OSB or OSB (oriented strand board) is a relatively new building material that has become a successful alternative to plywood and chipboard. The role of OSB is great in frame construction, when insulating standard houses. Especially often, OSB is used to form and level floor surfaces. Today we’ll talk about how to do this correctly.
Types of OSB boards and their characteristics
OSB is a board consisting of several layers of wood chips pressed and glued with waterproof resins. Its gluing is carried out in 3 layers. In the outer layers, the chips are laid along the length of the panel, and inside - perpendicularly. This arrangement gives OSB strength and allows fasteners to be firmly held.
The following types of OSB are used in construction:
- OSB-2 – panels with low moisture resistance. They are used only for interior work in dry rooms.
- OSB-3 – universal material. Withstands high humidity both indoors and outdoors. A large margin of safety allows it to be widely used in construction.
- OSB-4 is the most durable and moisture-resistant board. They are used to form load-bearing structures in conditions of high humidity.
For construction and leveling of floors, OSB-3 sheets are usually used, which can easily withstand the load from furniture, equipment, and people’s movement.
When leveling small floor defects, it is enough to use OSB boards 10 mm thick. Surfaces with significant bumps and potholes will require 10-15 mm of material. If you are going to create a floor on logs, then the thickness of the OSB boards used should be at least 15-25 mm.
They are widely used for laying subfloors under the finishing coating. wood boards, such as plywood and OSB. Let's compare these two materials in the following article: .
OSB boards are used as a flat and durable base for various modern coatings- parquet, tiles, linoleum, laminate, carpet. The main functions of oriented strand boards are:
- Creating a floor surface. OSB is a popular material for creating subfloors on joists. In this case, the laying of slabs can be carried out either according to top side lag, and along the bottom.
- Leveling the surface. Installing OSB on a wooden or concrete floor will help create a completely flat surface suitable for laying finishing coatings.
- Thermal insulation of the floor. OSB board consists of 90% natural wood chips, which have high thermal insulation properties. Accordingly, an OSB floor does not allow heat to escape and retains it in the room.
- Noise insulation. The multilayer dense OSB structure reliably absorbs any type of noise.
Let's look at several popular technologies for laying OSB on different substrates.
Installation of OSB boards on a concrete floor (cement screed)
Let's start with the simplest situation - leveling a concrete base with OSB slabs. The work is carried out according to this scheme.
Sweep away debris from the concrete base and remove dust with a vacuum cleaner. The surface must be absolutely clean to ensure adhesion of the mounting adhesive. The base is coated with a primer. This also promotes better adhesion of the glue to the base. In addition, the primer creates a dense film on the surface, which does not allow the screed to “dust” during use.
OSB is laid out on the surface, and if necessary, trimming is done with a jigsaw or circular saw. Rubber-based parquet adhesive is applied to the underside of OSB, using a notched trowel to ensure uniform application. Glue the sheets to concrete base.
Additionally, OSB is fixed with driven dowels. To guarantee retention, dowels are driven in around the perimeter every 20-30 cm. If the floor is flat and installation is carried out in a dry living room, then it is enough to secure the dowels in the corners of each slab (subject to the mandatory use of high-quality glue!).
When laying, expansion joints 3 mm thick are left between the slabs. Along the perimeter of the room, between the OSB and the wall, the seam should be 12 mm. These gaps are necessary to compensate for temperature and humidity expansion (swelling) of the OSB during operation.
At the last stage of work, the OSB base is cleaned of dust and debris. The seams between the wall and the slabs are filled with polyurethane foam. Its drying time is 3-4 hours. Excess dry foam protruding beyond the surface is cut off with a sharp knife.
Installation of OSB boards on plank flooring
Laying OSB on an old wooden floor helps level the surface and prepare it for installation of the finishing coating. Installation is carried out as follows:
- To begin with, using a level or a rule, determine the localization of irregularities (bulges, depressions) of the boardwalk.
- Boards that “walk” or rise too high above the general level are pulled to the joists with dowels, recessing them into the material. In some cases, to eliminate creaking and unsteadiness of the boards, the floor has to be rebuilt and the joists replaced (repaired).
- Remove paint deposits from the flooring, erase swellings and protrusions with a sander or emery cloth.
