OSB vs Plywood: Which One Wins?

In this video, we're going to do the ULTIMATE CHALLENGE between OSB vs plywood. Which one is better for your roof?
I'm putting these two items through several tests to see which one is the best in strength, water absorption, and more. Watch till the end to see which one is the winner!
Both OSB and plywood have their benefits and drawbacks, so it's important to choose the right one for your project. In this video, we'll stack test both to see which one is better for construction purposes. After watching this video, you'll have a better idea of which one is right for your project!
0:00 intro
0:08 Test #1 - nail pull test
1:32 Test #2 - water absorption test
4:03 Test #3 - strength test
8:24 real life example #1: delamination
9:04 real life example #2: TERMITES
9:25 the winner
#osb #plywood #construction #roofing
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[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Do you agree with the results of this challenge? Let me know👇

[@jamesbeecher4431]

This was very interesting. But may I suggest a slight addition to the water damage test? - first, use a caliper to measure the diameter if the wood at the same time frames and then give the wood a couple of days to dry and then measure again. This will show the delamination of the edges damaged by water. - second, perform another nail pull test on the water saturated edges of the panels. Both when wet and after given the time to dry. Do this pull test near the edge since this is where the panels will be nailed to the rafters. - second PLUSS, knowing that material is nailed along it's edges to secure it to the rafters, put a nail half way through the panel within the nailing area (~0.5") along the edge. THEN try to pull the nail horizontally through the wood. As the nail would go if the wood i pulled into the span to see what the rip out strength is.

[@kaAndres]

I 100% agree with the results but disagree with the Superiority of the OSB! Here in the Philippines, the primary feature that we need is the Pull-Out rating because we have many Strong Typhoons that can fly our roofs. Second, we can just buy a very cheap "WATERPROOF" Underlayment in between a standing seam roof and a 3/4 Marine plywood.

[@shopart1488]

Your results are exactly as I would have expected. And that’s why my home is OSB. I mainly used it re the water retention and rot potential. It was also nice to save about $300 in cost.

[@martinm.8343]

This was a good comparison, I absolutely do not think you're wrong. I resheathed my entire roof with 19/32 OSB and I don't regret it. Thanks for this great comparison, I've learned so much from this channel alone that I wouldn't have been able to replace my roof by myself without the Roof Repair Specialist. You saved me about $20,000. I owe you!!!!

[@slydog7131]

Very interesting. But, what kind of plywood were you testing? Standard plywood is not meant for any kind of exterior use. CDX plywood can be used for walls and roofs, but still is not appropriate for longer-term exposure to moisture. Exterior plywood is appropriate for continued moisture exposure. If you see plywood roofs delaminating, that might be regular plywood or even CDX, but it wasn't likely exterior-grade plywood. CDX plywood does not absorb water as readily as regular plywood, and exterior plywood does not absorb water easily, likely less than OSB but I don't know for sure. It also dries faster than OSB. OSB is prone to edge swelling with repeated cycles of wetting and drying and more so than any of the plywoods. So the question is: how bullet-proof do you want the roof deck to be or how bullet-proof does it need to be? If you don't want to worry about absorption by the roof deck, delamination or termite damage, then exterior plywood is the way to go. It is a one-and-done solution. CDX will help if there is rain before the shingles are applied, but it will not hold up to long-term moisture exposure. OSB wets more slowly but also dries more slowly. It is also prone to edge swelling. OSB is most cost effective, is certainly better than standard plywood and perhaps also better than CDX. Exterior plywood will last long-term without delamination, but it is more expensive, though if it saves you from replacing the decking later, it is more economical. It's always about tradeoffs. Exterior plywood can't be in direct contact with aluminum, so best to use I&W shield between them. Also hot-dipped galvanized or stainless-steel fasteners should be used. Exterior plywood is also immune to termite damage. It is twice the price of OSB, but on a recent roofing estimate, the cost of replacing decking would be $50 per sheet plus the cost of the material. For all the videos of degraded, delaminated, rotten roof decks I've seen, it might be worth it to use exterior-grade plywood.

[@larrybell5144]

This is an outstanding group of tests that show the strengths of each type of wood choice. I was surprised and educated. Thank you for always impressing me with your practical knowledge and experience.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

thank you for your support!

