Plywood vs OSB Oriented Strand Board | Everything you need to know!

[@JohnSmith-kf1fc]

You're killing it again Belinda! Thanks for talking about the soy based alternative to traditional phenolic glues for plywood. I didnt know it was out on the market. Its a pleasure to see you grow but not a surprise, you are the only one tackling basic building science and bringing it to everyone from homeowners to small contractors, this is great the world needed you. You rock!

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks, John!!

[@creature8297]

ditto!!

[@joshpit2003]

Asside from the swelling: OSB loses nearly all of its nail-holding strength after it gets wet (even after drying). Advantech OSB is no exception. There is an excellent demonstration video of this issue from a flooring company (who does not warranty a floor nailed to OSB for this reason). That said: OSB as sheathing and sub-floor isn't relying on nail-holding strength, so it's really only an issue for flooring.

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks for sharing that info!

[@StrangerHappened]

Another issue OSB rots from within due to its loose (after being wet) internal structure and is more poisonous (unless it uses a rarer and pricier soy-based glue).

[@kalijasin]

​@@StrangerHappened osb absorbs moisture like a sponge which causes the dead mold spores in the wood to reactivate.

[@kalijasin]

@@StrangerHappened That's a very serious health problem. Black mold is worse than asbestos in insulation, lead in paint, etc.

[@ithinkdoyou]

@Jason C. I don't want to say you are wrong, but you are absolutely wrong that dead spores are reactivated. Dead spores are dead, however spores can be dominant for extended periods until conditions for growth are right (like moisture goes up)

[@2ndChanceAtLife]

Building homes with mold food. WHY?????????????

[@BelindaCarr]

$$$

[@AdamSambuco]

@5:34 - That OSB furniture is an abomination.

[@Blake4625kHz]

😂

[@frederickclause2694]

I have an OSB briefcase that I got about 25 years ago. It has taken a real beating over the years but is still in good shape, but even empty it's really heavy.

[@benpearce5807]

Belinda Carr, you are the best... Absolutely love everything you cover in your vids... One day, do commercial roofing products... TPO, PVC and EPDM... Because I believe you'd knock it out the park with the pure knowledge... Absolutely love everything you do...

[@dbryant3500]

I’ve built homes for almost 30 years, and I wouldn’t use osb to build an outhouse...

[@paulsawczyc5019]

I use OSB in my wood burning stove - no complaints.

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

Its loaded with cancer causing chemicals please don't burn it

[@robhardy1109]

Another great video and it highlights possibly the most important thing in building: waterproofing. Flashing and sealing are neglected more than anything, and can literally knock 100 years of life from a home.

[@lillithcollins5192]

It's good to know that the production of plywood and OSB are environmentally sustainable but I curious as to their environmental impact in regards to disposal. What is the average lifespan of these products? Do the adhesives break down when they become waterlogged and then enter the water table? What is the proper or most common method of disposal: Organic decomposition, burning, landfills or can they be recycled? Does the break down of these products add pollutants to air, soil, or water? I think it's important to consider these things when talking about their environmental impact. Many products, such as plastic grocery bags, have a low impact when manufactured but a high impact when disposed of. Conversely, paper bags have a higher carbon footprint when manufactured, but a lower environmental impact than plastic when disposed of.

[@VagabondTE]

Oh my God I just left a comment wondering the exact same thing. And I even use plastic bags as an example. I really wonder about the resin furniture craze. Aren't resins petroleum-based? Is that carbon negative or carbon neutral? I guess it's fine if it doesn't break down and poison water tables but I have no idea!

[@IngeniebrioCivil]

Pine forests are not sustainable when are grown in exotic enviroment, specially when it mean cut down native forests. Pines increment the acidity of the soil and impede the growth of any other plants, killing insects and with that birds and other animals. Also pine forests dry underwater reserves. Same thing happen with Eucaliptus forests grown to make paper or textile fibers.

[@jeffs7573]

@@IngeniebrioCivil I’m not sure what you say is true. Pine and spruce forests cover most of the northern hemisphere, pine and spruce trees are shallow root trees, they do not have deep root systems, that’s why they blow over so easily in strong winds. As for the acidity of the soil there are many plants that thrive in such conditions as well as wildlife.

