Oriented Strand Board or OSB is a great replacement for plywood. OSB is thicker and thus stronger than plywood. You can use it for flooring, roof decking, sheathing in walls or even making furniture. OSB is made by mixing resin with strands of young wood. This makes the board hard. The manufacturers waterproof the board before selling. However, you may still need to waterproof it before making your furniture or other things to provide additional moisture protection and ensure its durability. This is especially important for outdoor applications of OSB. Here we will discuss how to make OSB waterproof.
Main steps how to make OSB waterproof
You can make OSB waterproof quite easily. When you buy the OSB make sure that you have the ‘waterproof’ mark at the back. This will make your task of additional waterproofing easier. Here are the steps you should follow:
- Plan before you cut your pieces. When you cut the sealer at the edges disappears and opens up a new place. So, moisture may get absorbed there. So, cut the OSB into pieces before waterproofing so that no water gets trapped inside. Keep the cut pieces in a safe place so that dirt or grass cannot get in the way.
- You can paint OSB if you want to add to the water-resistant. If you decide to paint it then it must be done before waterproofing so that the paint is also protected from moisture or water. You can use either oil-based or latex-based paints.
- Then you should apply waterproofing. You can purchase good-quality waterproofing solutions from the local hardware store. Make sure that the waterproofing solution you buy is appropriate for use in wood. You just need to use a paintbrush to apply the waterproofing coat on the OSB pieces. Repeat applying it on each side. It will take about 12 to 14 hours for the waterproofing to dry.
- To ensure that the OSB is waterproof pour some water on the OSB piece and wait for a few hours. If the water is not soaked then the OSB pieces are now waterproof.
Differences in the use of OSB inside and outside
OSB can be used for outside applications. However, those OSB boards are classified as class 3 and they are appropriate for use in humid conditions. Even if you buy OSB that is waterproof from the market, you should apply an additional layer of waterproofing for protecting the board from moisture or water. OSB that is used for indoor use has phenol-formaldehyde or methyl diphenyl diisocyanate binders to avoid health hazards. It is not necessary to waterproof the OSB board again after buying a waterproof OSB board.
OSB is more water-resistant than plywood. So, OSB can be used for both indoor and outdoor projects. Make sure that you know how to make OSB board waterproof to add barrier against moisture or water.
