OSB vs Plywood Roofing: Which Is The Better Choice?

Roofing is one of the most important aspects of home construction. If you want your roof to last for years, then it’s essential that you choose a quality material such as OSB or plywood. OSB and Plywood roofing materials are both made of wood fibers, but they have very different properties that make them better suited to certain applications. You may be wondering which is a better roofing OSB vs Plywood Roofing.

Generally, plywood is more durable and stronger than OSB. However, each of the materials has its own advantages and disadvantages that should be considered before making a decision. Plywood tends to offer some advantages that make it a more popular choice for roofing, particularly in areas with severe weather conditions. On the other hand, OSB is often a more economical choice and can be just as effective in many applications.

Let’s look at an in-depth comparison of OSB vs Plywood Roofing to help you decide which is the better choice for your needs.

OSB Vs Plywood Roof

OSB Roofing

OSB, or oriented strand board, is a type of engineered wood made from very long strands of fiber. The material has been used for roofing since the 1970s and it’s often compared to plywood because they both consist mostly of wood fibers. However, only about half the volume in an OSB panel consists of actual fibers; the rest is made up of wax and resin.

Advantages

Affordability

OSB is less expensive than many other types of roofing materials, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious homeowners.

Ease of Installation

OSB panels are large and uniform in size, making them easier to handle and install than plywood. The panels can also be nailed or screwed directly into the roof decking, which saves time and labor costs.

Water Resistance

OSB is treated with water-resistant resins, making it resistant to water damage and rot. This makes it an ideal choice for roofing in areas that experience high rainfall or snowfall.

Great Shear Strength

OSB panels have great shear strength, meaning they can resist wind and other forces that could cause them to break or crumble. This makes them a good choice for roofing in areas that are prone to high winds or severe weather conditions.

Flexible Dimensions

OSB panels come in a variety of sizes and thicknesses, so they can be easily customized to fit the needs of any project.

Disadvantages

Not as Attractive

OSB panels are not as attractive as other roofing materials, such as shingles or slate. This can be a disadvantage if you are trying to sell your home or increase its curb appeal.

Noisy

OSB panels can be noisy when it rains or hails, which can be annoying for some homeowners.

Plywood Roofing

Plywood is an engineered wood product that is made by bonding together several thin layers of wood veneer. The veneers are usually arranged in crisscrossing patterns, with the grain of each layer running in a different direction. This gives plywood exceptional strength and stability.

Plywood is available in a variety of thicknesses, with the most common being 1/2 inch, 5/8 inch, and 3/4 inch. The number of layers (or plies) in plywood varies depending on the thickness, but it is always odd-numbered to ensure balanced construction. For example, 1/2-inch plywood has three layers (or plies), while 3/4-inch plywood has five layers.

Plywood is graded according to the appearance and quality of the veneers on the face and back sides.

Advantages

Lightweight

Plywood is much lighter than OSB, making it easier to handle during installation. This helps to reduce installation time and labor costs.

Water-resistant

Plywood is also more water-resistant than OSB, making it a better choice for roofing in areas that experience high rainfall or snowfall.

Eco-friendly

Plywood is made up of wood fibers, which are a renewable resource. OSB is made up of chips of wood that are glued together with synthetic resins, which can be harmful to the environment.

Chemical Resistant

Plywood is more resistant to chemicals than OSB, making it a better choice for roofing in areas that are exposed to harsh chemicals or pollutants.

High Strength-to-Weight Ratio

Plywood has a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it ideal for roofing applications. It is also less likely to sag or warp over time.

Disadvantages

Expensive

Plywood is more expensive than OSB, making it a less affordable option for roofing.

Difficult to Install

Plywood is more difficult to install than OSB, making it a less convenient option for roofing.

OSB Board Vs Plywood Roofing

Your appropriate choice between the two options depends on many factors, but it’s important to understand the difference between OSB vs plywood which are:

1. Durability

Plywood is more durable than OSB. Plywood has a much higher resistance to moisture, insects, and fungi. However, plywood’s durability doesn’t make it the best choice in every situation; for certain applications, OSB may be better suited.