[@TrogdorBurnin8or]

All wood-based and cellulose-based products are going to be significantly useful fixed carbon in the short-term ("carbon-negative"). There are some minor environmental problems otherwise, but don't cut off your nose to spite your face: The only alternative that's been developed are concrete & steel buildings, which are immensely carbon-intensive. Most plastics are even less harmful than that, frankly. Yes they come from oil, but when discarded they turn into stable fixed carbon, the very best case. The major pollution problems of plastics today involve marine threats from developing-nation waste disposal strategies, and unverified fears about microplastic pollution (principally from polyester clothing). Plastic microbeads in cosmetics were a watershed issue, but we banned them. Plastic shopping bags were a municipal cleanup nuisance issue, and we banned them.

[@juzoli]

I wouldn’t say “sustainable”, as it still causes damage. Even though it’s less damage than most other material. I would still be careful not to produce too much construction waste.

[@drpk6514]

Use rice and wheat husk and sugarcane wastes for making OSB. Then you will have something decent both environmentally and economically.

[@belaad]

These comparison videos are an absolute BLAST! It's much easier to understand the properties of something in comparison. Please keep making them!!!

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks! I will continue them :)

[@scottgray6276]

A friend made some countertops out of OSB, back in the 80s…he stained them a brilliant green, then antiqued them with opaque black paint, before sealing them. They looked a lot like malachite, which was the idea!

[@BelindaCarr]

Whoa, that's creative

[@scottgray6276]

@@BelindaCarr Larue was brilliant….I’ve lost touch with him, I’m afraid…

[@Ceshaujourdhui]

I would like to see a photo if possible ❤️❤️

[@scottgray6276]

@@Ceshaujourdhui not possible…l live 3K miles from there, and that friend died a couple of decades ago.

[@eldergeektromeo9868]

Thank You (again) Belinda. I learn so much about building materials from you!

[@BelindaCarr]

Thank you!

[@tinytonymaloney7832]

What an interesting video, I didn't know that the ply sheets were peeled of the log in such a manner, nor did I know how OSB was constructed. I wondered what the 'oriental' part of the name referred to, now I know. Not sure if you get chipboard across the pond as you didn't discuss this, but would like to see a video on that. 👍

[@BelindaCarr]

Yes, working on that video!

[@joshpit2003]

The O stands for "Oriented". As in: positioned.

[@robertwoodroffe123]

Limey

[@MarinCipollina]

@@robertwoodroffe123 Blimey !

[@jrrarglblarg9241]

Worst splinters I’ve ever gotten have been from OSB.

[@BelindaCarr]

Same here

[@paulsawczyc5019]

And it dries your hands out - maybe the glue.

[@Krashlandon]

As a Floridian I've been wary of OSB after seeing some awful water damage. But your video gave me some great context so I'll be a bit better informed going forward. Thanks for the great work again!

[@ArcolaBridge]

Marine plywood is used on boats all the time. I wonder if there is Marine OSB?

[@BelindaCarr]

I haven't found Marine OSB anywhere. Maybe there's something similar?

[@ArcolaBridge]

@@BelindaCarr I just think that it is so inferior that at this point in time OSB just wouldn't be a good decision for a very wet and hot environment like a boat. And of course when it comes to framing a house plywood is still better than OSB but people use OSB because it's cheaper.

[@ArcolaBridge]

@@BelindaCarr also I'm starting to notice PVC sheets are becoming more common as well as other variations of plastic can be purchased in various sizes and shapes ordered from the manufacturer. I find plastic decking to be frustrating because it can't be recycled because of the wood pulp content.

[@joshpit2003]

@@BelindaCarr Marine OSB is an oxy-moron, like clean-diesel.

[@KaceyGreen]

I learn something at every video

[@milesobrien2694]

I worked at an Oriented Strand Board plant as a private contractor in Northern Alberta in the late 1980's. So OSB isn't all that new. It was amazing to watch the plant in operation. The wood source was Aspen, another fast growing softwood. The issue I was called in to remedy was the incredible voltage surge when the heated presses were turned on. I had to isolate all the computers and communications from that voltage spike. The induced current was high enough to burn out circuit boards in the main telephone switch several hundred meters from the actual operations building.

[@SoulisStar]

Are you talking about the OSB plant By GP?

[@milesobrien2694]

@@SoulisStar This plant was about 15 miles outside of Slave Lake.

