OSB boards are a relatively new building material, which is widely used in construction and repair work. One way to use it is to use it as flooring. Due to its properties, this coating has high strength and low weight, it is moisture resistant and has a low price, all this explains the growing popularity of this product. building material. In order for a floor covered with OSB to have a long service life, the material must be fastened correctly.

OSB board is inexpensive, quality material for flooring. It is durable, moisture-resistant, lightweight.

Features of choice

Currently available on the market large selection OSB, which differ in their properties and characteristics.

In order to make the right choice, you must follow the following recommendations:

• Products from Canadian and European manufacturers are considered to be of the highest quality; they are produced according to modern technologies and meets the E1 standard (environmental safety);
• it is best if OSB-3 is laid (fastened) on the floor;
• on concrete surfaces it is necessary to use slabs up to 10 mm thick, for wooden covering their thickness depends on the distance between the logs.

The size of a standard OSB board is 2440x1220 mm, so the required quantity is calculated based on the location to ensure a minimum of waste. Using a circular saw, it is easy to cut to the required size; using a jigsaw for this is not recommended, since it is not always possible to obtain an even cut with its help.

Laying OSB on a concrete floor

If your room has a concrete floor, then fix OSB as flooring material is a great solution.

After OSB has been laid on the concrete floor, you can install finishing materials: tiles, linoleum, laminate, parquet boards.

The main functions of OSB on a concrete floor:

When calculating the number of slabs, you need to take into account that losses when cutting a slab are 7-10%.

• leveling an imperfect floor surface, which usually has unevenness, height differences and other defects;
• reliable sound insulation, which is ensured by the multilayer structure of the material, which allows you to well absorb various noises;
• waterproofing and floor insulation. The specified material has natural base, high heat-saving characteristics and moisture resistance.

If there are significant unevenness of the concrete coating, then the OSB board is fastened not immediately to the floor, but to wooden blocks, which play the role of lag.

To ensure maximum rigidity and resistance to deformation, it is better to use OSB boards with a thickness of 8-10 mm, laid in two layers. The layers must be laid offset; they are attached to each other using spiral nails or glue.

If the concrete floor is flat, then you can lay OSB directly on it; in this case, one layer will be enough; it is secured with self-tapping screws or dowels. Although the material is moisture resistant, partial absorption of moisture occurs and it expands slightly. To compensate for possible expansion or contraction, it is necessary to provide expansion gaps between the plates of up to 3 mm in size.

Processing material

OSB boards can be used as an independent floor covering, or they can be used as a base for laminate, linoleum or parquet.

This coating can also be used independently; for this, it is stripped, and then several layers of varnish are applied to it.

If installation is carried out roll materials, then it is necessary to ensure a smooth transition at the joints; the slabs are taken with a minimum thickness. They try to make gaps from the side of the wall; they are treated with elastic sealant.

To cover the floor with tiles, the base must be completely motionless, so OSB must be laid especially carefully. The tiles are placed on a special glue, which ensures reliable connection ceramics and wood.

A floor made from OSB panels is an excellent base for any finishing layer. You can lay parquet, panels or ceramic tiles on it. OSB sheets, also known as OSB and OSB boards or sheets. This material has increased mechanical strength and resistance to moisture, and is also characterized by good thermal insulation and sound insulation. The advantages of the chosen solution include relatively simple installation. In this article we will talk in detail about how to properly lay OSB sheets on the floor.

In what cases are OSB sheets laid on the floor?

There are a variety of flooring materials and smoothing materials to choose from. Traditionally, in residential premises they are used mineral mixtures: cement grade 400 with sand or ready-made dry mixture. This ensures the reliability and durability of the rough surface on which decorative flooring can be laid.

However, the use of concrete screed is not always possible, and special solutions with a leveling effect are not cheap. An alternative to both materials is OSB floor board, which provides acceptable strength and is easy to handle. Although, such a solution will not be cheap either. It should be applied under the following conditions.

• The base of the room is well insulated and does not allow pouring concrete.
• The housing is located in an area with a cold winter climate, which forces the cement-concrete floor to be additionally insulated using a layer of OSB or creating an artificial void from sheathing and insulation.
• Noticeable irregularities (chips, holes) that require leveling before cladding design materials(linoleum, carpet, etc.);

OSB is favored by its resistance to rodents and mold, relative immunity to stress and friendliness to all types of finishing.