- OSB boards are laid out on the floor, with the seams of each next row offset. There should be no cross-shaped joints! Expansion gaps are provided (between the plates - 3 mm, along the perimeter of the walls - 12 mm).
- Holes are drilled in the slabs. Their diameter should match the thread diameter of the wood screws that were chosen to fix the OSB to the floor. Holes are drilled along the perimeter of the slabs every 20-30 cm, and countersinking is performed for the screw heads.
- Use wood screws to attach the OSB to the floor. The recommended length of screws is at least 45 mm.
- If you want to make the floor more durable, install a second layer of OSB. The seams of the overlying and underlying layers should be laid with an offset of 20-30 cm.
- Deformation gaps near the walls are filled with polyurethane foam, which is cut off after drying.
This completes the process.
Laying OSB on joists on a concrete base
If there is a concrete base (for example, a floor slab), installing joists and covering them with OSB sheets allows you to create a level floor without the use of wet leveling screeds. And also incorporate insulating, moisture- and noise-insulating materials into the structure.
Let's consider the technology of creating an OSB floor on logs on an existing concrete base. Lags ( wooden blocks) are fixed to the concrete floor using dowels or anchors.
The wider the distance between the logs, the thicker the OSB boards used. If the pitch is 40 mm, then the minimum OSB thickness is 15-18 mm; if the pitch is 50 cm, the thickness is 18-22 mm; if 60 cm, the thickness is 22 mm or more.
Thanks to the lags between the OSB and concrete floor space is created. It can be put to good use by covering it with insulating material. For example, the floors of the first floors are often cold, so a thermal insulator can be laid between the joists: mineral wool, polystyrene foam, EPS, etc. If there is a damp basement under the ceiling, the floor structure is supplemented with vapor barrier films or membranes.
OSB boards are laid across the joists. The seams between adjacent slabs (widthwise) should run strictly in the middle of the log. During installation, it is recommended to leave expansion gaps (3 mm between the slabs, 12 mm between the OSB and the wall)
The sheets are fixed to the joists with self-tapping screws or nails (spiral, ring). Spacing of fasteners: along the perimeter of the sheets – 15 mm, on intermediate (additional) supports – 30 mm. Nails (or self-tapping screws) fixing the boards around the perimeter are placed at a distance of at least 1 cm from the edge (so that the OSB does not crack). Fastening elements are selected so that their length is 2.5 times greater than the thickness of the plates used.
How to fasten OSB boards to joists in an ordinary city apartment, watch the video:
Creating a subfloor from OSB on joists
Laying OSB on wooden joists – the simplest way get a durable and reliable subfloor. This technology is especially appropriate with existing columnar, pile, pile-screw foundation. Work order:
- Logs are installed on the foundation. The lag pitch must correspond to the thickness of the OSB boards used (the larger the pitch, the greater the thickness).
- Perform rough rolling of the floor. To do this, retaining bars are nailed along the joists, and OSB boards are laid and secured on them. The surface facing the ground is covered with waterproofing preparations, for example, bitumen mastic.
- A layer of vapor barrier is laid on top of the OSB.
- Stacked thermal insulation material, for example, polystyrene foam, boards mineral wool, ecowool, etc.
- Cover the insulation with another layer of OSB. Fastening is carried out in the same way as when laying OSB on logs on an existing concrete base (the technology is described in the previous paragraph).
At this point the work process is considered completed.
Processing OSB for different finishing coatings
A strong, hard and smooth surface makes OSB a universal base for all modern types of finishing floor coverings. How to cover an OSB floor? Here are some popular solutions:
- Varnish or paint. In this case, OSB boards will act as finishing floors, which only require decorative finishing paint and varnish materials. OSB sheets do not require any additional preparation; it is enough to clean them from dust and apply 2-3 layers of varnish (paint).
- Roll materials - linoleum and carpet. When laying roll materials it is necessary to ensure that the joints between the OSB boards are located flush with the rest of the surface. It is advisable to remove all irregularities using sanding paper. Compensation gaps should be filled with elastic sealant.
- Tile(ceramic, vinyl, quartz vinyl, rubber, etc.). In order for the tile to be held on the OSB base, it is necessary to ensure its immobility. To do this, logs are placed more often than required by the thickness of the sheets. The pitch between the fastening elements is also reduced. The tiles are glued to OSB using a special adhesive suitable for the wooden surface and the tiles used.