[@Ntinosg]

they are using about 20.000v to freeze the glue

[@j3dwin]

What was the root cause?

[@milesobrien2694]

@@j3dwin of what? The inducted voltage on the communication wiring?

[@litrealred6840]

Thanks! I always wonder the difference! 💕🙏🏻

[@jamesbeecher4431]

The glues of plywood and osb are dangerous in fire situations. in general, the flashpoint of wood is ~700-750°F while the glues tend to be ~60% of that. About 350-400°F for some of the glues. Some of them, in transit, need to be labeled as "FLAMMABLE" because of a flashpoint ≤100°F {per N.F.P.A. classifications} . Anecdotally: I have, on a number of occasions, seen OSB show no signs of fire spread on second and then be completely engulfed in flame a few seconds later. The temperatures had not started to char the wood but the panels started to off gas the glues and those gasses ignited. And, because of the greater surface area if the chips in the osb boards, the entire panned started to combust.

[@IKonMann]

One of the biggest negative aspects of OSB related products is their poor vapor permeability performance. This is a big deal as homes become more air tight…which in turn emphasizes the importance of proper vapor management.

[@karenromero1703]

I remember while I in school (Construction Technology) I was rattling on about using OSB in my house and was told by my framers OSB was twice the strength of plywood. My instructor looked at me and said, oh really, then took a piece of OSB and Plywood slanted on wall and with his boot he easily broke the OSB in half and not the plywood. Plywood is superior!

[@Krupster_architect]

Belinda: Just crossed paths with your fantastic videos. I'm certain you've been asked a gajilliion times, but do you or have you considered making videos that qualify for CEU's? Honestly, your vids are FAR FAR better than any others I've watched. I actually WANT to watch them vs. feeling FORCED to do so. Please let us know if you have anything out there for CEU's? Thanks so much, Christopher Alan Krupp, ncarb, architect.

[@4486xxdawson]

Thank you for your professional look at the 2 products . I never thought about the off gasses as something to think about 👍 this was a very educational look at things thank you ....

[@kalijasin]

Claims made by the building products industry and manufacturers of osb is that osb is better than plywood because its less porous and has more shear strength. But those claims are only true per the testing they've done and don't hold up in the real-world.

[@TheBeljames]

You're the most knowledgeable and trustworthy source of product information on the internet Belinda, my wife and I learn so much from you. Many thanks!

[@brockhebert9955]

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve always had your videos in my feed and they were always very informative but then when I saw the attack on you from that company on the installation video and then your response I am going to support you 150%. You’re just doing what you like and trying to make a decent living and you’re a great professional spokes person with a level mind. You will have nothing but success don’t stress out too much with all the success you’re going to have

[@barkebaat]

Consistently high quality content :-)

[@BelindaCarr]

Thank you!

[@johnx9318]

Word perfect. You are one of the very best of the best presenters. Thank you for your insights.

[@vijaymalhotra7046]

Good learning experience for me. I did not even know what OSB stood for until I had a shed made. The contractor introduced me to this OSB and the curiosity brought me to this web site. Thank you for educating me. .

[@maddeusdoggeus1]

Outstanding Videos and Content! Thank You.

[@walterpleyer261]

Plywood was also used for aircrafts, like the De Havilland Mosquito, aka "The wooden wonder",. For the Mosquito the layers of plywood were pressed and glued together in curved shapes which gave the plane remarkable strength (and made it harder to pick up on radar as a welcomed side effect)

[@cletusvandam2110]

I love the way you explain these products i can't get enough of you

[@IvanKuzmenyukPersonal]

Conclusion: use timber. If we will count all the energy required to produce sheet products, it's easier to cut and dry timber. And it is way healthier.

[@quintessenceSL]

Dunno. I could see a future of engineered products that are a mix of recycled materials like discarded plastics and something high tech like graphene for strength (big fan of pvc planks except for the weight). Then it isn't simply energy requirements but total carbon footprint (there was some research that stated farmed trees are actual carbon positive).

[@ecospider5]

Do to the strength difference you need to use a lot more wood when using standard lumber than when using plywood or osb. Also trying to make a building air tight without engineered wood would be a nightmare.

[@aayotechnology]

So you'd use solid stock for a subfloor for instance? You don't think modern materials like plywood have any benefits?

