Plywood or OSB Panels: Which is better?
Both OSB and plywood wood panels can be used for wall sheeting, sub-flooring panels and roof panels, but OSB has some advantages
Builder Insights / Blog
Tag / Wall Sheathing
Taller Wall Sheathing Makes Walls Stronger
Innovative manufacturers like West Fraser that think outside the box have flipped the structural sheathing panels for vertical installation and increased their height. Longer wall sheathing like TallWall enables an overlap at the joists which eliminates hinge points to increase wall strength. Longer sheathing also reduces the number of seams which improves energy efficiency and makes for a stronger, smoother, flatter wall.
West Fraser’s Onsite App Helps Reduce Callbacks and Costs
Norbord’s Onsite app helps prevent mistakes and reduces construction time. Onsite enables builders, framers, and DIYers to work effectively with all their OSB products.
Building for High Wind Events
While it’s more difficult to build structures that resist higher impact storms from EF-3 to EF-5, modern technologies and a better understanding of shear and uplift forces is making it possible to construct homes that survive even violent storms.
Taller Wall Panels Reduce Air Leakage
As construction costs increase and building codes demand more effective building envelopes, construction professionals are looking to taller wall panels to fill in the gaps. OSB wall panels already make for a sustainable and cost-effective option but with longer length OSB wall panels, the efficacy of the building envelope is increased by creating fewer seams while costs, waste and installation time are reduced.
A Cost-Effective Solution to Combined Shear and Uplift Winds
Homes built in high-wind areas must be able to withstand the wind forces known as uplift (which try to roll the structure over) and shear (which tries to push the structure sideways). Catastrophic damage to property and tragic loss of life have prompted industry professionals to look for cost-effective ways to build homes better able to withstand combined shear and uplift using products trades are familiar with. Now structural wall sheathing can provide the required continuous load path needed to resist high winds and meet high wind codes.
How important is Panel Spacing?
So is the spacing between your OSB panels actually important? Better consult the Ol’ Sage….
Using taller wall panels saves time and money
Have you started using taller wall panels in your buildings? The advice of the Ol’ Sage Builder: If Energy efficiency is on your mind then you should be! Read on for all the details.
Preventing Painting Problems
Painting problems can really ruin an otherwise perfect job and you get stuck with time-consuming call backs. While selecting the wrong paint for the job can cause issues, most call backs result from improper application. Whether you are spaying, rolling, brushing or using a combination of these methods, becoming adept in paint application not only saves you time and money, it also finishes your job so professionally that you will turn your customers into raving fans.
Critical Nails for Wall Sheathing Installation
Far too often builders and framers say “it’s just wall sheathing” and don’t pay enough attention to how sheathing is installed. Slapping it up and saying “good enough” can lead to some very expensive repairs that can damage a builder’s reputation, something the Ol’ Sage wants to help you avoid!