- Laminate– a finishing coating that is fixed in a “floating” way, without rigidly fastening the lamellas. This coating is quite rigid, so there is no need to prepare OSB for it. Minor irregularities that may exist at the joints of the plates are leveled out by the substrate.
What exactly to choose is up to you.
Using OSB allows you to inexpensively and quickly level an existing wood or concrete floor. And if necessary, create it from scratch on logs. An OSB surface will not require expensive finishing, additional leveling, or coating with moisture-resistant compounds. This is an excellent choice for those who want to create a high-quality floor with minimal effort.
You can entrust the installation of floors to craftsmen and professional builders. They will make floors quickly and efficiently. True, it's far from cheap. You can save money by laying the floors yourself. Moreover, the installation of floors is not particularly complicated. You just need to carefully study the technology of their installation and apply the acquired knowledge in practice correctly, in a certain sequence. Below we will talk about how to make OSB floors yourself, choose the material, what tools you will need, and the work that needs to be done.
Pox is, let's say, a sandwich that can consist of 3 or more layers. Two (top and bottom) layers are pressed boards made from wood chips. The chips are laid lengthwise in the outer layers of the slabs and across in the inner ones. Therefore, the board as a whole is called oriented strand board. The shavings can be impregnated with boric acid, wax, and formaldehyde resins. Between the layers there is insulation, which can be used as polystyrene foam, as well as polyurethane foam.
| Manufacturer | Length | Width | Thickness | Price, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 6.3 | 390 |
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 8.0 | 435 |
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 9.0 | 450 |
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 9.5 | 450 |
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 12 | 620 |
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 15 | 860 |
| Arbec LP Norbord | 2440 | 1220 | 18 | 990 |
| Kronospan | 2440 | 1220 | 9 | 420 |
| Kronospan | 2440 | 1220 | 12 | 540 |
| Kronospan | 2440 | 1220 | 15 | 695 |
| Kronospan | 2440 | 1220 | 18 | 820 |
| Kronospan | 2440 | 1220 | 22 | 995 |
| Kronospan | 2500 | 1250 | 9 | 440 |
| Glunz | 2500 | 1250 | 9 | 680 |
| Glunz | 2500 | 1250 | 12 | 890 |
| Glunz | 2500 | 1250 | 15 | 1120 |
| Glunz | 2500 | 1250 | 18 | 1330 |
| Glunz | 2500 | 1250 | 22 | 1620 |
| Kalevala | 2500 | 1250 | 9 | 460 |
| Kalevala | 2500 | 1250 | 12 | 600 |
| Kalevala | 2500 | 1250 | 18 | 910 |
| Kalevala | 2800 | 1250 | 12 | 730 |
OSB is mainly used in construction and furniture production. Marked and used as follows:
- OSB-1 – for the production of furniture, packaging or surface covering;
- OSB-2 – in dry rooms for the installation of load-bearing structures and surfaces;
- OSB–3 – in rooms with high humidity;
- OSB-4 - for structures that are subject to heavy loads, as well as those located in places where humidity is high.
OSB can be varnished on one side, covered with laminate, tongue and groove, or on two or four sides.
The plate is a rectangle with the following dimensions:
- thickness from 8 mm to 38;
- length – 2440 mm;
- width – 1220 mm;
Above we have given the dimensions of a standard slab. Sometimes you can find OSB on sale with dimensions of 1.25 meters by 2.5.
The advantages of OSB are as follows:
- low cost;
- light weight;
- easy and well processed;
- durable;
- moisture resistance;
- does not dry out, does not delaminate, does not rot;
- mold and insects are not infested.
Unfortunately, there are restrictions on the use of OSB. During pressing, the chips are impregnated with resins that contain toxic substances. They constantly release environment volatile compounds of these substances. Therefore, when choosing a stove, you need to pay attention to how much of these substances is released by a particular brand of stove, and in what area it is allowed to be used.
Installation of OSB floors
There are two types of OSB flooring. The first one consists of concrete screed, waterproofing, intermediate subfloor, OSB itself. The second type is waterproofing, joists, preferably a subfloor, OSB.
Materials and tools
It is better to buy a tongue-and-groove slab. There should be tongues on two opposite sides, and grooves on the other two. This type of plate is easier to install.
