All about the thickness of OSB boards

OSB - oriented strand board - has reliably entered the construction practice. These panels differ markedly from other compressed panels by their large inclusion of wood shavings. Good operational properties are provided by a special manufacturing technology: each board consists of several layers ("carpets") with chips and wood fibers of different orientations, impregnated with artificial resins and pressed into a single mass.

OSB boards differ from traditional wood-shaving materials not only in appearance. They are characterized by:

• high strength (according to GOST R 56309-2014 ultimate bending strength along the main axis is from 16 MPa to 20 MPa);

• relative lightness (density is comparable to natural wood - 650 kg / m3);

• good manufacturability (easy to cut and drill in different directions due to the homogeneous structure);

• resistance to moisture, rot, insects;

• low cost (due to the use of low-quality wood as raw materials).

All manufactured panels are divided into 4 types according to their physical and mechanical characteristics and their operating conditions (GOST 56309 - 2014, p. 4.2). OSB-1 and OSB-2 boards are recommended exclusively for conditions of low and normal humidity. For loaded structures that will operate in wet conditions, the standard prescribes to opt for OSB-3 or OSB-4.

On the territory of the Russian Federation, the national standard GOST R 56309-2014 is in force, which regulates the technical conditions for the production of OSB. In general terms, it is consistent with the similar document EN 300: 2006 adopted in Europe. GOST establishes the minimum thickness of the thinnest slab at 6 mm, the maximum - 40 mm in increments of 1 mm.

In practice, consumers prefer panels with a nominal thickness of 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 21 millimeters.

The same GOST establishes that the length and width of OSB sheets can be from 1200 mm or more with a step of 10 mm.

In addition to Russian, European and Canadian firms are represented on the domestic market.

Kalevala is a leading domestic panel manufacturer (Karelia, Petrozavodsk). Sizes of sheets produced here: 2500 × 1250, 2440 × 1220, 2800 × 1250 mm.

Talion (Tver region, the city of Torzhok) is the second Russian firm. It produces sheets of 610 × 2485, 2500 × 1250, 2440 × 1220 mm.

OSB panels are produced under the brands of Austrian companies Kronospan and Egger in different countries. Sheet sizes: 2500 × 1250 and 2800 × 1250 mm.

The Latvian firm Bolderaja, like the German Glunz, makes OSB boards of 2500 × 1250 mm.

North American manufacturers work to their own standards. So, Norbord slabs have a length and width of 2440 and 1220 mm, respectively.

For pitched roofs, shingles are often used. Such materials for soft roofing need to create a solid, even base, which OSB boards successfully provide. General recommendations for their choice are dictated by considerations of economy and manufacturability.

Since during the assembly of the roof, the slabs, with a high degree of probability, can fall under precipitation, and leaks are not excluded during the operation of the building, it is recommended to choose the last two types of slabs.

The set of rules SP 17.13330.2011 (Table 7) regulates that when OSB-plates are used as a base for shingles, it is necessary to construct a continuous flooring. The thickness of the slab is selected depending on the pitch of the rafters:

Edge processing is important. Plates are produced both with flat edges and with grooves and ridges (two- and four-sided), the use of which makes it possible to obtain a surface with practically no gaps, which ensures an even distribution of the load in the structure.

During the assembly of the roof, it is recommended to take into account that the slabs are usually placed along the rafters on the short side, with one panel covering three spans. It is important to ensure that the slabs are attached directly to the trusses with a gap to compensate for moisture deformation.

In order to minimize the amount of work on adjusting the sheets, it is recommended to use sheets with a size of 2500x1250 or 2400x1200. Experienced builders, when developing a design drawing and installing a roof, assemble a rafter structure, taking into account the dimensions of the selected OSB sheet.