Osb and plywood: What's the difference?

[New_Crater]

Plywood is made from thin sheets of veneer that are peeled off a log. Picture a giant pencil sharpener. These sheets are laminated together in a hot press to make plywood.

OSB is made from wood ground into thin wood strands. These strands are mixed with wax and adhesive and then hot pressed. Approximately 50 layers of strands make one sheet of OSB

Does anyone have a preference as to one over the other? If so, why?

[Crate Crazy]

From what I have seen, specific to crating, is that both types are commonly used. I suppose aside from watching the market price for each material to determine the most cost effective... the main other differentiation point would be the image.

Many companies don't use OSB only due to looks... right or wrong, it is what it is

[staffort]

There is most certainly a preference for OSB over plywood if you are shipping wood packaging containing these items to Australia. Over the summer, Australia enacted new import regulations for plywood and veneer, and will no longer accept wood packaging containing these items, even if they are IPPC marked, UNLESS YOU DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

1. Sign a packaging declaration stating the plywood or veneer was manufactured less than 90 days from your shipping date. This declaration also gives the date and location where it was manufactured. OR

2. Provide either a Fumigation or Heat Treatment declaration, indicating the wood packaging has been treated in accordance with Australia timber wood packaging import requirements. Please note this would be IN ADDITION TO THE IPPC MARK ON THE CRATES, ETC.

The good news is that OSB, along with some other processed wood materials such as composite, fiber board, wafer board, etc. are NOT considered timber wood packaging by Australia customs. Therefore, if you use one of these instead, or construct you packaging entirely of solid wood, you do not have to deal with the restrictions and paperwork previously discussed.

[foxtrot]

Does this mean that using OSB for my shipments to Australia is going to save me on paperwork?

[staffort]

Yes, it will certainly save you time on paperwork, as you will not need the plywood declaration at all, and will need only the standard packing declaration that Australia requires on ALL wood packaging. It can also be difficult to determine the manufacture date for plywood, since not all of it is stamped with month and year it was made.

[Crate Crazy]

As posted in the ISPM 15 Inspection and Eradication section, Australia has changed its rules on ISPM 15 regulations.

For details you can visit - http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import/g...y-requirements.

[CBC]

We have found that OSB is at a much cheaper overall cost compared to plywood. We are have also been able to implement this into our "Think Green" sales marketing since OSB is made of 100% recycled lumber. From a structural standpoint we've found that OSB has the lesser nail bonding strength.