The log is a timber. In construction, timber with dimensions of 5 by 5 centimeters or 5 by 7 is used to make lags. The number of lags depends on how the structure itself will be constructed. flooring. If there is no subfloor, then the number of joists increases.
If you plan to lay the floor on a screed, you will need a lath, because the slab cannot be laid directly on the screed, even if waterproofing is placed on it. Any wooden product it must breathe, that is, absorb air and release accumulated moisture. This is why they create a gap between the floors and the screed. Otherwise, from the moisture accumulated in the product, and the tree already stores moisture in itself, and even absorbs it from the screed, it will begin to rot and, in the end, will become unusable, no matter how well it is made.
Can be used for subfloors edged board or plywood, OSB itself.
To make the screed you will need cement of at least M-300 grade and sand. You can prepare the solution yourself, but it is easier to purchase a ready-made dry sand-cement mixture in the store. Consumption per sq. m. is indicated on the packaging. Concrete mix, which includes filler, gravel, crushed stone and the like, should not be done at home. Handmade forever high quality concrete mortar don't cook.
For a better and more even floor filling, you will need beacons.
In Russia, skirting boards are usually installed on the floors. It also serves as a decorative detail and closes the gap between the wall and the floors. The gap is made specifically to allow the board to expand as the temperature rises. If it is not planned, then you can do without a plinth.
The slab is usually fastened to the timber with nails and glued with glue. This means we will need both glue and nails. When installing floors, screw nails or self-tapping screws are used.
To fill the cracks you will need wood putty. This means you will also need a spatula. Will be needed wooden hammer, mallet for joining slabs, metal hammer.
Floor installation stages
The entire installation of any floor is divided into three main stages:
- Preparation;
- main works;
- cleaning.
The last stage is known to everyone. Therefore, we will not consider it.
Preparatory stage
In the future, we will conduct all discussions keeping in mind that the installation of floors is carried out in a residential area. In utility rooms or buildings, floors are laid in the same way and in the same sequence as in the apartment. Only there are fewer restrictions and lower requirements. We will divide all stages into stages. Let's call them steps and present our reasoning in the form step by step instructions for the execution of work.
So, preparatory work.
Step one. Selecting the type of floor. That is, we decide whether we will lay it on a screed or on. If we choose logs, it is better to first draw a drawing of their location. It will help you correctly calculate the number of lags.
| Thickness floor board, mm | Gap between lags, mm |
|---|---|
| 20 | 300 |
| 24 | 400 |
| 30 | 500 |
| 35 | 600 |
| 40 | 700 |
| 45 | 800 |
| 50 | 1000 |
2nd step. We calculate the volume of work and draw up cost estimates.
3rd step. We are purchasing materials. When purchasing a stove, be sure to ensure that it matches sanitary standards. It is advisable to buy lumber, boards for subflooring, beams, slats already dried and treated with fireproofing and antiseptics. If you were unable to purchase such lumber, you will have to purchase an additional antiseptic and treat the wood yourself.
4th step. We process the slab, remove burrs and irregularities from the edges. We treat the lumber with an antiseptic and lay it out to dry. It is laid in layers. A spacer is made between the layers. It is needed to ensure that the material breathes and dries evenly and quickly. The wood is dried for at least 24 hours. The drying temperature should be +10 degrees or higher.
5th step. If the floor is laid for the first time, then the remaining floor is removed. construction work garbage.
If OSB is laid to replace the old floor, then the old one, of course, cannot be used as a rough floor. The floor must be dismantled carefully so as not to damage the plaster on the walls. To do this, take out the nails and remove the board, then remove the joists. We release the floor slats (each) from the grooves, move them to the side and remove them.
6th step. We install beacons to level the floor level. At least three marks on each wall. We draw a line between them. Between the wall and the line, measurements at any point should show an angle of 90 degrees.
OSB floor installation
If we install the floor on a screed, then we will have to perform several actions.
1. Install beacons for pouring the screed. The distance between them should be no more than 50-60 cm. This will make the screed more even. We check the installation of beacons with a level. If there is a slope, we level it.