2. Cost

Plywood is more expensive than OSB, but it’s a better long-term investment. It costs 30% to 50% percent less per sheet compared to plywood and the panels are about 20% heavier.

For some people, the cost might not be an issue because they’re going for the best roofing material regardless of the price tag. These are the people who may prefer plywood for roofing.

For others, the cost is an extremely important factor in their decision-making process and they can’t afford to spend more money on a better product. These individuals will want to consider OSB vs plywood when planning their project because it’s significantly cheaper than any other type of engineered wood.

3. Permeability

OSB may be better for certain areas where permeability is important. OSB has much less water resistance than plywood but it’s still stronger and more stable in wet conditions. It also doesn’t swell like plywood when exposed to moisture, which makes it ideal for roofs that are impossible to reach during construction because they are too high or the terrain too difficult to traverse.

Plywood is ideal for roofs that are going to have a steep pitch because it’s extremely stable and strong. However, this characteristic also makes plywood less permeable than OSB so if you need your roofing material to allow water vapor through then OSB may be the better choice.

4. Lightweight

OSB is a lighter material than plywood. It doesn’t have the same load-bearing properties, but it’s ideal for roofs with a low pitch because it can be installed quickly and easily without scaffolding or special equipment. It’s also easier to transport and store, which is an important consideration for many people.

Since plywood weighs more than OSB it can be harder to install on roofs with a steep pitch because the panels are often too heavy to lift safely without special equipment.

5. Appearance

OSB and plywood also have different aesthetics. OSB is smooth, uniform, and light brown while plywood’s surface has a larger range of appearances because it can be finished in almost any way imaginable. It all depends on what kind of finish the manufacturer applies to the panels before they are ready for sale. Plywood may be more aesthetically appealing for some people because it can be stained, painted, or left unfinished which allows the natural beauty of wood to shine through.

There are also different types of plywood that have a better appearance than others. For example, grade-A hardwood plywood is ideal for ceilings and has a very attractive surface with consistent color and grain.

Plywood roofing is a much more traditional and natural choice than OSB because it’s made from 100% wood; however, OSB may be better for certain applications. It all depends on your specific needs and what you want to achieve with the project.

6. Dimensional Stability between OSB vs Plywood Roofing

Plywood’s dimensional stability is better than OSB, but it doesn’t have the same load-bearing properties. Plywood can be used in a wider range of applications because its smaller panels are much more flexible and lightweight. They’re easier to handle onsite and that means they take up less storage space which makes them a great choice for contractors who are working on a tight budget.

7. Strength

Plywood is much stronger than OSB. It can handle a wider range of climates and environmental conditions because it doesn’t warp or shrink when exposed to moisture. Plywood also tolerates repeated loads well which makes it ideal for roofs with steep pitches that are more susceptible to wind damage.

Shear strength is another important consideration for roofing because it determines how well a material can resist the force of the wind. Plywood’s shear strength is much stronger than OSB, which makes plywood a better choice if you live in an area where strong winds are common, especially during spring and fall when the weather changes frequently.

8. Ease of Installation

Plywood is easier to install than OSB. It’s lightweight and flexible and it has smaller panels which makes handling the material onsite much more manageable. That means it doesn’t require any special equipment or heavy machinery when being installed onto a roof because you can simply carry out the task manually without assistance from an elevated work platform.

OSB is a good choice for roofs that have low pitches because it’s also easy to install but unlike plywood which requires the use of scaffolding or an elevated work platform because it’s too heavy to lift safely without special equipment.

9. Resistance to Fungi

Plywood isn’t as resistant to fungi and bacterial degradation as OSB. It’s also susceptible to insect infestation which can degrade the integrity of the material over time, so if you need your roofing materials to have high resistance against this kind of environmental damage then plywood may not be suitable for your project.

OSB is a good choice for roofs that are exposed to high levels of moisture because it doesn’t degrade when in contact with water, rot, or fungi.