[@IvanKuzmenyukPersonal]

@@ecospider5 We don't need this air tightness and such a strength. We are talking about residential construction. Timber is more than adequate building material. I'm not into arguing with you or the guy above, just common sense. People were building with timber for centuries.

[@IvanKuzmenyukPersonal]

@@aayotechnology My choice is concrete radiant floor. No need for any subfloor. Wood is definitely not the best material for the floor. I don't want to have any hazard fuming materials inside my house. Probably too idealistic point of view, bit not impossible though. Just my choice, not an advice for anybody else.

[@RogierYou]

Awesome content 👍

[@jameshutchins3396]

All of your videos are excellent. Maybe because you do enjoy making them which does come across quite well.

[@ag-om6nr]

Brilliant young lady ! Always worth listening to her lectures !

[@collinE83]

The prices for OSB right now are disappointing. For what is supposed to be a product that makes use of wasted scrap, it’s feels like it’s one of the more expensive things in building now.

[@DatIIV]

I've been missing your videos! I watched all the time up untill 2 months ago when your videos just disappeared from my recommendations, really wish the algorithm wouldn't mess with a good thing

[@Latinys]

thanks you Belinda, im Nicolás from Argentina!

[@DEtchells]

Hi Belinda, another great video. I’m curious, you mentioned that plywood and OSB are used in custom homes: what is used instead for tract homes?

[@VagabondTE]

I'm glad you like making them because these are fantastic. This is genuinely useful information and I sound much smarter than I am when my roommate walks in and hears you reading chemical names. One thing I wonder about tho is how much the resins and glues that go into these products break down. Sure, everybody talks about plastic bags and drinking straws but then we go home to a house that's full of glue and resin. Maybe these things break down just fine but I have no idea and I worry we're getting distracted by small-scale user products.

[@dosadoodle]

Plywood (and I'm sure OSB) will burn like mad if it gets going. I used a few scraps for a campfire and it burned faster and hotter than regular firewood. I'm curious how the fire resistance test (7:37) should be changed to better clarify properties like that, because many of the materials will contribute to a fire more aggressively than the testing method suggests.

[@Ntinosg]

normal, there is more air inside. But after depends the osb grade, 1 to 4 there enormous deference in how compact they are

[@Ntinosg]

and the "god" palette wood is way worst to work with

[@TrogdorBurnin8or]

There's definitely some contribution from the resin, but the biggest impact in new lumber will be the moisture content: OSB & ply are dried out before glue to make them dimensionally stable, while green wood hosts maybe three or four times its lignocellulosic mass in water weight. Any kind of construction lumber should ideally be kiln-dried in a similar way for dimensional accuracy.

[@SurmaSampo]

@@TrogdorBurnin8or Also most firewood is hardwood which tends to burn slower (except eucalyptus which is naturally full of volatile solvent).

[@genoangelica1354]

Really enjoy the videos also very informative

[@Harikusa]

You are well presented and I generally don't care about building materials but I do watch your every video because how comforting and interesting your videos are. Quite nice to watch while having a cup of tea :)

[@galapagos4154]

Çok güzel bir çalışmaydı teşekkürler 🙏🙏🇹🇷

[@SgtMow]

This is a very informative and comprehensive video. Thank you for making this.

[@andspenrob]

We still see new housing developments use OSB sheathing in the PNW (Seattle)... Custom builds move up to Zip sheathing. What is TX using if not OSB for spec homes?

[@chrishall5439]

Then they put osb siding on the osb sheathing with no rain screen?

[@andspenrob]

@@chrishall5439 Oh, hell no... LP won't even warranty their siding in the PNW. It's mostly concrete (Hardie) or Cedar if you're fancy and pretty sure rain screens are code now.

[@seanm3226]

Your comment implies that Zip sheathing is different than OSB. Other than the built-in house wrap, Zip sheathing is OSB.

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

I'm glad my DallasTX home was built in 1984 no osb anywhere!!!

[@johnwhite2576]

@@seanm3226 no it isn't- huber usb core is much better than off the shelf big box usb-juts leave it out exposed for 6-12 mosand you'll see.

[@collin4555]

These comparison videos always manage to reveal topics that I didn't know I was curious about, I quite enjoy them. I'm also glad you mentioned the off-gassing, I was wondering about that as soon as you mentioned how much resin/glue is involved.