2. Prepare the solution. It should not be too liquid or too thick. Fill the area prepared for the screed, level the solution as a rule, level with the installed beacons.
| Brand | Packaging, kg | Price, rub | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weber. Vetonit 5000 (Vetonit 5000) | 25 | 550 | Vetonit 5000 self-leveling floors are a mixture that sets quickly, dries quickly and is applied by hand. On cement based for leveling all concrete bases. The mixture does not contain casein. |
| Self-leveling floor Osnovit T45 | 20 | 296 | Quick-hardening self-leveling floor for leveling the surface of the base with a layer of 2 to 100 mm. Allows you to create a finishing coating on which you can lay after 3 days ceramic tiles, or after 7 days linoleum, carpet, laminate, parquet, cork covering or wooden floors. |
| Rapid-hardening self-leveling floor Prospector | 25 | 280 | Purpose - for high-quality leveling of floor surfaces inside all types of buildings and structures for subsequent coatings (linoleum, tiles, parquet, etc.). Recommended for dry and moderately damp rooms. Layer thickness 5-80 mm. |
| Weber finishing self-leveling floor. Vetonit 3000 (Weber Vetonit) | 25 | 660 | Vetonit 3000 is excellent for the final leveling of floors inside the premises, not only in residential buildings, but also in different offices, public buildings. A surface that is leveled can be coated stone tiles, different coatings made of PVC, vinyl tiles, as well as textile carpets. |
| Self-leveling floor Yunis Horizon universal | 20 | 250 | Composition: cement, fine mineral filler, chemical additives. Thickness of the applied layer: from 2 to 100 mm. |
The screed will set in a day and you can work on it. But it will gain full strength no earlier than in two weeks, depending on the temperature in the room. The higher the temperature, the faster the screed gains strength. Hence the conclusion: heavy objects can be placed on the newly laid floor no earlier than after 14 days.
| Name | Scope of application | Rough base | Layer thickness | Consumption kg/m2 | Drying time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Floor screed, 25 kg | Preliminary surface leveling | Concrete, cement-sand base | 10-50 mm | 20 | 24 hours | 128 RUR/pack. |
| Self-leveling universal mixture Ceresit CN 175/20 | Making screeds, repairing floor defects, leveling the base for floor coverings | Concrete, gypsum, cement-sand bases | 60 mm | 16 | 72 hours | 340 rub./pack. |
| Floor screed BOLARS Base, 25 kg | Leveling the base for the finishing coat | Concrete, cement screed | 10-100 mm | 18 | 24 hours | 217 RUR/pack. |
| Finish self-leveling floor Vetonit 3000, 25 kg | Finishing the floor | Concrete, cement-sand screed | Up to 5 mm | 1,5 | 4 hours | 622 RUR/pack. |
| Self-leveling self-leveling floor GLIMS-S-Level, 20 kg | Finishing the floor | Concrete, gypsum screeds, base levelers | 2-30 mm | 3 kg (layer thickness 2 mm) | 24 hours | 478 rub./pack. |
| Self-leveling floor Perfekta Multilayer, 20 kg | Basic surface leveling | Concrete, cement, gypsum bases | 2-200 mm | 14 (layer thickness 10 mm) | 2-3 hours | 312 RUR/pack. |
3. After the screed has set, check it with a level. If there are unevenness or slopes, pour an additional layer of mortar to level it.
If the screed turns out to be smooth, then we lay waterproofing on top of it. You can use simple roofing felt or any other material intended for these purposes. We lay the lath on top of the insulation. We would advise laying it both lengthwise and crosswise, in the form of rectangles, the sides of which are aligned. Their dimensions should correspond to the dimensions of the slab or be slightly smaller. Coat the rail with glue.
It is also possible to install slabs without using slats. In this case, the concrete screed is coated with rubber glue.
4. Place the slab on the rail. We take a mallet and knock down the slabs as tightly as possible. The tongue should fit completely into the groove. Ideally, there should be no gap between the plates.
5. We fasten the slabs to the lath using nails or self-tapping screws.
Video - Laying OSB on concrete
If OSB is laid directly on the joists, then it is better to install them lengthwise and crosswise. The fact is that OSB is a complex structure and it is unknown how it will behave after drying, shaking, and shrinkage. And laying the logs in the form of rectangles will reduce the load on the slab itself and reduce the likelihood of defects. All other actions that need to be performed are exactly the same as when installing the floor on a screed.
