OSB as exterior sheeting?

[PILOON]

I built a 12 x 16 shed with OSB as you propose doing some 18 yrs ago.
The exterior was coated with an opaque oil based stain (Cabot, I think) in a dark green called 'Bark' that blended nicely with the forest colors.
Has stood up extreemly well.
Perhaps the fact that the overhangs are 16" helped keep the siding relativly dry was a factor.
And I'll add that I stll have not re stained and am quite sure that the OSB wold still be close to origional thickness.

Good luck.

 

[saltman]

If you want the shed to last I wouldn't use OSB. The other problem with the OSB is mold, it aborbs mosture and you could have mold problems in your climate.

T-111 may be more expensive now but in the long run you would save a lot of headache. The other option is tin sideing it's inexpensive and will last a long time.

Time is money, it's going to take a while to prime all the OSB and then seal the edges and then paint it. Kills isn't cheap either.

Just some thoughts. Hey put a few headers in the shed and throw in a few windows!

 

[RichNJKubota]

Well over 20 years ago I used OSB on a chicken coop. I would have rather used plywood but the OSB was so much cheaper I thought I'd give it a try. It's still fine to this day.

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm curiose how mold will affect OSB? It's got more resin in it than just about anything, making it a lousy place for organisms to life. It's only weekness is if the edges start to hold water. In time, they will start tow absorb water and will expand. Seal the ends and OSB is just fine left open to the elements.

The only issue is if it's ugly or not. I don't think so, but I like rustic and buildings with character. Others have different tastes and disagree.

Eddie

 

[Farwell]

Eddie,
I had OSB on my roof that didn't get any ventilation and it did mold or mildewed. It all turned black and swelled to almost twice its normal size. This is because the previous owner went the cheap route and did not install soffit vents and roof vents. The lack of ventilation caused all of the house moisture to stay on the base side of the OSB. The 1"x8"s under the OSB were also rotted and had to be replaced.
OSB on the walls of a building will last for years without any paint and will last longer if painted. It may not be pretty but works great. Covering it with vinyl is even better.
I see quite a few OSB covered houses in the rural areas of Michigan that have been there for years.
David B

 

[slowzuki]

Up here osb is called chipboard or $#^board for those who don't like it. We have an 18 x 16 shed sheathed with stained osb and it is going on 22 years now. Just as ugly as the day it was put up but solid and not problems with the osb.

I really dislike the look of it but it lasts well for the price.

Eddie,
I had OSB on my roof that didn't get any ventilation and it did mold or mildewed. It all turned black and swelled to almost twice its normal size. This is because the previous owner went the cheap route and did not install soffit vents and roof vents. The lack of ventilation caused all of the house moisture to stay on the base side of the OSB. The 1"x8"s under the OSB were also rotted and had to be replaced.
OSB on the walls of a building will last for years without any paint and will last longer if painted. It may not be pretty but works great. Covering it with vinyl is even better.
I see quite a few OSB covered houses in the rural areas of Michigan that have been there for years.
David B

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie,
I had OSB on my roof that didn't get any ventilation and it did mold or mildewed. It all turned black and swelled to almost twice its normal size. This is because the previous owner went the cheap route and did not install soffit vents and roof vents. The lack of ventilation caused all of the house moisture to stay on the base side of the OSB.

OK, you bring up a good point, but I think in your situation, any wood material would have had similar, if not worse results. I also think that all other products would have had mildew issues in that situation. When it's done wrong, it won't matter what is used.

Eddie

 

[saltman]

Mold likes moist warm environments, here in San Diego it grows almost everywhere that holds moisture. I would imagine Louisiana would be the same if not worse. If you have good ventalation and low humidity it may not be a problem. Having said that if you hung interior plywood on the exterior that wasn't treated you would also have a problem. Whatever you use you will have to take precautions to avoid moisture, ie felt paper, caulking and a good roof system with ventalation.

If the t-111 is 20 bucks a sheet and the OSB is 6.00 dollars a sheet your savings for a 12x 12 shed is only 168.00. With the time you spend to seal it and take all the necessary precautions it's not worth it to me. If you want rustic then lap siding, redwood or cedar would be rustic.

It just makes little sense to me to spend the time and effort on something that's simply not made for that application.

Another thing to consider is thickness, t-111 or similar exterior siding doesn't come in 7/8 thickness, it's normally closer to 3/4 inch. A few drunk guys would have no problem kicking through a shed sided with 7/8 OSB!
I made the mistake of using it on the roof of my tractor shed and it was pretty scary when I put the roofing on.