OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is a type of engineered wood product that has gained popularity for use in the manufacturing of RV's. OSB is a type of plywood layered with thin sheets of wood oriented in different directions. OSB has been manufactured and used for over 50 years because it provides an economical, durable and strong material to use during the construction process. The following paragraphs will discuss how OSB is used in the manufacturing of RV's.
It's important to note that not all RVs are manufactured using OSB. Manufacturers have various types of products that they use to construct their vehicles, including plywood, chipboard and other wood-based products. To ensure the quality of your RV is good, it is recommended to check with the manufacturer or dealer about what type of wood-based products were used when manufacturing your particular unit.
The RV Industry Association is projecting RV shipments to reach 600,000 units in 2022. This is an increase of 3.9% from the anticipated 577,200 units in 2021, and a 39% increase from the 430,412 units in 2020.
How Is OSB Used in RV's
OSB is typically used in the construction of floors, ceilings and sidewalls of RVs. When OSB is used to construct RV sidewalls, it must be oriented in both directions (horizontally and vertically) so that it exhibits strength throughout its thickness and width with the smooth side facing out. When used as a ceiling material, it is recommended to use it vertically (with the grain direction running from one end of the sheet to another).
When OSB is used in manufactured as a flooring material, it must be oriented horizontally (with the grains running side-to-side) to carry the weight of the cabinets, counters, and other items placed on RV floors.
Recommended OSB and Plywood Rating When Used in RV's
When manufacturing or repairing RV's there are recommended ratings that should be adhered to:
- APA Rated Sturd-I-Floor is recommended for the flooring as it is specifically designed for all subfloor-underlayment situations. It provides a smooth surface for attaching tile or carpeting to. Used as a single floored panel, OSB has a high concentrated- and impact-load resistance. In situations where a high amount of moisture will be present, it is suggested to use the C-C PLUGGED sanded exterior panels.
- C-D Plugged Exposure 1 panels are used for bed bottoms and other structural applications where appearance is not important. This grade is particularly popular for RV flooring, but lacks the puncture resistance of STURD-I-FLOOR and Underlayment grades.
- C-C Plugged Exterior panels are ideal for tile backing. A-D Exposure 1 and A-C Exterior are sanded grades for applications where the appearance of only one side is important – built-ins, cabinets, shelving, countertops, paneling, and front-end and sidewall linings.
- B-D Exposure 1 and B-C Exterior are utility sanded panels with one smooth side used for backing, built-ins and bed bottoms.
- Medium Density Overlay (MDO) panels provide an ideal base for paint and exhibit excellent abrasion resistance in such applications as cabinets and built-ins.
NOTE: Some manufacturers will use plywood (which is typically made with hardwood veneers) for flooring ceilings and sidewalls in RVs. If a manufacturer is using a combination of OSB and plywood materials, they have to ensure that each material's thicknesses are compatible to give adequate support to one another.
As mentioned above, OSB is often used as wall and roof sheathing on RVs, the thin material that covers the skeleton of an RV. To build this type of sheathing for an RV, plywood layers are glued together into large sheets that range from 4 feet by 8 feet to 9 feet by 16 feet in size. These sheets of plywood will be cut down to smaller sizes depending on their intended use, such as walls or roofs, and then they are installed into the RV. OSB is one of the most popular types of material used to build wall and roof sheathing on RVs because it meets many requirements that must meet in order to be cost-effective, strong and durable.
Oriented Strand Board is very strong and durable, making it a great choice for use as a building material on an RV. Because of the sealant used in OSB, it will not rot or decay easily allowing it to last from 10-20 years on average. This long-lasting durability of OSB is especially important when building the walls and roofs of RVs because these areas experience harsh weather conditions such as rain, sun damage and snow. The extreme weather conditions can eventually break down other types of wood sheathing like plywood, making them less effective as wall and roof sheathing on RVs.
With its strong, durable and cost-efficient properties, it's no wonder that OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is one of the most popular types of building material used on RVs. The manufacturing of RVs and other types of buildings and structures, such as commercial buildings or residential homes, requires the use of strong, durable materials.
Another advantage of using OSB in RV's is that it is a "ready-made" wood product meaning it can be purchased at a local hardware store and then used during the manufacturing process of an RV. Ready-made materials like OSB are usually much cheaper than other types of building material such as plywood. They also provide the same high-quality results when used in construction projects. So, if you are looking to save money or if you want to use what is readily available from your local hardware store, taking advantage of ready-made products like OSB can help you do this.
In conclusion, OSB is a great choice for use as a building material for RVs because of its ability to be manufactured quickly and economically in large quantities, so little waste occurs. In addition, OSB is very strong and durable, making it a good choice for use on the walls and roofs of RVs, where harsh weather conditions can take a toll on other types of wood sheathing. The only real disadvantage that OSB has is that it does not have the same amount of strength as plywood making it unsuitable for some areas of an RV or building.
