6 best OSB boards

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

OSB boards are made from flat chips bonded with various resins, synthetic wax and boric acid. The material consists of 3-4 layers, pressed by pressure when the raw material is heated. To increase the strength of the panels, the layers are alternated longitudinally and transversely. Due to the large flat fractions, the sheets look less attractive than MDF, but are cheaper. We have prepared a rating of the best OSB boards, which will show the clear advantages and features of popular products. To make the TOP-6, our experts analyzed the characteristics of the panels and customer reviews, so the information will help narrow the search and immediately purchase the best product.

Rating of the best OSB boards

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best OSB boards	1	Kronospan OSB-3 12202440mm 9mm	483 r
	2	Isoplat thorn-groove on 4 sides 1800x600x50 mm	RUB 1,499
	3	Glunz 1250x2500x22mm	RUB 2 450
	4	Kronospan 1220х2440х15 mm	RUB 931
	5	OSB-3 Kalevala 2500х1250х9 mm	527 r
	6	Ultralam 1250х2500х12 mm	747 RUB

Kronospan OSB-3 12202440mm 9mm

Rating: 5.0

The first place in the rating is occupied by OSB board, produced in Russia, but under the license of a European manufacturer. The panel is designed for low-rise buildings and has a standard height of 2.44 m, filling the floor-to-ceiling distance in most homes. According to the environmental class, the product belongs to E1 and is completely safe for children's rooms. OSB panel has stable dimensions and uniform color. Masters in reviews praise the product for its smooth and rough sides, making it convenient to pull the material over the surface (less resistance) and safely walk from above (for example, on a roof, which subsequently needs to be covered with roofing material or tiles). The vapor-permeable structure of the slab ensures the removal of moisture from the room.

We have brought the OSB board from this manufacturer to the rating due to the use of Canadian technology in the manufacture. This provides a high bond strength to the chips and gives the wood a grayish color. If you process OSB with transparent varnish, then it will get a decent look and can serve as a decorative decoration of the walls of the room without additional materials.

Advantages

• homogeneous end structure;
• belongs to the 3rd class, suitable for high humidity;
• one side is rough, which increases safety when installing on the roof;
• attractive price;
• vapor permeability.

disadvantages

• only suitable for non-stressed structures;
• when sheathing the roof, frequent lathing with a step of 30 cm will be required;
• weak rigidity due to the thin section.

Isoplat thorn-groove on 4 sides 1800x600x50 mm

Rating: 4.9

The second place in the rating is occupied by a slab slightly smaller than the leader, but with a thicker section of 5 cm. OSB is capable of performing the role of a load-bearing structure and requires insignificant sheathing partitions with a pitch of 55 cm. The density of the material is 230 kg / m³. Builders in reviews praise the product for sound absorption of 22-54 dB. Well OSB board also prevents heat transfer due to a thermal conductivity of 0.049 W / mK, which is equivalent to glass wool. The porous structure of OSB allows building structures to participate in moisture regulation. One slab can cover an area of ​​1.08 m², which simplifies the calculation for the purchase.

Our experts have included the OSB board in the rating as the best for fixing. Thanks to the presence of spikes and grooves on each side, the panels can be easily connected together without the formation of 'cold bridges'. This increases the heat and sound insulation characteristics. Even thanks to the thickness of 5 cm, the OSB slab is universal for the construction of any part of the house: flat and sloping roofs, exterior walls for plastering, interfloor floors, floors over concrete screed.

Advantages

• prevents the formation of condensation;
• prevents the appearance of 'cold bridges';
• keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter;
• does not cause allergic reactions.

disadvantages

• high price;
• trimming is inevitable, depriving one of the sides of the connecting element;
• each slab weighs 12 kg – more difficult to install on the roof or second floor.

Glunz 1250x2500x22mm

Rating: 4.8

The third place in the rating of the best was taken by the plate from the German manufacturer Glunz. OSB is available with dimensions 1.25×2.5 m and a section of 2.2 cm. It can be installed as a load-bearing floor or ceiling. According to the emission class, it belongs to E1 and is completely safe for residents. If you buy in bulk for large-scale construction, then pallets are provided with a capacity of 44 pcs. The OSB plate is cut with a saw blade on a grinder, a manual circular and even a jigsaw. If the sheets are attached to the walls at the stage of the rough floor, then the slabs, 2.5 m high, just stand between the ceiling and the floor. But users in the reviews warn that when installing panels on walls with the floor laid, you will have to cut the end by 1-2 cm.