Let me give you one piece of advice. The best, in our opinion, installation of OSB floors is a design that involves the installation of an intermediate subfloor. It will give the entire floor additional strength, stability and significantly reduce the load on the coating itself, i.e. on the slab. As an intermediate floor, you can use the slab itself, plywood, or an old floor. But the latter can only be used if it is well preserved and there are no serious defects. You need to remove everything from him old paint, level, seal cracks. Scratches, sand, treat with an antiseptic and only after these preparatory work you can lay a slab. Actually, both on plywood and on OSB, which will be the subfloor, all defects and cracks also need to be repaired. We have already described the remaining steps for laying the finished floor above.
Video - Do-it-yourself OSB flooring (on joists with insulation)
OSB boards are one of the relatively new building materials, which have recently become increasingly popular. Increased strength and lightness compared to other similar products, good moisture resistance, ease of use and low price are the reason for their use in a variety of types of repair work.
One of the most common uses of oriented strand boards is flooring. In this article we will tell you how to properly install OSB boards and on the floor when using it as a base for various finishing coatings.
How to choose an OSB board for the floor
Due to the growing demand for OSB, there are currently quite a lot of products on the market that differ in both technical specifications, and by the presence of harmful impurities hazardous to human health. Therefore, when choosing a material for renovating a room, you need to follow a few simple recommendations:
Laying OSB on a concrete screed
When replacing the floor in rooms with concrete covering, OSB panels serve as an excellent basis for installing various finishing coatings– linoleum, tiles or parquet board. They perform the following functions:
- Leveling the surface– a concrete floor, as a rule, has a significant difference in height and various types of defects. Laying OSB on a concrete floor will provide a perfectly flat surface suitable for installing any coating;
- Soundproofing. The dense multilayer construction of the slab reliably absorbs all types of noise;
- Insulation and waterproofing. The natural base of the board allows for good heat-saving functions, and the resistance to water, characteristic of products of the OSB-3 class, protects against moisture contained in the concrete base.
Most often, the slabs are laid on wooden blocks, which act as floor joists and allow errors to be smoothed out.
To ensure the necessary rigidity and resistance to deformation, it is better to use two layers of slabs of small thickness (8-10 mm), laid with a slight offset. The layers are attached to each other using special glue and spiral or ring nails.
If there is a level base or using leveling solutions, installation directly on a concrete base is possible. In this case, one layer of slabs is sufficient, which is secured with dowels and screws. How to do this, see the video below:
Since OSB boards are capable of absorbing moisture from the surrounding atmosphere, they can change their size during operation. To compensate for expansion and contraction, special gaps of 3 mm are left between the plates, which are called dilation.
In addition, when installing floating floors, it is necessary to ensure a distance of 10-15 mm from the flooring to the walls.
Installation of base for wooden floors
In rooms installed on flood or columnar foundations, floors are most often laid on wooden logs made of timber or multi-layer boards. In this case, OSB boards can be used as a rough or finished floor, as well as for creating a leveling surface for finishing floor coverings.
Laying OSB on a wooden floor is carried out taking into account the same recommendations for ensuring expansion gaps as in the previous case. When installing a two-layer coating, these requirements apply to both layers.
Features of OSB surface treatment for different types of floor coverings
The unique characteristics of strength and wear resistance, as well as the hard, flat surface of the front part, allow the use of OSB boards as independent material for finished floors, and for preparing the base for all popular types of floor coverings.
Advantages of using OSB for flooring
The use of OSB boards allows you to quickly and efficiently level the floor in any room. In addition, in some cases they are sufficient for use without further finishing. Working with this material has the following advantages:
- It's simple. No special skills or special tools are required. Installation of OSB on the floor can be easily done by any adult with minimal construction skills.
- It's convenient. One OSB board provides even coverage of a large area. The size of the slab allows the joists to be placed at a distance of 56 cm from each other, which is ideal for placement between them modern species insulation.
- It's inexpensive. It compares favorably with many similar materials.
- It's reliable. OSB boards hold all types of fasteners well and are stably fixed in the installed position. They do not deform during long-term use, do not change shape and hold the load well.
OSB is one of the most economical options for quickly independent device floors during renovation or construction.
