framing problems down the line. The APA outlines several guidelines on the correct storage of panels to minimize the conditions that can lead to buckling and ridging; after all you’re protecting your investment.
The appeal of wood is its natural makeup and warm texture. But that which most attracts us to hardwood flooring is also the reason for most of the call backs flooring installers have to deal with. When problems occur, inspectors must determine who the culprit is and it’s usually moisture. Understanding how moisture affects a flooring and sub-flooring installation can help you to avoid problems and expensive call backs.
Increased incidence of strong weather systems and the tragedies that follow high wind events have encouraged engineers and designers to rethink the way we build to improve wall strength. Stronger walls will keep home occupants safer during weather events and will increase the lifespan of the home. One of the problems is that the roof, wall and flooring systems are installed as separate entities. Connecting the OSB wall sheathing and the flooring system can create a continuous load path which can improve wall strength by up to 38%.
Here is an interesting question that is probably affecting most of you at this time of the year – what’s the best way to melt ice off your OSB!
Your shingling job is only as good as the quality of your roof sheathing and framing members. OSB roofing panels are popular because they are durable and easy to work with, but you must install them properly as mistakes at this level, such as buckling, can telegraph through the shingles.
Make sure to leave a 1/8 inch gap between your OSB panels to avoid buckling. Use 10d box nails or spacer-type panel edge clips to gauge the gap for hassle-free installation.