10. Ease of Repair

OSB is easier to repair than plywood. If a section of your roof sustains damage, OSB can simply be cut out and replaced with minimal downtime whereas it’s not as easy to fix damaged plywood panels because they have multiple layers which means you have to remove each layer one by one to repair the damage.

11. Environmental Friendliness

OSB vs Plywood roofing, plywood is the more environmentally friendly choice because it’s made from renewable resources whereas OSB isn’t. Both materials are recyclable but plywood takes up less space in landfill sites which makes it a greener option for large-scale projects that will have an impact on the environment.

12. Budget

Plywood is the more budget-friendly option. It’s easier to transport and requires less storage space, which means it has a lower cost of transportation as well as onsite handling. OSB panels are larger but plywood can be cut down into smaller pieces that reduce waste and save money for contractors who have to pay by the square foot.

13. Availability

Plywood is available in a wider range of sizes and thicknesses which means you have more flexibility when it comes to choosing the right product for your project because plywood can be used across several different applications whereas OSB panels are limited in size so they’re only suitable for a low-pitch roof.

14. Storage Space

Plywood requires less storage space which means it has a lower cost of transportation as well as onsite handling. OSB panels are larger but plywood can be cut down into smaller pieces that reduce waste and save money for contractors who have to pay by the square foot.

How to Install OSB Board for Roofing in 7 Simple Steps

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to install an OSB board for roofing. These steps are simple and easy to follow.

Step 1

Prepare the roof. This includes removing the old roofing material and installing any necessary sheathing or decking.

Step 2

Install a felt paper or ice and water shield.

Step 3

Begin by attaching the OSB board to the roof rafters. Be sure to use nails or screws that are long enough to penetrate through the OSB board and into the rafters.

Step 4

Once all of the OSB board is attached to the roof rafters, you can begin installing the roofing felt. Start at the bottom of the roof and work your way up. Be sure to overlap each layer of felt by at least 2 inches.

Step 5

After the roofing felt is installed, you can begin installing the shingles. Start at the bottom of the roof and work your way up, overlapping each row of shingles by at least 2 inches.

Step 6

Once all of the shingles are installed, you can install the ridge cap at the top of the roof. Be sure to nail or screw it into place.

Step 7

Now that the OSB board is installed, your roof is ready for use.

FAQs

Why Is OSB Better Than Plywood?

Some builders prefer OSB because it tends to be cheaper than plywood and because it is produced in larger sheets. OSB is also stiffer than plywood, so it is less likely to warp.

Is OSB Better Than Plywood?

Plywood is a type of manufactured wood panel. It is made by gluing together thin sheets of wood veneer. OSB is a type of engineered wood panel. It is made by binding together strands of wood with adhesives. Plywood is generally considered to be a superior product to OSB, although OSB does have some advantages. Plywood is more dimensionally stable, meaning that it is less likely to warp or swell. It is also more resistant to impact damage. However, OSB is less expensive than plywood, and it is easier to work with.

Can You Use OSB Board for Roofing?

OSB panels are suitable for roof sheathing. They are available in a variety of thicknesses and sizes, and they can be cut to fit the specific dimensions of your roof. OSB panels are easy to install, and they provide a good base for applying roofing materials.

How Do You Choose Between OSB and Plywood?

When choosing between OSB and plywood, it is important to consider the intended use of the material. If the material will be used in a high-moisture environment, such as on a roof, OSB is a better choice because it is more resistant to water damage. If the material will be used in a low-moisture environment, such as on walls or in furniture, plywood is a better choice because it is more dimensionally stable. It is also important to consider the cost of the material. In general, OSB is less expensive than plywood.

The Verdict: OSB vs Plywood Roofing?

Plywood is a good choice for roofs with steep pitches that are more susceptible to wind damage. Plywood’s shear strength and ease of installation make it ideal if you live in an area where strong winds are common, especially during spring and fall when the weather changes frequently.

OSB is better suited to roofs with low pitches because it’s also easy to install and it has a high resistance against fungi, water, rot, and insects.

Reference: professionalroofing.net