Waferboard vs. OSB
ken_o
| Posted in General Questions on
We are getting ready to build our retirement home (bad timing…I know…) which will involve OSB sheathing in many places. My supplier recently quoted a pricefor waferboard. He assured me that it is another name for OSB.
Some quick research has me wondering. I have found numerous references like this one:
WB production, the wafers are allowed to fall randomly to the moving screen below to form a mat of the required thickness. In OSB production, the wafers are mechanically oriented in one direction as they fall to the screen below. Subsequent forming heads form distinct layers in which the wafers are oriented perpendicular to those in the previous layer. The alternating oriented layers result in a structurally superior panel. Granted this is from an EPA document which mostly addresses environmental factors, but, I have found this type of statement elsewhere. I’ve never seen waferboard. Does waferboard have an APA stamp or span rating? Has anyone found anything definitive about strength? It sure sounds like the “Oriented” part of OSB would make a stronger panel. Thanks for your thoughts.
GBA Detail Library
A collection of one thousand construction details organized by climate and house part
Search and download construction details
Replies
> My supplier recently quoted a pricefor waferboard. He assured me that it is another name for OSB.
It's probably someone who is not keen to the technological progress that's been made over the last couple decades. Lots of folks do say waferboard when referring to OSB.
> Does waferboard have an APA stamp or span rating?
Whatever he's quoting needs to have a stamp, which should reveal what it really is to you. Ask to see it.
That being said, I wouldn't be too keen on using commodity OSB for wall, roof, or floor sheathing, particularly if there is a chance of extended exposure to rain/snow during the build. I wouldn't hesitate to use a Huber product, however.