OSB as building exterior sheathing

OSB is used as substitute of plywood for building exterior sheathing, especially in US, but also for a large proportion of Canada. This trend is continuing. OSB properties

OSB has been gaining popularity since 1980's in the North America in the construction industry, especially the new residential house sector . Vapor permeability of OSB is a few time lower than that of plywood, and more than a magnitude lower than that of the fiberboard Wall with OSB

With the use of vapor barrier on the warm side and OSB on the cold side for walls in cold climates, a sealed space is created over the wood studs and insulation, moisture inside the space can accumulate due to initial moisture in the wood, imperfection in the vapor barrier, and exfiltration-carried moisture. The drying potential of the sealed space is very low. Current research

Research projects been carried out and some of them have the primary objective on OSB.

IRC/NRC measured properties of OSB,

Hens, H. and other in Europe did research on both properties measurement and experiments of OSB in use, (in Europe, OSB is chipboard)

[New, 2003]MEWS project had extensive 2D computer simulation of hygrothermal performance of walls with OSB sheathing. Link Opportunity