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks, Collin

[@RamonInNZ]

@@BelindaCarr What can be done to mitigate the VOCs off-gassing causes health issues

[@JigneshChowatia]

We make from equalptus agroforestry logs & it’s very very strong with 750 density

[@billb3565]

you are always so informative thank you.

[@JigneshChowatia]

Hii .. we are the first Indian company having manufacturing OSB per day 330 cbm

[@spartaeus]

OSB, Advantek, etc, does not hold up to moisture. I bought a house that has Advantek flooring and sheathing. We had to replace it within 5 years in the bathroom and door entrance way with plywood, as the OSB delaminates in moisture prone area's. The plywood is still Good 10 years later. The Advantek on my roof still needs to be replaced, as the roofing screws lose their holding ability as the OSB expands and contracts.

[@robertjames-life4768]

Remodeling my bedroom, gutted to the studs, my timing couldn’t be worse- paying 8.98 for a 2 x 4 x 8’! Lumber is ridiculous.

[@christschool]

I've been a woodworker for decades. I'm now 55 years old and doing a remodel on a 50 year old house, removing a particle board underlayment that is 1/2 thick. Worst material in the world in terms of off gassing. All these products using formaldyhyde are fine with someone that is young and healthy. But as you age your immunity deteriorates like everything else in your body. Removing the particle board from an 1800 sq. foot house triggered thrush in my mouth, even with wearing the proper PPE. Soy based polymers have problems too, notably they attract rodents and other pests that will feed on the soy. We still have a long way to go in wood glues as there really is no product that is both safe for air quality nor safe from pests.

[@Jizzlewobbwtfcus]

This was FASCINATING!!! You really know your stuff but totally lost me when you mentioned all those chemicals and glues used hehe. Great content for me to learn from. You got a new subber. All the best from the UK : ]

[@jjohnson479]

Excellent video! You are amazing with your knowledge. Keep it up, I love watching your videos.

[@BelindaCarr]

Thank you!

[@SteveP-vm1uc]

Other than GREED, I would LOVE to hear the excuses, I mean, the reasons lumber companies are giving for the insanely high prices... Also, what can we do about it???

[@sterneis1]

OSB is forbidden in Switzerland for outer underlay ( roof, outside walls) we use wood boarding 2.5 cm for roof substructure. we have ventilated roof structure. wood boarding can take dry out when it gets moisture.

[@ScottyDMcom]

In the USA, what is sold at Home Depot, Lowes, and similar stores is builder-grade hardwood plywood. If you want furniture-grade hardwood plywood you must go to a hardwood lumberyard. The normal use of builder-grade hardwood plywood is for built-in furniture, and a quick way to get the look of frame-and-panel wall treatment--from wainscotting to full walls. Lowes and Home Depot probably sell a lot of this stuff to amateur furniture builders because these folks are used to going there, and have not discovered where professional furniture makers shop. Why use furniture-grade hardwood plywood for your furniture projects? #1: The veneer on the surface is much thicker. Because builder-grade hardwood plywood often comes from the Far East, is an ultra-thin North American hardwood veneer on top of a locally-sourced mahogany veneer, both running the length of the sheet. Unless you really examine the edge this will look like a single ply. It is not. I once battled with oak plywood with a surface veneer so thin I could see the yellowish glue in the bottom of the ring pores. Not noticeable until you put a piece of solid oak next to it. Ultra-thin veneer also means sanding the surface is a poor idea. #2: The interior plys are much better quality. Builder-grade plywood (of all types) can have cracks, open knotholes, and other defects. This can telegraph through to the surface, or when cut this can leave voids on the edges. #3: The selection of furniture-grade sheet goods is a better for making furniture. MDF has a super-smooth surface and is a dream to cut because it doesn't splinter. You can get MDF core with a hardwood veneer. Need more strength? OSB core, thin plys of MDF on either side, and hardwood veneer on surface. There's also Baltic birch plywood (the domestically produced equivalent is called apple ply). Baltic birch has zero voids, every ply is birch and a uniform density, and every ply is the same thickness. Genuine Baltic birch often comes in 5 x 5 sheets, so check your local hardwood lumberyard before planning your cutting list. #4: Edges get damaged, therefore furniture-grade sheet goods are often slightly oversized, 49 x 97 inches is common. In contrast builder-grade sheet goods must fit a particular stud, joist, or truss spacing, plus leave a narrow gap for expansion. Builder-grade sheet goods are 47 15/16 x 95 15/16 inch (when dealing with a builders' lumberyard 9 and 10-foot long (minus that 1/16th) are also available. Builders do not have time to trim every piece to size, but furniture makers always start by trimming off the factory edge. I'm not a pro builder or pro furniture maker, and I go to Home Depot all the time. But I'm aware there are alternatives, so when I need something special I get the real deal from the appropriate place.