Not only a concrete floor, but also wooden flooring, wooden and metal frame, as well as other types quite solid foundation.

Choosing the thickness of OSB sheets when laying on the floor

Manufacturers offer material standard sizes, but there are limitations. Thus, the size range in length is 244-280 cm, and in width from 60 to 250 cm. From the point of view of floor installation, the thickness of the slab, which varies from 6 to 24 mm, is the most important parameter, affecting the reliability and durability of the coating. The greater the thickness, the higher the load that the OSB board can withstand. But, as this indicator increases, the height of the room will also decrease, so it is important to balance the strength and elevation of the floor. In addition to the above, as this slab size increases, the cost of repairs increases.

Many years of application experience and calculations show that for installation as subfloors on lathing, it is necessary to choose the thickest sheets that are available in production - 22-24 mm.

When directly attached to screed or concrete, it all depends on the condition cement surface. If it is without significant irregularities and defects, then 10 mm panels are sufficient, but otherwise, the acceptable thickness of the slabs increases to 18 mm.

When the OSV surface is conceived as the front surface, 22 mm sheets will be needed. Since they will better thermal insulation and deform slightly under loads, which will allow the paintwork finishing coating remain monolithic and durable. This information is presented more clearly in the table below.

The structural data of the material is also important. The board used is quality OSB-3, no less. Joints can be straight or tongue-and-groove. In the latter version, the joints will be further strengthened.

How to lay OSB sheets on the floor

Technology for installing OSB panels on horizontal surface It is quite simple to perform and even a non-professional can handle it. The basic principle when laying floors from any material is to create a durable, flat surface. When repairing floors using OSB boards, three options for laying them are most often used:

• direct fastening to cement-concrete screed;
• on the floor made of old wooden boards;
• installation using lathing made of wooden logs.

All three possible ways have some nuances that should be taken into account during work.

Laying OSB on a floor with a concrete surface

The method is widely used in apartments multi-storey buildings– where the base will not absorb moisture and excess moisture. This will keep the wood-shaving structure in its original form for a long time. The purpose of this method is to create a perfectly flat surface for decorative cladding and insulation of stone slabs.

The cement-concrete screed must be perfectly leveled before work begins. Residual roughness, cracks and local potholes are acceptable.

The process of laying OSB sheets on a concrete floor is performed in the following sequence:

1. The first step is to clean the work area well. You can use a regular vacuum cleaner for this. The sheets will sit on the glue and the dust-free surface will give a high degree of adhesion.
2. Afterwards, the cleaned base should be coated with a primer composition. This will help the glue adhere better. In addition, the priming process creates a fairly dense film that will prevent the screed from becoming dusty during use.
3. Then, they begin to lay OSB on the floor. If necessary, the slabs are cut. It is more convenient to do this using a cutting or circular saw.
4. The back side of the board is impregnated with a moisture-repellent primer with antiseptic properties and dried.
5. An adhesive composition is applied to the treated surface. It should be chosen only based on rubber. To evenly distribute the mixture, it is convenient to use a notched trowel.
6. Additionally, the panels must be secured with concrete dowels. This is done to guarantee and safe operation. It is best to drive the dowels along the entire contour of the slab. The distance from the edge should be kept at 5 cm, and the interval at 20-30 cm. With a perfectly leveled and strong screed, it is enough to fasten only in the corners, but this takes into account the fact that a good adhesive is used.
7. Compensator gaps are left between adjacent sheets. Their width should be about 3 mm. There is also a 12 mm gap around the entire perimeter of the room. Subsequently, they will prevent deformation of the floor surface.
8. Finally, thoroughly clean the new surface. The joints are filled with mounting foam or putty if paint or varnish is subsequently going to be applied. After this, the floor should rest and dry. The foam is cut off, the putty is sanded and cladding can begin.

Adding an insulating substrate between OSB and concrete is undesirable - such actions lead to displacement and deformation of the floors subsequently. The sheets must adhere firmly, with their entire surface, to the base. Moreover, high-quality rubber glue itself plays the role of an insulating, water-repellent and shock-absorbing substrate.

