O R I E N T E D S T R A N D B OA R D

PERFORMANCE BY DESIGN
TM

F L O O R S H E AT H I N G

OSB: A Flooring Panel

That Stands On Its Own.
Every Oriented Strand Board (OSB) flooring
panel is engineered to perform. And that
means dependability and uniformity on your
next building project – from start to finish.

THE OSB ADVANTAGE.

OSB panels are extra stiff and flat, making for
easy and quick installation of subfloors and
single-layer floors. Manufactured tongue-and-
groove, square-edged, or touch-sanded, OSB
provides resilience and strength for a variety
of demanding applications. Panels are engi-
neered for standard floor joist spacing and load
requirements.
And OSB’s
OSB floors provide an extra rigid platform.
dependability won’t
leave you fighting are comparable to plywood in terms of nail holding
warps, buckles, delami- ability. Commonly available in 4' x 8' panels, OSB
nation, core voids, or subflooring also comes in a full range of thicknesses
knotholes. So every up to 11⁄8".
floor is a foundation to
build upon. OSB SINGLE-LAYER FLOORS.
Install it and be done. That’s the advantage of OSB
OSB SUBFLOORS.
single-layer flooring – it serves as both subflooring
An excellent choice and underlayment. This labor-saving panel is
Engineered wood I-joists and OSB for subfloors, OSB is designed for use under pad and carpet or lightweight
subflooring. installed over joists to
concrete. Properly installed, OSB single-layer floor
provide a working platform and base for underlay- systems can reduce squeaking and nail withdrawal.
ment and finished flooring such as carpet, vinyl, Most OSB single-layer floors are manufactured with
tiles, or hardwood. Recent studies show that 3/4" tongue-and-groove edges for a snug, reliable fit.
OSB subfloors, when used under hardwood flooring,

®
Structural Board Association
Representing the OSB Industry
GRADES & RATINGS
OSB is manufactured to meet the Exposure 1 such as areas with seismic activity. Design values are
durability classification, which means panels are now available for OSB. Contact the Structural Board
appropriate for use where construction delays may be Association for more information.
encountered. As with all wood products, care should
be taken to protect floor panels from excess moisture. ENHANCED FLOOR PERFORMANCE
For enhanced floor performance, OSB panels may be
OSB is manufactured to meet the performance field glued and nailed or screwed to the floor support
requirements of the voluntary product standard system. Glue should also be applied to the T&G joint
PS2-92 Wood Based Structural Use Panels, CSA 0325 system. The adhesive shall be applied in accordance
Construction Sheathing (and/or CSA 0437 OSB and with the adhesive manufacturer’s instruction. For
Waferboard). OSB is certified to meet these standards increased floor performance or an engineered floor
by APA – The Engineered Wood Association, system, SBA recommends combining I-joists with
TECO/PFS, PSI, or other major wood certification panels with a greater span rating. For detailed
organizations. Structural 1 panels are for use where information on these methods, contact the Structural
shear and cross-panel strength are extra important, Board Association.
DESIGN CRITERIA FOR FLOOR CONSTRUCTION (Minimum Panel Width – 24")
Allowable Uniform Floor Loads for Rated OSB Sheathing Panels with Long Dimension Across Supports.
1
Panels are continuous over two or more spans and installed with
Allowable Loads
the long panel dimension perpendicular to supports.
Panel Panel Maximum (Pounds per square foot) 2
Uniform live load deflection limitation: 1/360 of the span.
Span Thickness Span Maximum Maximum
Rating (Inch) (Inches) Live Load Dead Load
3
Edges must have tongue-and-groove joints or must be supported
with blocking.
16 oc 7/16, 19/32 16 100 10 4
Panels in a given thickness may be manufactured in more than
20 oc 19/32, 5/8 20 100 10 one span rating. Panels with a span rating greater than the actual
24 oc 23/32, 3/4 24 100 10 joist spacing may be substituted for panels of the same thickness
32 oc 7/8, 1 32 100 10 with a span rating matching the actual joist spacing.
5
Check local building codes for minimum fastening schedule.
48 oc 1-1/8 48 55 10
(1 psf = 0.048 kPa)
Combination Subfloor-Underlayment
SPAN RATINGS (Single Floor Grades)
Subfloors
Maximum
Maximum Joist Spacing Span Rating Common Thicknesses
Joist Spacing Span Ratings Common Thicknesses 20" 20 oc 19/32", 5/8" (1) (2)
24/16 7/16", 15/32", 1/2" 24" 24 oc 23/32", 3/4" (3)
16"
32/16 15/32", 1/2" 32" 32 oc 7/8", 1"
20" 32/20 19/32", 5/8" 48" 48 oc 1-1/8"
40/20 19/32", 5/8"
40/24 23/32", 3/4" (3)
24"
48/24 23/32", 3/4" (3) Remember
32/16 (1) 15/32", 1/2"
40/20 (2) 19/32", 5/8"
Space panels according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Requirements for floor sheathing may vary throughout the
32" N/A
country. Check with the local building authority for any
(1)
acceptable under 3/4" wood strip flooring installed at right angles to joists special requirements.
(2)
acceptable under 1-1/2" cellular or lightweight concrete,
or 3/4" wood strip flooring installed at right angles to joists
(3)
SBA recommends under lightweight concrete or 3/4" wood strip flooring
(1" = 25.4 mm)

®
Structural Board Association
Representing the OSB Industry
25 Valleywood Drive, Unit 27 • Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 5L9 • Tel: (905) 475-1100 • Fax: (905) 475-1101
Web Site: www.osbguide.com E-mail: info@osbguide.com

Member of the Member of the Sustainable

Wood Panel Bureau Forestry Certification Coalition Printed in Canada
EL809 09/01/5000