OSB boards are very popular due to their characteristics, therefore they are very widely used in construction. Depending on the thickness, the slab can perform a load-bearing function even in a damp room. OSB boards consist of stacked, ordered small particles of wood held together by a binder. In this step by step guide we will show you how to install OSB correctly.
Since the composition of the OSB board is such that all its elements are laid in one direction and beautifully aligned, the OSB, even in its untreated state, looks harmonious and, in part, even modern. Besides, modern development technology in industry makes these panels especially strong and resistant to the external environment. Thus, the OSB panel is used for various purposes. Thin options OSB boards are used for the construction of partitions or wall decoration, also for cladding pitched roofs. Thicker slabs are used for flooring.
Tools:
- level
- folding ruler or tape measure
- pencil
- forceps
- screwdriver
- manual circular saw
- hammer
- bracket for laying laminate
- jigsaw
- Japanese saw
- OSB board with grooves
- waterproofing film
- aluminum adhesive tape
- soundproofing underlay
- rule
- wedges
If the floor is laid in a floating manner, this means that the OSB floor slabs should not be attached to the base, but only to each other. This prevents the floor from squeaking, which often occurs when the floor is made of wooden elements in a room where there is a constant change in air pressure and temperature. However, if the floor is laid in a floating manner, it can always expand and contract freely towards the walls without making annoying sounds.
Advantages of OSB boards
Manufacturers of this material produce slabs in four classifications. The first OSB - 1, are panels that are used for making furniture and interior decoration walls, are only suitable for use in low humidity.
OSB - 2 is used in dry rooms, but already has load-bearing properties.
OSB boards - 3, are laid in wet rooms as bases. They are ideal for floating installation in a loft or concrete surface.
The fourth class of OSB are panels that can provide strong load-bearing properties in all areas, even in damp room, such as a bathroom. These panels can be used if the beams in the attic are spaced far enough apart to create a strong floor. If the distance between the beams is a meter or more, then undoubtedly you need to use OSB - 4. Starting from a distance from the beam of about one meter, you should use these panels in any case.
OSB 3 – universal option for flooring
OSB of the third class is an ideal option for flooring in your home. The material has many positive properties, but pay attention to the weight of the sheets. If you want to make a floor on the second floor or attic, raising this material to a height yourself will be difficult or even impossible. Depending on the thickness of the slab, the weight can be from 590 to 610 kilograms per cubic meter.
Sizes of slabs available for sale
- Tongue and groove board size 2500 x 625 mm - 12, 15, 18, 22 and 25 mm
- Size with straight ends 2500 x 1250 mm – 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 22 and 25 mm
Preparatory stage
Advice: the optimal choice is not only to choose thicker OSB boards - 22 or 25 mm in size, but also, if possible, made with grooves and a tenon for connection. This way, you will get higher strength for a floor that will withstand greater weight loads.
Before starting work, check beams and boards for damage caused by worms or rot. If you install new flooring, you will no longer have access to these elements of the house and the ability to change or change anything.
Tip: When purchasing glue, pay attention to Note: Formaldehyde-free glue. This is a more environmentally friendly option, and should be taken even for non-residential premises.
Leveling the floor
An old floor or concrete floor that has been in use for many years will often be slightly uneven, so it will need to be leveled using a leveling layer before installing OSB panels. Otherwise, the slabs will sag or sag over time. It is possible that even with heavy load on the floor they may break.
Now in every hardware store you can buy various mixtures, including expanded clay or something similar.
Before leveling, you must install guides that are backfilled bulk material and are leveled with a rule or a large level, or finally with a flat board. At the end, you need to make sure that everything is level and packed tightly, without holes or protrusions.
When leveling you will need:
- fine expanded clay or leveling mixture
- guides
- rule
- level
Especially if OSB is laid on an old floor made of wooden planks, a vapor barrier is required between them. It's just rugged polyethylene film, which you stick with aluminum adhesive tape. The film should extend well onto the wall so that it will later be higher than your new OSB floor. After all work is completed, the film will be hidden behind the baseboard.
Laying sound insulation
If you are installing OSB not on the first floor, then you additionally need to install soundproofing material. Otherwise, your walking on the floor will be very audible in the room below you. Sound insulation is sold both in rolls and in small mats; it is not very expensive, so there is no need to omit this step.