Covering wooden floors with OSB sheets

This method is widely used in old premises where it has been preserved in good condition. wooden floor. The boards must be intact, not eaten by fungus and mold, and securely reinforced. This method allows you to save on materials, is simple to implement and functional - the old floor will serve as a tolerable barrier to moisture, cold and noise.

The goals that are achieved when installing OSB on wooden boards are their leveling before decorative finishing in the future, creating a continuous, seamless surface and strengthening subfloors.

It is important to inspect the old plank flooring. Make sure the integrity of the waterproofing that should be laid under the floors. Replace decayed and rotten spans. Level the surface as much as possible.

1. All nails should first be deeply sunk into the board. For this, it is better to use a hammer and a steel bolt. Unevenness and poor condition must be removed with an electric plane until a smooth polished surface is obtained.
2. The old floor and the back side of the slabs should be covered with a protective layer of antiseptic.
3. Lay a layer of vapor barrier membrane under the OSB to avoid the appearance of condensation on the sheets and their premature aging. For convenience, the waterproofing is grabbed with silicone glue, or applied with a construction stapler.
4. OSB is marked and cut as shown in the diagram for laying in a diagonal order. This will help avoid the formation of distortions and installation defects. The edges of the sheets that will be adjacent to the walls should be trimmed.
5. The panels are secured with wood screws. Screw in long hardware (TN 45 or more) in rows that will fall in the middle of the underlying boards. To avoid splitting the wood along the grain, lightly mix adjacent fastening elements in a checkerboard pattern. The distance from the edge of the OSB to the row of screws should be kept at 5 cm, the step in a row should be 30 cm, and the distance between adjacent rows should be approximately 40-65 cm.
6. The recesses for the screws are pre-countersinked to make them flush. This will protect subsequent finishing layers from perforation.
7. Expansion joints are filled with foam if the coating was intended as subfloors. When the OSB acts as the finishing surface, apply a layer of putty along the joints and holes for hardware.
8. The foam is cut off after final fixation, and the putty is leveled with a sanding machine.

Laying OSB on joists

Installation of a durable sheathing before laying OSB boards on the floor creates a hidden cavity for effective insulation, sound insulation and waterproofing, and tilt-adjustable logs allow you to level and prepare horizontal plane for laying oriented strand panels.

Theoretically, the complete set of structural elements of such a floor consists of:

• load-bearing logs or beams;
• waterproofing bottom perforated membrane or film;
• top layer of vapor barrier (perforated membrane);
• insulation block - basalt wool or expanded polystyrene;
• reinforcing sheathing, which may not exist;
• OSB panels.

The technology for creating such complex design, is actually very easy to do and can be done by a non-professional. The main difficulty is the installation of a durable supporting frame.

Step one is installing the logs. Rectangular beams are used as load-bearing wooden or polymer elements. The most popular sizes for this purpose are 75x50 or 100x75. The size is selected individually, it depends on the length of the room, the pitch of the sheathing and the expected load. The main thing is that the insulation layer is flush with the beams.

Before installation begins, it is necessary to prepare the base for installing the logs. To do this, the entire surface is cleaned of the possible presence of fungus and mold, which in the future may settle on wooden structures and destroy them. Treat the surface with an antiseptic and repair large defects in the concrete or wooden foundation. It is allowed to leave the maximum skew angle of the base at 2-3 degrees.

You need to decide on the direction of laying the lags. In the room it is required to place them perpendicular to the windows, and in walk-through corridors - across the movement of residents.

It is more convenient to maintain the distance between the rows of laid beams according to the dimensions of the insulating elements and a multiple of the dimensions of the OSB panels, which is about 40 centimeters. If you plan to use tiles, then the space is reduced to 30 centimeters.

You can begin installing and securing the logs - level the two most distant beams on opposite sides of the room. Pull the threads between them. All remaining elements will be aligned along this plane.

On a reinforced concrete base, logs are fixed and adjusted in various ways: with self-tapping screws, anchors, metal corners, using a polymer structure. The most reliable and functional way is to attach it to an anchor. This scheme is durable and the bars can be easily adjusted in level using threads and locknuts.

