Business Advice5 min
Is There A More Water-Resistant OSB Board?
The #1 problem on a jobsite? Water. Because when it rains, it pours.
When rain hits before a new house is fully closed in, it can be disastrous not only for your construction schedule but also for your home’s sub-flooring and exterior sheathing.
At a time like that, there’s only one question: Is oriented strand board (OSB) waterproof?
Since not all OSBs are created equal, here’s what you need to know.
What OSB Is And How It’s Made
First, the basics: OSB is a type of engineered wood formed by adding adhesives and then compressing layers of wood strands (flakes) in various orientations under heat and pressure.
OSB is typically made with industrial grade adhesives that seal and bond the individual wood strands together. In addition to the adhesive, a water-resistant wax coats the wood strands for additional protection. Lastly, the edges of each OSB panel are sealed, adding more protection against water. This process makes the OSB board more water-resistant than other kinds of construction panels.
So, OSB is highly water-resistant. However, to answer the question "Is oriented strand board waterproof?" The answer is: not completely. That's because it's virtually impossible to prevent some water absorption in a wood-based product and moisture can be absorbed through cuts in the panel and the wood strands can swell. Sealing field cuts will help prevent moisture absorption.
All of this makes OSB a superior option to particle board for structural applications, and to plywood for moisture resistance.
LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring: A Whole Different Kind of OSB
LP took OSB to a whole new level when it created LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring, which is not only proven tough but also APA-verified for exceptional stiffness and strength.
In fact, LP Legacy sub-flooring is the most moisture-resistant OSB that LP manufactures.
As far as its water-resistant properties go, don't take our word for it. Check out this one-minute video demonstration.
What Makes LP Legacy® Premium Sub-Flooring More Moisture-Resistant?
The key to the high moisture resistance of LP Legacy sub-flooring is how it’s made.
LP Legacy panels are packed with more strands, resin and wax to provide exceptional resistance to moisture and edge swell. The strands are aligned in a specific orientation, sent through a press to bond at the molecular level and then cut to size.
Plus, the water-resistant resin used to manufacture LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring utilizes Gorilla Glue Technology® for unmatched moisture resistance and exceptional stiffness.
That’s not the only advantage. LP Legacy panels also feature RainChannel® notches on one four-foot end to improve drainage when rain suddenly interrupts your construction schedule. And it’s easy to install, as this brief video demonstrates.
LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring comes with a unique Covered Until It’s Covered® no-sand warranty plus a lifetime limited warranty that lasts as long as the home.
LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier: A Better OSB for Both Walls and Roofs
LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier is a Structural I rated OSB wall and roof sheathing panel that offers structural defense and protects against air and water infiltration.
The panels’ permeability allows moisture to dry, an innovation that provides greater indoor comfort for years to come.
The LP WeatherLogic System Was Designed To Solve A Real-World Problem
LP saw a real need and then developed an innovative sheathing panel to meet it.
To create a Structural I OSB panel, LP’s innovative manufacturing process combines wood strands oriented in cross-directional layers with waxes and resins for greater cross-panel strength and stiffness.
An integrated, water-resistive overlay is added to finish LP WeatherLogic panels, completing an integrated wall sheathing panel that provides both air and water protection. Rated for both wall and roof applications, the system eliminates the need for secondary housewrap (or roof underlayment, in most cases) while increasing the structural integrity of the home.
As The Song Goes, You Can’t Stop The Rain
You can’t stop the rain, but you can certainly minimize water damage to your sub-flooring and sheathing with both LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring and LP WeatherLogic Air & Water Barrier.
For more information about LP Legacy Premium Sub-Flooring, visit lpcorp.com/legacy or click here.
To learn more about LP WeatherLogic Air & Water Barrier, visit lpcorp.com/weatherlogic or click here.
Continue Reading
Business Advice4 min
Choosing Materials: Best Siding for Cold Climates
January and February typically usher in the season's coldest temperatures, bringing the need to use building materials that can withstand frigid temperatures with them. However, it's often the freeze/thaw cycle--cold days followed by quick warm-ups--that can cause significant damage to a home's siding. So, what is the best siding for cold climates to combat this?
Continue ReadingBusiness Advice4 min
Best House Sheathing for Cold Climates
With temperatures dropping, insulation and protecting new construction against the elements are top of mind. Of course, builders must consider how insulated wall sheathing can help meet code requirements and contribute to the overall performance of the building envelope. However, they must also carefully consider potential moisture problems both during and after the build and the potential impacts of freeze/thaw cycles. With the season of potential hard freezes followed by fast warm-ups upon us, let's explore methods for choosing the best house sheathing for cold climates.
Business Advice5 min
Building a House During Winter: Cold Weather Construction Safety Tips
With housing demand at an all-time high, builders do not have the ability to halt home construction during the winter months. Builders can work safely year round, even building houses during winter with planning and preparation. Advanced products and installation methods allow work to be performed during wet and very cold temperatures, but builders also need to consider winter safety for construction workers.
Business Advice4 min
Engineered Wood Siding in Multifamily Developments
Engineered wood siding has long been considered a trustworthy exterior product for single-family homes, but it is often overlooked for multifamily and commercial construction. LP® SmartSide® products are versatile enough for a range of builds beyond traditional single-family homes. Take a look at the homes featured in Madison Parade of Homes for siding inspiration and to see how LP SmartSide Trim & Siding might suit your building needs.