4 ms·

OSB is fine with a proper WRB, vapor control and venting. Things like rainscreen/strapping under siding and roofing go a long way of letting your house dry ou

• forgetfreeman 4y ago
  Sure it is, for the first year. Or the first five years. Or however long it takes for a caulk seam around a window or door to get sprung or a plumbing fitting somewhere to develop a drip. How long do you expect your home to last without major restoration work? The fact that you have to cut that many backflips just to get the stuff to work should tell you something. Once it finally does get wet all hell breaks loose because OSB cannot tolerate wetting cycles in the same way plywood can. If you're ever curious about just how big the gap in durability is here's a free demonstration: next time you see a new house going up stop by after the framing crew has the place sheathed and ask for a small scrap of OSB sheathing and plywood they have sitting in the scrap pile. Take both home and let them sit out in the yard for six months. The plywood will warp a bit, and it might discolor. The OSB will disintegrate unless you live in a desert.