Contractors: They Make Things

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Contractors: They Make Things

Sometimes, two people can have the same title — contractor — and do entirely different work. One contractor may build stone walls. Another may create shelves and cabinets from wood. Sure, there are more specialized names for these professions. One is probably a stone mason, and the other is a carpenter or cabinet maker. But they all fall under the contractor umbrella, and we think that's a beautiful thing. It emphasizes what unites them: they all make things. Here on this website, we are not contractors, but we do make something. We create helpful, meaningful content on contractors and the work they do.

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2 Reasons To Choose Plywood Over Oriented Strand Board For Your Home's New Roof Decking

2 May 2023
 Categories: Construction & Contractors, Blog

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If you are having a new roof installed on your house, one part of its construction is the decking that supports the shingles and helps the roof hold its shape. When faced with the decision about the material you wish to use for the decking, two of your options are plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).

Since OSB is made from the remnants of woodworking that are mixed with resin and heated, this decking option is somewhat cheaper than plywood and may be your first choice. However, there are a couple of reasons why you should consider paying the extra cost and using plywood as the decking for your home's new roof instead of OSB.

1. Plywood Does Not Lose Its Shape or Take as Long to Dry as OSB When It Gets Wet

One reason why plywood is a better choice for use as roof decking when compared to OSB is that it holds up better when it gets wet. When OSB gets wet, the wood pieces will swell and lose their shape permanently, and the material will take a long time to fully dry out.

However, while plywood will swell somewhat when it becomes saturated with water, it will dry out quickly and return to its normal shape. Since your home's roof will be subjected to rain, snow, and ice, plywood will stand up better to moisture, allowing it to keep supporting the roof better than OSB.

2. Plywood Holds Roofing Nails and Screws in Place Better and Longer than OSB

Another reason why you should choose plywood over OSB for use as roof decking is that plywood has a more solid construction. Since OSB is softer and made from filler wood, it will not be able to hold roofing nails and screws tightly in place over the years.

However, because plywood is more solid, it will help keep the shingles' fasteners in place better. This will help maintain your roof's overall condition better than OSB.

When it comes time to choose the material for your new roof's decking, plywood is a better option than OSB because it does not lose its shape or take a long time to dry out. It also has a more solid construction than OSB, allowing it to hold nails and screws in place so that the roofing shingles do not easily become loose. For more information, contact a company like C & I Roofing Co Inc.