#Lp topnotch 250 code

After the forming process is complete, the formed panel is hot pressed to form the panel's final thickness. During the forming process, the resins and other additives are added to the mats. OSB panels are typically made up of three to five mat layers. Additional mats are then created by placing new wafers in opposing directions to give the panel its structural rigidity. The final moisture content must compensate for the addition of the bonding resins and any other agents that the manufacturer adds to the mix.Īs part of the forming process, the wafers are directed to a mat former where the wafers are laid in one direction to form the first face of the panel. The cut wafers are then dried to obtain an optimum moisture content that may vary by manufacturer (often as low as 6%). The size and shape of these wafer strands depends on the waferizer the manufacturer uses and will have some variation in shape due to the process. When the felled trees arrive at the manufacturing plant, the trees are fed into a waferizer that cuts the trees into strands of wood. OSB panels can be produced from both barked and debarked trees. The typical OSB manufacturing process begins with the harvesting of smaller diameter trees than those typically selected for dimensional lumber. OSB is a structural wood sheathing panel that is primarily made up of hardwoods (aspen, birch and popular) and softwoods (lodgepole pine and southern pine) that are combined with synthetic resin, liquid wax and other additives.

#Lp topnotch 250 code

While the International Building Code defines both OSB and plywood as “wood structural panels” and the American Plywood Association (APA) describes them to be structurally equal, it is important to understand that each product is manufactured differently and therefore perform better under varying circumstances. However, like anything else, it always comes down to using the right tools for the right job.

Today, we are here to shed some light on the subject!įirst and foremost, we will start by stating that OSB and plywood are both great products.

Being building consultants, many of our Builder Partners have asked us if they should use OSB or plywood on their jobs or if this OSB “epidemic” has yet been re-mediated. Over the years, however, a negative stigma has developed in association with OSB, as builders have reported the sheathing to swell, lose structural strength and even develop bio-organic growth (BOG) when exposed to moisture. The reason? OSB sheathing is typically considered to be more economical than plywood. Oriented Strand Board (OSB) was introduced to the building industry in the late 1970s and quickly became the sheathing material of choice for North American home builders in place of plywood. By: Mark Crawford - Level 4 Field Consultant & Jeff Hoch - Architect/FC