Osb is stronger than plywood in shear. Shear values, through its thickness, are about 2 times greater than plywood. This is one of the reasons osb is used for webs of wooden I-joists. However, nail-holding ability controls performance in shear wall applications.

Whether you are building, remodeling, or just doing some repairs, many times you need a type of sheathing or underlayment for the project. Numerous choices are available for this purpose, but the two most commonly used products are oriented strand board (OSB) and PLYWOOD. Both boards are made of wood with glues and resins, come in many sizes, and can be used for a variety of purposes. But each one is not necessarily right for every project. We outline the differences between them below so that you can make a more informed decision about which one will work for your project.

How They Are Made

OSB and plywood are formed from smaller pieces of wood and come in large sheets or panels. That, however, is where the similarities end. Plywood is made of many layers of very thin wood, called plys, pressed together with glue. It may be given a veneer  top of hardwood, while the inner layers are typically made of softwood.

OSB is made of many smaller pieces of hardwood and softwood mixed together in strands. Because the pieces are smaller, the sheets of OSB can be much larger than sheets of plywood. While plywood is often 6 feet per sheet, OSB may be much larger, up to 12 feet per sheet.

Appearance

Plywood can have many different styles and appearances. The top layer is usually a hardwood and may be any number of woods such as birch, beech, or maple. This means that the sheet of plywood takes on the appearance of the top wood. Plywood made this way is designed for building cabinets, shelves, and other items where the wood is visible.

Plywood may also be made out of less-quality softwoods for its top layer. In this case, it may have knots or a rough surface. This plywood is generally used beneath the finished material, such as tile or siding.

OSB does not usually have a top veneer . It is made of many strands or smaller pieces of wood pressed together, which gives it a rougher texture. OSB is not used for finished surfaces because it cannot handle a paint or stain the way that hardwood plywood can. Therefore, it is generally installed beneath a finish material, such as siding.

Judge which kind of plywood you need according to your actual situation. All kinds of plywood are produced by changsong wood with high quality. You are welcome to order.