TO wooden sheathing The logs are fastened with screws on wood or on metal corners, and their level is adjusted using substrates. At the very end of the work, transverse struts are installed; they are attached to the places where the edges of the OSB sheets are expected to fit.

The assembled frame is treated with a primer, and underground communication is carried out in the space between its elements. Finished design is a reliable support (the average calculated withstand load is 5 tons per 1 m 2.). Now you can lay the next layers on it.

Step two is to create a vapor barrier. The main purpose of this material is to protect the insulation from condensation. The layer laid under the insulation will act as a waterproofing layer against external moisture, and the layer on the room side will serve as a vapor barrier.

There are a great variety of materials produced for this purpose: polyethylene film, folgoizol, antioxidant insulator, vapor-permeable membrane. When using budget sealed films, it will be necessary to create high-quality ventilation in the house, and the membranes must be installed correctly. The rough side should be directed outward from the insulation.

The rolls are spread overlapping, and the joints are soldered with a construction hairdryer and rolled with a roller or glued with bitumen tape for tightness.

Step three - laying insulation. The function performed by this element is clear from its name. For correct placement between the frame elements, the insulation needs to be cut with a small margin for future shrinkage, then the cold will have no paths between the joists in the insulating layer.

Three common materials are used as floor thermal insulation:

1. Mineral wool,
   1. advantages: environmentally friendly, easy to install, does not burn, reliably insulates the room from moisture;

• Disadvantages: afraid of moisture, not cheap, requires good waterproofing.
• Expanded polystyrene,
  • advantages: best insulator, not afraid of moisture, does not require waterproofing;

• disadvantages: expensive, fire hazard, requires good ventilation in the room, fixed with polyurethane foam.
• Expanded clay,
  • advantages: affordable, does not require laying an inner layer of a vapor barrier, absorbs excess moisture, non-toxic, non-flammable;
  • disadvantages: poor heat insulator.

After laying the insulation, another inner layer of waterproofing is added, provided that mineral wool was used.

Step four - laying OSB sheets. Installation should be carried out in the same way as attaching oriented strand panels to a wooden floor. First, the lower surface of the slabs must be primed, the sheets themselves must be cut and laid on the joists. OSB elements should be oriented so that their long side lies across wooden frame. The main thing is that the edge of the board never sag; if this happens, then it is necessary to add a safety element to the sheathing.

You can see this process visually in the video:

Operation of OSB floors

The resulting wooden surface gives free rein for further imagination. decorative finishing floors It must be covered with layers of traditional material that is used for laying on floors. Applied over OSB panels facing covering, will provide protection for the wood-chip structure.

You cannot install warm floors under OSB boards. High temperature will promote intense evaporation of heated formaldehydes, which bind the fibers. This will make the indoor atmosphere toxic. At the same time, the good insulating properties of wood will prevent heat from entering the house, which will lead to wasted energy.

If you carefully follow the work technology, the OSB board will serve for a long time, the atmosphere in the house will remain healthy, and its climate cozy and comfortable.

OSB board is a modern building material, which in its characteristics has successfully replaced chipboard and plywood. These are also used in construction frame houses, and for insulation. These products are also used for arranging rough coverings. OSB flooring is great opportunity inexpensively and with minimal effort to level a concrete screed or

What is OSB?

Oriented strand board consists of several layers pressed and then glued with special waterproof resins. It is glued together in three layers. On external sides The chips are placed along the length, inside - perpendicularly. This solution gives the new building material particular strength.

Types of OSB boards

Several types of these slabs are used in construction work, as well as during repairs. So, OSB-2 is a panel that has very low moisture resistance. This solution is only suitable for interior work in dry rooms.

OSB-3 is more universal plate. Among the characteristics is high resistance to moisture both indoors and outdoors. The plate also has a huge safety margin.

OSB-4 is the most durable and most moisture-resistant materials. They are used only to create load-bearing structures in conditions where humidity levels are particularly high.

Which slabs are suitable for the floor?

If you need to make a floor from OSB, then OSB-3 is best suited for these purposes. These boards perfectly withstand the impact of heavy furniture, various equipment and other mechanical loads.