Laying slabs - first row
Before laying, OSB panels should have time to adapt to room temperature, also like laminate or parquet. Therefore, it is recommended to store the slabs indoors for at least 24 hours before installation to allow them to acclimatize.
Start laying from the longest wall of the room - from the left corner. For slabs that lie against the wall, the lock from the wall is cut off - using circular saw. Then the sheets are aligned along the wall, wedges are installed at a distance of about 80 centimeters from each other - between the plates and the wall to establish a gap of 1.5 to 2 centimeters - this is an expansion joint.
Tip: If you want to glue the floor, you first need to cut all the sheets for one row, and then apply thin layer glue on the joints of the groove and the lock. With the help of an iron bracket, the plates are moved into each other.
The last leaf in the first row should usually be trimmed. To ensure that the seams of the slabs do not fall directly into one row, the cut slab is used as the first element in the next row. Thus, a composition similar to brickwork. Always use enough wedges to ensure the floor is clamped on all sides.
If the remaining piece of sheet that fits in the next row is less than forty centimeters, it is better not to use it, but to find a more suitable half of the sheet.
Hardening and cleaning of glue
Leave the floor undisturbed for at least 24 hours to allow the adhesive to dry. Then you can remove the wedges near the walls. If the finishing coating - laminate, parquet, linoleum, etc. - will not be laid on the OSB, it should be painted or applied with wood wax.
Tip: use wedges good quality, preferably plastic. Wooden wedges partially split even with the first correct blow with a hammer. And soft fibers cannot support a large floating floor.
In a non-occupied attic, you don't have to worry about installing a floating floor, you can simply screw the sheets to the base.
If possible, drill holes for screws and go over the holes with a countersink. This way the screws will be recessed into the OSB sheets and you won't be able to hit them with your shoes.
Tip: If the room is not heated, you should use screws that do not rust due to high air humidity. Screws made from stainless steel, because they can be unscrewed even after several years of use in a humid environment.
Double OSB decking
In case of not very solid foundation from rotting boards or beams or with a large distance between them, experts recommend using two layers of OSB boards. For example, sheets with a thickness of 10 or 12 millimeters are taken, the first layer is screwed on, and then thinner sheets of 8 millimeters are attached in the opposite direction. In this case, it is necessary to carefully ensure that the seams of the plates never coincide.
An additional advantage of this method is the price, since sheets with a straight end cost less, and the small thickness of the sheets also saves money. Although the floor in this version will be thinner than a floating one, it will be much more stable and stronger.
Oriented strand boards (OSB) are a relatively new type 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;
- floor slab can be used for finishing unheated room or baths;
- the surface does not crumble;
- environmentally friendly;
- natural ingredients are used in the production process wood shavings;
- easy to install;
- has a low price;
- with one element you can process large plot gender;
- 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:
- Uneven areas are found using building level. Loose or raised floorboards must be pulled to the joists. For this, special dowels are used.
- The paint is being removed from the floor. Sanding machine or use sandpaper to remove blisters.
- Products are laid out on the floor surface. Cross joints must be avoided.
- Gaps are left between adjacent panels. Their size should not exceed 3 mm.
- 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.
- Countersinking is performed for the screw heads.
- 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 coating on a floor with a 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:
- debris is removed from the concrete surface;
- if necessary, it is further leveled;
- A primer is applied to the concrete for better adhesion. adhesive composition with base;
- the panels are laid out on the surface to be treated;
- on inner side glue with a rubber base is applied to the plates;
- sheets are glued to concrete;
- the coating is additionally fixed using driven dowels;
- There should be seams between the panels to compensate for deformation changes in the products;
- at final finishing they are filled with polyurethane foam;
- After drying, excess foam is removed using 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 the 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, additionally added to the design vapor barrier films or membranes.
When executing installation work rules must be followed:
- expansion joints must remain between the adjacent sheets;
- the slabs are laid across wooden blocks;
- for fixing wood panels self-tapping screws or special nails are used;
- 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:
- logs are attached to the foundation or attached;
- the fastening pitch depends on the thickness of the sheets used (it increases with increasing material thickness);
- a rough roll is installed on the surface of the lag;
- the main covering is laid on top and secured;
- his inner surface processed using waterproofing materials;
- a vapor barrier layer and insulation are installed on the panel;
- 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 process and additional processing fine shavings and wood dust are generated, which can damage your 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.