[@bandislife2004]

Excellent description and explanation!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️💪💪💪💪⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@crforfreedom7407]

If one wishes to know which is stronger, simply span a trench with one then the other, then drive a mini-excavator over it. 2-3/4" layers of ply will support the weight of the mini no problem. 2 3/4" OSB with break and fail. That said, I've been surprised at how well OSB holds a fastener. Cost be damned, ply for subfloors and roof decks, OSB for sheeting. All day long...

[@aberba]

The plywood by local producers in Ghana have their glue mixed with floor to cut cost hence they develop moulds/fungi when moist for a while (sometime overnight). They are terrible. They use extremely cheap wood for outside layers too.

[@milanmedek3555]

great and informative as usual. Keep on comparing.

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks, Milan!

[@ph11p3540]

Can you do an article on ZIP System building sheeting boards? They seem to be taking the Canadian residential home construction by storm. They are cheaper than plywood but more expensive than OSB. Their main weakness is limited availability due to patents on the products and propriety system owned by Huber Engineered Woods. Speaking of engineered woods, what do you think of the some builders building high buildings out massive engineered timbers such as Mjostarnet in Norway, HoHo Vienna, Austria or Brock Commons Tallwood House in Vancouver, Canada. Do you already have a video on these emerging large timber high rises?

[@servus47]

I read somewhere that formaldehyde is no longer used in OSB from new guidelines put in place in 2018. Is that accurate?

[@projectsheadoffice6989]

Can you give me Difference between GYP board & fiber cement board , Also want to know that instead of Gyp board can i use fiber cement board in making house in USA, What will be thickness required as per US code for Inside wall & outside wall

[@TheRealBrook1968]

Yes, a doubling of tariffs in Feb 2021 by the current USA federal administration and an anti-natural resource policy by the current Canadian federal administration.

[@MrClingclong]

I have liked working with ply my entire building career (37 years). But recently, here in the UK our builders merchants have been supplying ply of such a poor quality it has appalled me. The merchants seem rather reluctant to acknowledge the problem (delamination) and say that all the necessary industry tests have been passed. I find this very, very hard to believe, in fact I don't. Could their reticence in admitting the products inferiority be anything to do with it being made in...yes, you've guessed it, ... China?

[@eaglebend3131]

We bought a house built mid-90s in Oregon with Louisiana Pacific OSB siding. There were issues with swelling at the base of the panels. I hired a siding inspector and she told me the builders neglected to install a zinc strip between the concrete footing and the siding. That resulted in the LP siding wicking up damaging moisture from the concrete. She also mentioned another OSB problem that I would like to ask if you know whether it's true or not: Do OSB strands sometime get "folded" in the manufacture, and get embedded into the product like springs always trying to "unfold" open, which is exacerbated when exposed to moisture?

[@twstvan93]

It is price gouging at its worse by the lumber industry that extends to all forms of wood products, as is evidence greatly by the low price charged to our American neighbours vs Canadian lumber retailers…it’s just evil when Canadian contractors have to buy back lumber shipped to the US cheaper than buying local!

[@alsonngambom09]

This video is very informative. please make videos on exterior wall cladding materials found in Indian market.

[@jimmyyin7869]

I learned that the most popular binder for OSB is pMDI which is better than UF, MF，PF, etc..

[@chx1618]

I'm going off the price mentioned at the beginning of the video since in the "cost" section the video was inconsistent with the narration for this comment: I'm surprised that OSB is more expensive than plywood considering that the former requires veneer-quality logs but I haven't heard of any grading requirements for the strand feedstock. Plus lathing seems like a more capital-intensive process than chipping, but I guess it might not matter that much at that scale. Plus it seems like OSB demand should be lower since it's less water resistance and much uglier.