These panels are used before laying the finishing floor covering. If on rough concrete or wooden base There are only small defects, then the thickness of the sheets in this case should be no more than 10 mm. If there are larger protrusions and depressions on the surface, then it is best to use thicker slabs. Their thickness in this case should be from 10 to 15 mm.

If you plan to build the floor on joists, then even thicker sheets should be used - the thickness should be from 15 to 25 mm.

Selection rules

It is worth knowing some selection rules. It is very important who made the sheets. Experienced experts recommend choosing products from Canada or Europe. As for the size, the standard for this material is 2.44x1.22 m.

Main functions of OSB boards

Such panels are used to create a smooth and extremely durable base for various types of modern finishing floor coverings. This could be parquet, ceramic tiles, laminate, carpet.

This ideal option for leveling floors. The plywood that was used before does not have such high characteristics. If you have a choice - plywood or OSB flooring, then the latter will be more durable.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Among the advantages of such a building material, there is also a fairly high density - even big rat will not damage this base. High resistance to moisture allows the material to be used anywhere - you can lay these sheets in bathhouses, as well as in various unheated rooms.

Laying OSB on the floor does not require any special skills - anyone can do it home handyman, which is a serious advantage. To arrange a rough foundation, it is enough to be able to use a regular building level, a hacksaw and a hammer.

OSB is a great opportunity to save money, since the price of these boards is low. One element will be enough to cover a large area. You can also highlight the high strength characteristics - even under heavy loads the floor will not deform.

Installation of OSB on a concrete floor

Let's imagine this situation - there is a terrible curve. To level it, you can use the following scheme. The technology is relevant for any concrete surfaces.

The first step is to clean it as much as possible. work surface. To do this, you can use either a vacuum cleaner or a broom. It is necessary to ensure maximum cleanliness, because the sheets will be glued using mounting adhesive. Clean surface - high adhesion.

Then the cleaned base should be coated with a primer. This will help the glue adhere better to the concrete surface. In addition, the primer forms a fairly dense film on the screed, which will prevent it from collecting dust during use.

Then they begin to lay out the OSB boards on the floor. If necessary, trim the pieces to required sizes jigsaw or circular saw. It is applied to the material from the wrong side. It should be chosen only on a rubber basis - it is more effective for solving this problem. To ensure that the glue can be applied as evenly as possible, experienced professionals recommend using a notched trowel.

Additionally, the plate should be secured with a driven dowel. This is done to ensure a guaranteed and secure hold. It is best to hammer in dowels around the perimeter. The interval is 20-30 cm. If the concrete screed is smooth and the installation is carried out in a dry room, then OSB can be attached only in the corners, but this is taking into account the fact that high-quality glue is used.

During installation, expansion joints must be left between the sheets. Their width should be about 3 mm. A 12 mm seam is also left along the entire perimeter of the room - between the slab and the wall. These are special deformation gaps that, if necessary, can compensate for the expansion of materials. The OSB floor is almost ready.

In conclusion, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the resulting surface from accumulated dust and various debris. Expansion joints are filled with polyurethane foam. Then the surface is allowed to rest and dry for 4 hours. After this, all that remains is to cut off the foam, and you can lay the finishing coating.

Installation of OSB on a wooden floor

So, before starting installation work, you should again prepare a basic foundation. It is very important to pay attention to nails, if any. They need to be recessed deep into the board. A regular hammer and a steel bolt are best for this. The diameter of the bolt must be equal to the diameter of the nail. If batten During its operation it has become unusable and needs to be restored using a planer.

After this, you can proceed directly to OSB installation. First of all, pre-cut sheets are laid out on the surface. Here, as in the case of installation on concrete, it is important to remember the need for expansion joints. To fasten the slabs, it is best to use self-tapping screws, the length of which is 4 cm. The interval of fastening elements is approximately 20-30 cm. The heads of the screws are recessed into the slab.

After installation is completed, it is recommended to sand the joints. This can be done by hand, but if the room area is large, then it will do. If needed maximum effect, then it’s worth arming yourself vibration machine, which is equipped with a sanding mesh. It is worth processing the slab with the utmost care - you can easily make indentations on its surface.

Installation of the plates is extremely simple. It turns out that all craftsmen understand how to make a floor from OSB. This new building material is worth trying. He is efficient and pleasant to work with.

