OSB Sub-Floor vs. Plywood Sub-Floor for Two Story House?

Question

which one is better to use if builder A is using 1 and 1/8 " thick OSB Flooring vs. the builder B is using 3/4 " plywood flooring. Please answer our question ASAP because we have to decide which builder to sign a contract. Thank you very much for your response.

Answer 1

I just re-(sub)floored my entire house with 3/4" plywood.

OSB, while cheap, does not handle moisture very well at all. In fact, that is why I has to replace my floor. There was a roof leak and it affected nearly my entire floor because OSB tends to act like a sponge. This is probably why buider A is going with 1 1/8" material, to make up for lack of durability over time.

Here is some info on OSB:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriented_strand_board

Personally, I'd go with plywood. It has been tried and true and will stand up better to the test of time. In this case, builder A seems to be trying to make up for the lack of performance, but there may be extra cost involved with the heavier material.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Osb Subfloor Vs Plywood

Answer 3

Plywood is more dimensionally stable as each layer is 90 degrees rotated from previous grain. This will mean fewer floor squeaks. For it size, plywood is also stronger.
OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is made from wood scraps and not particularly good pieces of wood at that. It is then slathered in epoxy resin binder, smashed flat and subjected to heat to cure.
Do not get me wrong, OSB has a place in the building industry. It is a cost effective alternative in some applications, you just have to know your product and what its intended use is.
If you intend to put hardwood flooring as your finished floor, go with plywood. If it is carpet, OSB might be a less costly way to go.
Personally, I would always use plywood

Answer 4

Go with the plywood. OSB is the cheap alternative and if it gets wet, it falls apart. My brother had it in his kitchen. The glue from the linoleum reacted with the OSB and the whole floor became wavy. What a mess.

Answer 5

You will have to bleach the heck out of it let it dry and do it again. Also, there is this product that you then can paint over the plywood. Sad thing is that you can rid the smell but, if you have pets the chances are high that they may begin to pee in the same spot if you lay carpet down. If you have pets I wouldn't mess around with bleaching the plywood - is there any way you can just remove that section?

Answer 6

http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/OSB_subfloor_w_38ths_inch_plywood-Floor_and_Tile-1-T1446.html

The link above is from Bob Vila, regarding the use of OSB as a sub-floor. But he DOES mention that EVERY TYPE of sub-floor should be a minimum 1 1/8" thick.

If it was my house I would want the strongest product possible used.

Answer 7

osb is cheaper, but plywood is stronger. unless you are strapped, B is the best way to go.

Answer 8

Go with the plywood .Im a contractor and I do this everyday