OSB slab is a modern building material, which in its characteristics has successfully replaced chipboard and plywood. These oriented particle boards are used both in the construction of frame houses and for insulation. Also use these products for the arrangement of rough coatings. OSB flooring is an excellent opportunity to level concrete screed or wooden floor inexpensively and with minimal effort .
What is OSB?
Oriented particleboard consists of several layers of pressed and then glued with special waterproof resins of wood chips. Glue it in three layers. On the outer sides of the chip is laid along the length, inside - perpendicularly. This solution gives the new building material a special strength.
Types of OSB boards
In construction works, as well as in repairs, several types of these plates are used. So, OSB-2 is a panel that has a very low moisture resistance. This solution is only suitable for indoor use in dry rooms.
OSB-3 is a more versatile cooker. Among the characteristics - high resistance to moisture both indoors and outdoors. Also, the stove has a huge margin of safety.
OSB-4 is the most durable and most moisture resistant materials. They are used only to create load-bearing structures in conditions where the humidity level is especially high.
Which plates are suitable for the floor?
If it is necessary to make a floor from OSB, then OSB-3 is best suited for these purposes. These plates withstand the effects of heavy furniture, various equipment and other mechanical stresses.
These panels are used to level the floor before laying the finish flooring. If there are only small defects on the rough concrete or wooden base, then the thickness of the sheets in this case should be no more than 10 mm. If larger bumps and indentations are present on the surface, it is best to use thicker plates. Their thickness in this case should be from 10 to 15 mm.
If you plan to build the floor on the logs, 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. Experts with experience recommend choosing products from Canada or Europe. As for the size, it is considered standard for this material - 2.44x1.22 m.
Main functions of OSB boards
Such panels are used to create an even and maximum durable base for various types of modern finish flooring. It can be parquet, ceramic tiles, laminate, carpet.
This is ideal for leveling floors. The plywood that was used before does not have such high characteristics. If there is a choice - flooring plywood or OSB, then the latter will be more durable.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among the advantages of such a building material, a rather high density is also distinguished - even a large rat will not be able to damage this base. High resistance to moisture allows you to use the material anywhere - you can lay these sheets in baths, as well as in various unheated rooms.
Laying OSB on the floor does not require special skills - absolutely any home master can do this, which is a serious advantage. To equip a draft foundation, it is enough to be able to use the usual building level, a hacksaw and a hammer.
OSB is a great opportunity to save money, since the price of these plates is low. One element will be enough to process a serious area. You can also highlight the high strength characteristics - even under heavy loads, the floor will not be deformed.
Installation of OSB on a concrete floor
Imagine this situation - there is a terribly curved concrete screed. For alignment, you can apply the following scheme. The technology is relevant for any concrete surfaces.
The first step is to clean the work surface as much as possible. 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 with mounting glue. Clean surface - high adhesion.
Then the cleaned base should be coated with a primer. This will help the adhesive adhere better to the concrete surface. In addition, the primer forms a fairly dense film on the screed, which will not allow it to dust during use.
Then they begin to lay out OSB plates on the floor. If necessary, cut the pieces to the desired size with a jigsaw or circular saw. From the wrong side, parquet glue is applied to the material . It should be chosen only on a rubber basis - it is more effective for solving such a problem. So that the glue can be applied as evenly as possible, experienced specialists recommend using a notched trowel.
Additionally, the plate should be fixed with a driven dowel. This is done for guaranteed and reliable retention. Hammering dowels is best around the perimeter. The interval is 20-30 cm. If the concrete screed is even and the installation is carried out in a dry room, then you can fix the OSB only in the corners, but this is taking into account the fact that high-quality glue is used.
In the process of laying between sheets, it is imperative to leave expansion joints. Their width should be about 3 mm. A seam of 12 mm is also left around the entire perimeter of the room - between the plate and the wall. These are special deformation gaps that, if necessary, can compensate for the expansion of materials. The floor of the OSB is almost ready.
In conclusion, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the resulting surface from dust and various debris accumulated there. Expansion joints are filled with foam. Then the surface is allowed to rest and dry for 4 hours. After that, it remains only to cut the foam, and you can lay the finish coating.
Installation of OSB on a wooden floor
So, before starting installation work, you should again prepare the base foundation. It is very important to pay attention to nails, if any. They must be drown deep into the board. For this, an ordinary hammer and a steel bolt are best suited. The diameter of the bolt should be equal to the diameter of the nail. If the floorboard during the time of operation has fallen into disrepair, it must be restored using a planer.
After that, you can proceed directly to the installation of the OSB. 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. For fastening plates, it is best to use self-tapping screws, the length of which is 4 cm. The interval of fasteners is approximately 20-30 cm. The self-tapping screws are recessed inside the plate.
After the installation is completed, it is recommended to grind the joints. This can be done by hand, but if the area of the room is serious, then a grinding machine will do . If you need maximum effect, then it is worth arming yourself with a vibrating machine, which is equipped with a sanding screen. It is worth processing the plate with the utmost accuracy - you can easily make recesses on its surface.
Installation of plates is extremely simple. It turns out that all masters understand how to make sex from OSB. It is worth trying this new building material. It is effective, and it is pleasant to work with it.