Menu
Inspiration4 min
OSB vs. Plywood
In the battle for market share, a 10% advantage is considered significant. For example, Lexus has about a 10% greater market share than Infiniti in the luxury car market. But that percentage pales in comparison with the drubbing that plywood takes from oriented strand board, where OSB has at least 75% of the market compared to plywood’s 25%.
Here are some of the reasons why OSB has a commanding lead in U.S. homebuilding:
Price
The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) estimates that for a typical 2400-square foot home, OSB costs $700 less than plywood.
Quality
While plywood may be 7 plies thick, a sheet of OSB is made from up to 50 strand layers packed and compressed into the same thickness. That’s why OSB panels don’t have the knotholes and core voids that plywood panels do.
Convenience
OSB panels can be manufactured in lengths up to 16 feet (and occasionally higher), while plywood is limited to the 8- to 10-foot range. OSB can also be bought in nine-foot sheets, so builders can sheath a wall from the top plate to the bottom of the floor joists with single, vertical sheets that don’t leave horizontal seams.
Sustainability
OSB is made from small-diameter trees that can be farmed. In contrast, plywood production requires large-diameter trees from old-growth forests.
In these four major categories, it’s no contest. OSB wins in a landslide – and it’s been that way for nearly 20 years. That’s about as dominant a performance as you’ll see in any American industry.
To learn more about all of LP’s OSB products, go to: https://lpcorp.com/products/panels-sheathing
Continue Reading
Business Solutions
4 minQ&A: How Home Orientation Impacts Continuous Insulation
There’s a lot to consider when it comes to building an energy-efficient home for your clients and the many nuances that change with each build—including its orientation to the sun.
Continue ReadingResiliency Solutions
5 minHOW A RADIANT BARRIER CAN IMPROVE BURIED DUCT PERFORMANCE
There are several insulation methods based on attic design, but ducts placed over the bottom of truss chords and buried under insulation in a vented attic is a popular builder option.
Sustainability Solutions
8 minHow to Drive Effective Communication and Collaboration on the Jobsite
Every jobsite has a ton of moving parts, from product shipments, supplies, and schedules to subcontractors and homeowners. It’s no wonder that many project teams can struggle to maintain quality jobsite communication and collaboration throughout the building process.
Sustainability Solutions
6 minCarbon Negative, Future Positive: LP® Structural Solutions Portfolio Releases Environmental Product Declarations
In an era where environmental responsibility is paramount, we are proud to announce a remarkable achievement: the LP® Structural Solutions portfolio has been officially designated as carbon negative. This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to redefining construction materials for the better with a focus on sustainability, resiliency and groundbreaking advancements.