[@adelaceballos3902]

Thanks!!.........this helped a lot !

[@originalfallinggirl]

I love this channel! Just subbed! Thanks so much 🙏

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Awesome, thank you!

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

Outdoor rated plywood is better because OSB will weaken and come apart if rained on before applying shingles. If the plywood gets wet before shingling, no big deal. Just wait until it dries out on sunny day, and apply shingles.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Outdoor rated plywood? Is that pressure treated?

[@MaMa-qh4dy]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist Exterior grade plywood

[@slydog7131]

@@RoofRepairSpecialist Hmm... that's a good point. Was the plywood you tested exterior-grade as required by most codes, I think?

[@OnlineAutoRepairVideos]

Agree, the plywood will dry out faster and retain it's shape once it had dried, but the OBS will swell (especially at the ends), and will never go back. It mainly comes down to how well your underlayment can protect the wood.

[@slydog7131]

@@OnlineAutoRepairVideos I have never understood how underlayment can protect the deck given that it is penetrated by about 250 nails per square, and every penetration can leak.

[@kaAndres]

I 100% agree with the results but disagree with the Superiority of the OSB to be used for roof deck! Here in the Philippines, the primary feature that we need is the Pull-Out rating because we have many Strong Typhoons that can fly our roofs. Second, we can just buy a very cheap "WATERPROOF" Underlayment in between a standing seam roof and a 3/4 Marine plywood.

[@mrmoorey]

Thanks for this. I have OSB on my shed roof and there's been some slight water damage at the drip edge. Your tests help me understand what I need to do when I repair my roof.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Great to hear!

[@bhyydy6353]

This may not be relevant but there have been cases when balcony supported by engineered wood collapsed. The reason is when engineered wood get wet the water is trapped and can't dry out, which eventually leads to rotten wood.

[@jamescurrie2246]

I already knew these properites of OSB and plywood but I just had to see if this guy falls. Thanks for the demonstrations. 😅

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

You bet!

[@berrypainter]

The osb swelled up in the water. It also turns to mush and eventually delaminates.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

I agree, it just doesn’t delaminate the entire sheet

[@paumang4811]

Agree

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Thanks

[@user-su4ot2gc3k]

Thank you so much for showing me the video it really helped me choose which one I'm going to use

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

No problem 😊

[@shock80ey]

How thick was the plywood OSB you tested. I didn’t catch that anywhere…

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

1/2 actually 15/32

[@abacab87]

Most of these aren't real world scenarios. Maybe nail plywood over a wall and measure how much pressure it takes to break, but really only relevent for the roof. The plywood should be tested to see how long it takes to disintegrate, but again only good to know for how long it can last before you need to repair it-if you have a water problem it needs to be fixed sooner rather than later. Is that 1/2" plywood true 1/2" or is it 7/16? Down south they call the 7/16 plywood 1/2 inch, and you can't even buy the 1/2 inch down at the box store. Also, just because plywood holds nails better, doesn't mean it's necessary. I've never had a shingle blow off in 35 years, and when I see roofs that do, it's because someone blew right through the shingles with the nail gun.

[@billmiller172]

Osb is cheaper and cheaper to make so making money for manufacturers

[@dougdiplacido2406]

I think osb is stronger. I always paint my sub floor as soon as i put it down to keep the weather from affecting it. I only use 5/8 inch on roofs.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

OSB is highly flammable and weak, off gases more, and dimensionally unstable when it gets wet. It’s the worst thing ever for building homes.

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

Worst thing ever?

[@Bronco2Cj]

I love how when plywood wins a round, you nullify it and downplay its win, but when OSB loses, you nullify it and downplay the loss.. just admit you're a OSB fanboy... You keep finding excuses to let the fat kid win the race on foot against the skinnier faster kid... I don't see how OSB is superior to plywood period... There are 2 WaWa gas stations being built in my area and the sheathing around the building as well as the sheathing/roof decking is all plywood... and its plywood for a reason(s)

[@RoofRepairSpecialist]

I agree, wouldn’t say I’m a fan boy, but I do lean towards OSB.