OSB boards: 8 gross installation mistakes that lead to the destruction of the material

Very often OSB is used in repair and construction. Someone calls OSB. These boards are an excellent alternative to chipboard, fiberboard, plywood. The price is much lower.

Installation is not difficult, but some make gross mistakes, which leads to damage, destruction.

OSB it happens 4 main types. The first one: universal boards for dry rooms. The second is for outdoor work and load-bearing structures. The third is load-bearing and is designed for dry rooms. The latter type of slabs is treated with moisture-resistant compounds and is used for wet rooms and external work.

1. The first mistake when using OSB is not choosing the right material for specific work.

2. Someone immediately takes up the installation after bringing the material from the store. So that the plates do not go in waves and the surface does not swell, hold the OSB for several days (about 2-3) in the room where the installation will be carried out.

3. A common mistake is installing OSB without a gap. It is impossible to fix the boards close to each other without an expansion gap.

Plates can deform under the influence of air humidity and temperature changes. It is recommended to leave between sheets of 3 mm or more. And near the walls you need to make at least 10 mm. It is not recommended to close the seams.

4. It is impossible to keep open plates for a long time (without processing). Direct sunlight tends to break down the plates. Fungus and mold may develop.

5. If you fix the siding without lathing, then you need to check the strength of the OSB. Press down on the material with a simple wrench or other metal object. If the key enters the slab and leaves a deep dent, the slabs are very poorly compressed. It is not worth attaching siding to such slabs.

6. The lack of protective treatment of the material for siding is also a mistake. Loss of quality, rotting of the slabs occurs due to the lack of a protective coating, installation without lathing and without waterproofing.

7. Special fasteners for outdoor use. Many builders do not recommend using metal screws. Such fasteners do not support the large weight of the slabs. Long nails work better (higher shear strength).

8. If the plates are installed on the floor, ceiling, then galvanized self-tapping screws with double threads are good. By the way, when laying horizontally, it is advised to lay the material with the smooth side down (relevant for ceiling structures, roofs).

This further facilitates the application of protective or decorative compounds. For a rough or finished floor, place a smooth surface at the top.