[@eaglehigh-h3e]

Thank you for the video. Subscribed and liked. Need help with this question. I want to install a vent (it has 2 holes for screw/bolt) on my window. To do this, I must mount the vent onto a 4ftx2ft flat material that has a 4 inch hole on it. Then screw/bolt the vent to the material to hold it in place. Then mount the material to the window. One side of the material will be exposed outside. Rainwater will touch it when it rains. The other side and the 4 edges of the material will be inside the window. I think zinc, aluminum or stainless-steel plates will work but they are expensive. What other materials can I use? Thank you in advance.

[@porshal.1052]

I'm looking for an alternative to drywall and experiment with hempwool insulation, what would be the best option for this project?

[@maxmintz511]

Excellent presentation. No fluff.

[@alsacs3635]

Great video. Question, I have been seeing some new construction homes use styrofoam sheathing instead of OSB sheathing. I know they say that styrofoam is better at resisting moisture but wouldn't using OSB along with Tyvek house wrap be a stronger option as far as the structural integrity of the house?

[@trunoholdaway2114]

Why isn't building with bamboo more common? I've seen some pretty good hard laminate boards made from bamboo. With how fast it grows & how good the quality can be I would think it would be more common by now.

[@tonymanero5544]

The environmental comments are disclosed by the manufacturers or sellers like Home Depot or Lowes.

[@hobbies6396]

One good thing plywood is doing is more attractive timbers don't get buried in unseen parts of the building process, such as studs and beams, that are covered by linings, therefor attractive slower growing woods can be used where seen, BUT, here in Australia there has been a lot of old growth forests destroyed for plantation of fast growing eucalypts and pines. (for these products) where a good forest grows naturally you can bet a logging company has its eye on it... . there has been a massive land grab going on.... maybe things will get better one day...

[@k4x4map46]

Nice presentation!!

[@pauleohl]

Has 4 become an odd number? Sheathing is typically 4 ply. The two inner plies run in the same direction.

[@NoirHammer]

OSB looks nasty and is prone to mold. I think if I ever built my own house OSB would only be used as a door stopper or something I can scrape the dirt off my boots on but that's about it.

[@carlosbourdet5415]

just curious do you know why OSB's sheer strength is so much higher than plywood?

[@pearlperlitavenegas2023]

6:19 did she mean to say plywood? She said osb but that looks like plywood to me? Both are crazy expensive

[@NautilusGuitars]

Amazing video, as always! You've really carved your own niche here and I'm loving it. Always super informative and concise. To add a bit to the discussion: I used to hate OSB because of how weather sensitive it was. I remember when the smallest bit of moisture would destroy it. But I've noticed a massive improvement over the past 10 years. I was amazed last year that a few off cuts I left outside for almost a year, through rain and snow, had stayed perfectly intact and was still useable. It's definitely improving a lot over time.

[@tycox8704]

Would an OSB product with a smooth veneer surface make sense?

[@trustme7731]

So, in other words, neither product is a good choice for home building. Outside of solid wood and concrete, what are the alternatives? I mean, how can we build without these two products?

[@erNomic]

The reason they're so expensive is because big investors want full control of the housing market. If you have no other cheap options to live then you'll have to pay to rent the houses they already own.

[@Rockefeller.69]

youre the only person on youtube going into the practical science of building supplies. ty

[@NSResponder]

OSB is mulch. I wouldn't use it on anything that I needed to last for more than six months.

[@scottt.4596]

So so good. Love these comparison videos. Incredibly educational. Thanks 🙏🏻

[@BelindaCarr]

Thanks, Scott!

[@upvccomau]

Another good video comparison, thank you for making it )

[@renardjackson92]

Like information getting a better understanding of the difference in these because I really wanted to know which one would be good to use out side that wouldn’t rot from rain

[@russellswift2218]

For someoine in the trade across in the UK, I'm loving this video Belinda

[@oasishome5664]

Super good videos !!!

[@Jinyawood]

Plywood is much better than OSB in quality

[@Kyle-gq7tk]

I would love to see you do furniture build videos!

[@Mimi-Forever]

I really love these comparison videos! I'm very new to DIY-ing and I feel both this video and the laminate vs. vinyl video helped me understand these types of products a lot more.

[@Majoofi]

I was curious as the the percentage weight of the glues.