Oriented strand boards (OSB) are a relatively new type of building material. They are often used as alternative option instead of chipboard and plywood when constructing flooring. Plates help get rid of various irregularities. This increases the strength of the floor. It's getting warmer. This base can be used for installation of almost any type of decorative coating.

Material advantages

The advantages of the material include:

• it has high density;
• moisture resistant;
• the floor slab can be used to decorate an unheated room or bathhouse;
• the surface does not crumble;
• environmentally friendly;
• natural wood chips are used in the production process;
• easy to install;
• has a low price;
• using one element you can treat a large area of ​​the floor;
• able to withstand large deformation loads.

Classification of different types of slabs

Pressed wood chips are used in the manufacture of the board. Waterproof resins are used for gluing it. The product consists of three layers. In the outer layers, chips are laid along the surface of the material. In the interior it is located perpendicularly.

There are 4 types of products:

• OSB 1 is used in packaging production and in the manufacture of furniture blanks;
• using OSB 2, internal rough work is carried out;
• OSB 3 is a moisture-resistant material, used for interior and exterior decoration;
• OSB 4 is a high-strength material used to form load-bearing structures.

The flooring is laid using OSB 3 sheets. They are able to withstand the required load and are resistant to temperature changes. They are easy to process and install. The material can be used as a base for laying linoleum, laminate and ceramic tiles.

Laying material on an old wooden surface

The plates are used to level the surface being treated. Laying OSB on a wooden floor is carried out in a certain sequence:

1. Uneven areas are located using a building level. Loose or raised floorboards must be pulled to the joists. For this, special dowels are used.
2. The paint is being removed from the floor. Sanding machine or sandpaper swellings are removed.
3. Products are laid out on the floor surface. Cross joints must be avoided.
4. Gaps are left between adjacent panels. Their size should not exceed 3 mm.
5. Holes are drilled in the products. Their diameter must correspond to the diameter of the screws used. The holes are located along the perimeter of the panels at a distance of 30 cm.
6. Countersinking is performed for the screw heads.
7. The panels are secured using fasteners.

The length of the screws should not be less than 45 mm. To make the flooring more durable, the OSB board is laid in 2 layers. The seam near the wall is filled using polyurethane foam. After it has completely dried, the excess is removed with a construction knife.

Creating a floor surface on a concrete base

Let's look at how to lay a covering on the floor with concrete base. The boards contain natural wood chips. This material structure allows you to create high thermal insulation. In addition, the panels reliably isolate the room from the penetration of various noises.

Installation of OSB on a concrete floor is carried out as follows:

1. debris is removed from the concrete surface;
2. if necessary, it is further leveled;
3. A primer is applied to the concrete for better adhesion. adhesive composition with base;
4. the panels are laid out on the surface to be treated;
5. glue with a rubber base is applied to the inside of the slabs;
6. sheets are glued to concrete;
7. the coating is additionally fixed using driven dowels;
8. There should be seams between the panels to compensate for deformation changes in the products;
9. at final finishing they are filled with polyurethane foam;
10. after drying excess foam removed with a sharp knife.

OSB sheets for wooden floors

Installation of coating on joists

How to install panels correctly? Is it possible to do without using a leveling screed when laying slabs on a concrete base?

The technology for installing oriented strand panels allows work to be carried out in a similar way. In this case, wooden logs should be laid directly on concrete surface. For fastening, special dowels or anchors are used. The installation step of the fasteners will depend on the thickness of the wood boards used.

Thermal insulation material is placed in the space created between the joists, the concrete floor and the top covering. If there is moisture below basement, vapor barrier films or membranes are additionally added to the structure.

When executing installation work rules must be followed:

• expansion joints must remain between the adjacent sheets;
• the slabs are laid across wooden blocks;
• self-tapping screws or special nails are used to fix wood panels;
• the distance at which they will be located fasteners should not be less than 15 mm;
• their length should exceed the thickness of the panels used by 2.5 times.

Installation sequence

Installation of panels on logs is carried out in the following order:

1. logs are attached to the foundation or attached;
2. the fastening step depends on the thickness of the sheets used (it increases with increasing material thickness);
3. a rough roll is installed on the surface of the lag;
4. the main covering is laid on top and secured;
5. his inner surface processed using waterproofing materials;
6. installed on the panel vapor barrier layer and insulation;
7. fits top layer OSB on the floor.

