Osb longevity

[Rio_Grande]

I am going to build a few 8x8 deer blinds this year and in an effort to keep the prices down I was thinking about using 7/16 osb which is about 1/3 the price of standard sheeting. Just wondering if we paint the osb how long could we expect it to last?

 

[OZisKTB]

Lots of literature showing OSB is as good or better than plywood. My experience is OSB fails quickly through swelling edges if not protected from water exposure. If your OSB will have the edges, even painted, exposed I'd think of different sheathing.

 

[tcartwri]

About a year.

 

[Gary Fowler]

At about 15 to 30 bucks a gallon for paint, it doesn't take much to make up the price difference to a marine grade of plywood that will last years and years without any paint. I never liked OSB as I always found that small pieces always de-laminate and turn into large splinters ready to injure you.

 

[MacLawn]

I wouldn't use the mess for outdoor. All the work, gone sooner than ye think, the ye have to do job again. Like they say, pay now or pay later.

 

[/pine]

[off topic]
When OSB first came out as a sheathing alternative to plywood the fact that it could be laid either across or with the framing members made it somewhat desirable because it saved some waste...however it was very slick on both sides and made it unsafe to walk on on roof rakes of much pitch at all...it was not long before they started putting a texture on one side...

 

[MH8675309]

Paint edges and all - I've seen it last ten years and still have nail holding ability

 

[BKBrown]

If it can dry out and the paint is good, it will last a long time. If it stays wet, or the paint holds water, it will swell and begin to fall apart.

 

[deerseeker001]

I have to agree with Gary the Marine plywood is the way to go.

At about 15 to 30 bucks a gallon for paint, it doesn't take much to make up the price difference to a marine grade of plywood that will last years and years without any paint. I never liked OSB as I always found that small pieces always de-laminate and turn into large splinters ready to injure you.

 

[s219]

I've seen OSB scrap get ruined by rain in a few weeks. On the other hand, I have had regular old 15/32" plywood side boards on my trailer for 7 years now. It turned gray, but is still holding up OK and functioning fine. It was scrap, so I figured no big deal if it only lasted a little while, but it's far exceeded my expectations.

By the time you paint/treat OSB, you may as well have gone with plywood to save time/money.