According to our experts, OSB has earned a place in the ranking of the best due to its increased moisture resistance. The structure of the leaf includes wood chips impregnated with paraffin, which improves resistance to water absorption and swelling. This is the best option for finishing the ceiling or walls of the bathroom and kitchen of a private house.

Advantages

• German quality;
• one sheet covers at once 3 m² of area;
• suitable for supporting structures;
• without harmful additives.

disadvantages

• most often sold in bulk from 20 sheets;
• high price;
• there are large chips in the outer structure that spoil the look.

Kronospan 1220х2440х15 mm

Rating: 4.7

The fourth place of our rating is again occupied by a product from a Latvian brand, produced at production facilities in Russia (Mogilev). The sheet thickness is 15 mm. OSB is made entirely from softwood and has a pleasant smell. The height of the slab is suitable for wall cladding after the final floor has been laid and does not need to be trimmed. In the production of OSB, the material is pressed so much that it acquires a density of 585 kg / m³. The stove has a third class of moisture resistance, so installation in a bathroom or kitchen is permissible. To break an OSB board in half, a force of 20 MPa is required, and this cannot be reproduced by hand. The panel is suitable not only for interior decoration, but also for outdoor work, which customers like in reviews.

Our experts have included the board in the rating of the best OSB due to the special smoothness of the Super Finish front surface, which allows it to be opened with a transparent varnish and not treated with anything else. This is a ready-made material for finishing walls and ceilings in frame construction. A cross-section of 1.5 cm can withstand forces up to 3500 MPa, so the panels can carry not only a decorative function, but maintain the shape of the floor under the linoleum.

Advantages

• suitable for indoor and outdoor use;
• modulus of elasticity along the main axis 3500 MPa;
• smooth, polished surface of the front side;
• high material density 585 km / m³.

disadvantages

• plate weight 26 kg;
• weak sound insulation 0.3-23 dB;
• increased thermal conductivity – 0.1 W / mK.

OSB-3 Kalevala 2500х1250х9 mm

Rating: 4.6

We gave the fifth place in the rating to OSB boards from a Russian manufacturer that has domestic and international (EN-300) certificates. He produces OSB with non-sanded sides, so additional decoration will be required for interior decoration. But in terms of elasticity, the product is significantly superior to competitors. A special pressing technology does not allow chips to delaminate even with significant surface bending. The masters share in the reviews, then the sheets are easily drilled, sawn and polished. The OSB surface is allowed to be painted and varnished, which expands the options for using the boards.

The experts liked the product with its increased density of 650-700 kg / m³. This is due to the use of wood that grows in the harsh northern conditions of Karelia. Local wood chips are much stronger than European pine. The resilience and elasticity of the sheets is provided by a 10% content of synthetic resins that increase moisture resistance. This OSB is optimal for the production of high-quality packaging for the transportation of fragile goods.

Advantages

• maintains stable dimensions;
• OSB waterproof;
• 90% wood;
• the formaldehyde content corresponds to the E1 class.

disadvantages

• there are inclusions of black chips in the structure, which spoils the view;
• a section of 9 mm needs frequent lathing of 30 cm;
• rough, not sanded surface;
• the weight of each plate is 20 kg.

Ultralam 1250х2500х12 mm

Rating: 4.5

The sixth place in the rating is taken by the OSB board from the manufacturer Ultralam. Construction sheets are characterized by a uniform structure and a unique surface pattern. The laid fibers along the length of the slab and the transverse inner layer are much stronger than ordinary wood with multidirectional veins. OSB of this type can be used in humid environments. Due to its high density, the product belongs to the low-flammable class. Buyers in reviews note the high retention capacity of fasteners (screws, nails) in the material. The slab is not prone to cracks and chips, since it has no voids at all.

The experts added the OSB rating for improved environmental friendliness. Unlike TOP competitors, the emission class of free formaldehyde here is 0.5, versus 1.0 for other products. The main raw materials for the production of OSB are birch, aspen and alder. And the bonding strength of the chips is achieved by high temperature and low resin content. It is the best OSB for decorating bedrooms or making furniture frames.

Advantages

• 3rd class of moisture resistance;
• suitable for load bearing structures;
• increased environmental friendliness;
• resistance to decay.

disadvantages

• slab weight of 25 kg is inconvenient for lifting onto the roof;
• low sound absorption;
• the edge crumbles when cutting with a jigsaw.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.