KEY POINTS:
- Consistently strong yet light
- Extra high rigidity
- No distortion, splitting and de-lamination
- Good durability
- Reliable in all conditions*
- Will take the weight in both dry and humid areas*
- Easy to saw, drill, plane, rout, sand, paint, glue and stain
- Nail or screw near the edge without splitting
- No knots, voids or weak spots
- A range of products available
- Ecologically approved by the FSC
- Recyclable
*OSB3 is recommended for humid areas.
Why buy OSB instead of Ply? Well, let's get the facts on the table then you can ask yourself "why wouldn't you want to?"
Save money
OSB will save you money - panel for panel on like for like criteria. And using OSB compared to ply will cost less - so why wouldn't you want to make more money on each josb?
Sleep easy at night
OSB is certified and guaranteed to perform - every British Isles and Irish panel carries superb credentials (CE, BBA and BSN*) which means peace of mind with every job, time and time again. It means that you can sleep easy knowing that it's right for the structural work that building regulations demand - check if the ply you use carries the same or equivalent credentials. Or, better still, stick to using OSB and avoid any risk and doubt.
Have a clear conscience
OSB is made from home grown, sustainably managed sources. Every panel you purchase that has been produced in the UK or Ireland meets the strict code set down by the FSC so you have a 100% guarantee that rain forests have not been raided or clear felled.
Guaranteed availability
OSB is available now from your local stockist, so not only consistent in quality but also in supply.
OSB is not as easy to work with.
Fact - Because OSB's a precision engineered panel it can be sawn, drilled, planed, routed and sanded. It doesn't split no matter how close to the edge you are working. You won't find voids and there are no knots to deal with.
Myth - OSB is like chipboard.
Fact - No it's not. It differs from chipboard in many ways. OSB has a unique manufacturing process and can be used in many applications where chipboard is inappropriate. For example, OSBspecialist structural qualities means it's closer to plywood than chipboard.
Myth - OSB is not as attractive.
Fact - Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Generally OSB's applications means that it's out of sight at the end of a project. However OSB is increasingly being specified by interior designers to be used 'naturally' purely because it has an interesting surface and texture, good colour and is incredibly versatile to work with.
Myth - OSB won't last.
Fact - The technical results speak for themselves - OSB really is here to stay.