Features of installation work

When performing installation work, you should use special clothing, gloves and safety glasses. The material itself has a fairly strong structure. But during the cutting and additional processing process, small chips and wood dust are formed, which can damage the eyes.

The panels must be laid and cut carefully, without using unnecessary force. Using the above instructions, you can easily lay the material yourself, without resorting to the services of professional builders.

Laying OSB on a wooden floor is used when repairing tongue-and-groove flooring, to reinforce a subfloor, or to provide a continuous layer when laying small-format cladding (for example, tiles, PVC tiles, parquet).

Despite the fact that the quality of oriented strand board exceeds the characteristics of chipboard, this structural material is not suitable as a finishing floor covering:

Therefore, OSB is used more often as a subfloor:

In this case, you need to know how to properly attach OSB sheets to floorboards/joists and use offset seams in adjacent rows.

There are several types of oriented strand boards:

• OSB-2 – only for dry rooms;
• OSB-3 – can be used in rooms with high humidity;
• OSB-4 – for load-bearing structures.

Important! Since the subfloor has low maintainability, it is prohibited to use OSB-2 in it. The slabs are additionally treated with an antiseptic and waterproofing material.

The main characteristics of oriented strand boards are:

• density – 630 kg/m³;
• thermal conductivity – 0.13 W/m*K;
• linear expansion – 0.15% at a humidity of 70%;
• straightness – 0.6 mm/m;
• perpendicularity of opposite sides of the sheet – within 3 mm;
• thickness deviation – 0.3 – 0.8 mm (ground, untreated, respectively).

Advice! Manufacturers produce slabs different sizes, which must be taken into account when purchasing in order to reduce cutting waste for specific dimensions and room configurations.

Installation technology

To lay it down correctly sheet material over an existing plank floor, the following conditions must be met:

Important! When laying parquet, PVC tiles, other small format claddings, the screw heads must be puttied.

Depending on the type of finishing floor covering, OSB boards are oriented towards wooden floor not the same:

• for small format decorative materials It should be ensured that the seams of tiles and PVC tiles do not coincide with the joints of OSB boards;
• when choosing laminate, tongue and groove, decking or parquet board ranks OSB is better lay across the direction of long claddings of the finishing layer or at an angle of 45 degrees for a diagonal layout (relevant in rooms with defects in the geometry of the walls).

Advice! On OSB it is allowed to apply a screed made of DSP or self-leveling floor. However, the surface of the oriented strand board must be pre-treated with a waterproofing material to avoid leaks into the lower floor and swelling of the structural material itself.

Finish flooring repair

The main problem with plank flooring is a floorboard or several boards, which develop a transverse “hump” during periodic changes in humidity or during the drying process. This leads to an increase in the repair budget:

In other words, OSB with a thickness of 22 mm or more should be used. The specified problem can be solved by preliminary grinding or scraping of the base:

• a grinder or sander will smooth out the “waves”;
• the contact area of ​​the subfloor layers will sharply increase;
• You can get by with oriented strand boards of smaller thickness.

However, this is not always possible when the existing floor covering is thin.

OSB subfloor top layer

• provide a level base for the floor covering;
• increase spatial rigidity and strength of the base;
• reduce labor and material consumption of work.

Unlike floorboards, self-tapping screws are screwed into OSB boards strictly vertically. When tilting hardware, a change in geometry and warping of the material over time may occur.

The main problems arise when opposite walls diverge (trapezoid instead of rectangular shape premises). In this case, it is necessary to mark the existing wooden floor in order to trim only the slabs of the first row:

Thus, the OSB structural material is suitable both for creating the top layer of a subfloor and for repairing a finished floor covering made from tongue-and-groove boards if dismantling this cladding for some reason is not practical in the room. When choosing an oriented strand board, the labor intensity of the work is reduced, and the home master makes do with the existing arsenal of tools.

Advice! If you need repairmen, there is a very convenient service for selecting them. Just submit in the form below detailed description work that needs to be done and you will receive offers by email with prices from construction crews and companies. You can see reviews about each of them and photographs with examples of work. It's FREE and there's no obligation.