OSB vs CDX plywood for sheathing?

[Tommy2000GT]

When my house was remolded last year the contractor used OSB.

Right now my detached garage is being rebuilt by a different contractor. He is using CDX plywood APA rated. He claims it's better.

So which is better? I typically see OSB when houses are being built here.

 

[Greenman]

The last information I saw said OSB had better sheer value. Every set of plans I look at the engineer specs plywood or OSB. The only time it would matter is if he's using 3 ply plywood, it's junk.

 

[Tommy2000GT]

The last information I saw said OSB had better sheer value. Every set of plans I look at the engineer specs plywood or OSB. The only time it would matter is if he's using 3 ply plywood, it's junk.

It's 4 ply plywood. However it's not structural 1 rated. Also I looked carefully and no where does it have CDX stamped on it. It says APA rated sheathing PS2-10.

The OSB that was used on the house was structural 1 rated.

Will this be a concern?

 

[Greenman]

Never heard of 4 ply, sure you counted right?

As for it being a concern, it's a detached garage, so it really doesn't matter. Even 3 ply would be good enough for a garage. If this was for sheer walls on a 2 story structure I'd have a different opinion.

 

[paperfist]

OSB sucks.

 

[Greenman]

OSB sucks.

I don't like the look of it, but from a performance, cost, and sustainability stand point, it can't be beat.

 

[paperfist]

I don't like the look of it, but from a performance, cost, and sustainability stand point, it can't be beat.

I've never used it in a structural situation, but I've seen it get wet and not hold up well. It's seems to be very flexible compared to plywood of the same thickness. Whenever I drive screws into it they don't hold quite as well as if it were plywood.

That's where my OSB sucks comments come from. I'd personally never use it for anything but shelf's.

 

[Greenman]

I use a lot of it, and virtually all of it is for roof and structural sheathing. It works.