OSB-stove for the floor: types, prices, reviews. Floor leveling with OSB-plate

The construction market offers many materials for floor design, as well as its alignment. As a basis, a concrete screed or self-leveling mixture is usually used . In this case, the reliability and durability of the rough coat is achieved, on which it is possible to lay decorative decking. And yet the use of concrete screed is not always possible, and special solutions with the effect of leveling are quite expensive. Replace the functions of both materials allows the OSB-slab for the floor, which provides a substantial safety margin and is easy to install. This coating is a wood-chip board, which is made from long chips of coniferous species. In terms of performance, this material compares favorably with MDF and chipboard, although the cost of such a solution is also considerable. How justified use of such sheets as a floor covering and how to properly perform their installation, will help understand the review below.

Characteristics of OSB-plates

Manufacturers offer material in a wide range of sizes, but there are limitations. So, the size range for the length is 24.4-28 cm, and the width - 6-25 cm. From the point of view of the floor installation, the thickness that varies from 0.6 to 2.2 cm is the most important. This parameter is the main criterion Choice in this case, since it will depend on the reliability and durability of the floor. The greater the thickness, the higher the load that the OSB plate can withstand . The use of such panels for the floor is matched with mechanical influences, which must be resisted by the wood-chip structure of the coating. But as the thickness increases, the height of the room will also be reduced, so it is important to balance the strength and lifting of the floor. The structural data of the material is also important. The ends of the panels can be straight or spaced. The second variant, by the way, assumes a connection of the "spike-groove" type, which provides a high density of adhesion.

Variety of plates

There are several types of such plates. They differ in their performance characteristics, allowing to take into account the specifics and conditions of operation of the coating in a particular room. The simplest version of the material is the OSB-1 series, which has minimal elasticity modulus for bending and can only be used in conditions of low humidity. Then follows OSB-plate for the floor of the second category, which can be used for the manufacture of load-bearing structures and under the condition of absolute dryness. In other words, this material is already suitable for laying on the floor. Even more beneficial in terms of reliability OSB-3 plate, which combines the advantages of the first two options. Such sheets can be used as an element of the supporting structure, not paying attention to high humidity. The OSB-4 model is most advantageous in terms of its operational properties. In this case, there is an increased strength and ability to withstand the abundant effects of moisture.

The choice of the optimal OSB-slab for the floor

The main thing when choosing this material is not to mix up the floor models with slabs for decorative cladding and roofing. There are no special markings for the purpose of these panels, but one can be guided by categories. So, the optimal OSB-slab for the floor has a third category. Such panels meet the requirements for strength and are able to withstand the effects of moisture. Of course, the quality of flooring will only benefit if you buy a model of the fourth category, but in this case, the cost will increase significantly. Another important criterion of choice is environmental friendliness. Adding synthetic components and resins lowers the environmental safety of the material, but there are also different options. The most harmless and close to natural wood is the Canadian product, which corresponds to the European standard of environmental safety E1.

Stacking technique for concrete

The work should begin with a thorough cleaning. The fact is that the panels will be fixed not by means of nails, but by planting on the adhesive base, so it is very important to ensure the cleanliness of the concrete surface. Even fine dust can affect the quality of adhesion, so it will not be superfluous to vacuum the place of installation. Before you begin the installation of the floor OSB-slab, you must primetovanie concrete primer. This is done again to increase the adhesion of the adhesive. Next, the material is cut, then the marking of the laying zone follows, so that the walls have deformation gaps of about 3-5 mm. Between the panels are made the same intervals.

Placing of plates is made with a shift of seams in two adjacent elements. That is, cross-shaped zones should not be formed, where four corners of the different panels meet. As for the adhesive, it is desirable to use rubber parquet. If you use the OSB-slab for a floor, the thickness of which exceeds 2 cm, it will not be superfluous to provide additional fastening with the help of driving dowels.

Stacking on the plank floor

In the case of wood, you can use fasteners in the form of nails. Metalware can be drowned in a board, as is done in the case of ordinary lags when fixing on the lathing. As the operation is completed, the working areas should be modified with the help of an electric or a hand-operated planer. Thanks to these tools, in particular, irregularities on the surface are eliminated. It should be taken into account that the leveling of the wooden floor with the OSB-slab will provide a good result only if the roughboard surface has no serious defects. Therefore, the plane or grinder should be used also before laying the panels. The angle configuration in this case is the same as in the case of concrete. At the final stage, you should perform and polishing the joints. Again, the best result will be obtained only by special equipment. For example, the vibrating grinder provides high-quality processing combined with grinding mesh for gypsum board.

Preparation for finishing

Plates can be used both as a basis for further floor design, and as an independent finish coat. In both cases, it is important to ensure a basic leveling of the floor with the OSB stove, and then proceed to the final stage of the finish. So, if you plan to use the material as an upper finishing layer, it will not be superfluous to give its surface aesthetic appearance. It is done with the help of paint and varnish coatings after cleaning the plates. It is enough to apply two layers of paint or varnish. If it is planned to use a separate decorative coating, special preparation may be required. For example, in the case of installing a laminate, it is desirable to lay the substrate, and before laying the roll materials, a smooth surface of the plates is provided with a grinder. It is also possible to lay ceramic tiles with porcelain stoneware, but this flooring should only be carried out on thick OSB panels.

How much do OSB plates cost?

Prices vary in a fairly wide corridor. Specific figures are determined by a variety of factors, including performance, size, manufacturer, etc. The cheapest category includes thin and demanding OSB slabs for the floor - the price in this case can be 170-190 rubles. For 1 m ² . These are models of the second and third class. If you need more quality material, then you should refer to the OSB-4 panels. In this category, you can find high-strength coatings at a price of 300-350 rubles. For m ² .

Reviews of OSB plates

Builders note that the material is easy to install due to its light weight and ease of handling. Plates are easily adjusted to the dimensions of any configuration. From the point of view of exploitation, the material also shows itself worthily. But without certain flaws, unfortunately, it does not do. For example, some owners of such coatings complain about the noise that causes the OSB-slab for the floor. Reviews indicate that in combination with parquet and laminate such panels creak. As a rule, this is due to incorrect stacking technology, in which the substrate device was not provided. It should also be taken into account that OSB sheets can not be used in rooms, which are subject to increased fire safety requirements.

Conclusion

A group of wood-chip materials in the circles of specialists has long been considered obsolete. The functions of the same chipboard or MDF are replaced today with plastics, composites and technological mixtures for floor laying. In turn, OSB-slab for floor can be considered as a more perfect means of finishing, the performance qualities of which have been increased due to synthetic additives. On the one hand, it went into plus material, but on the other hand - the wood foundation lost almost the only unique advantage in the form of naturalness. In fact, the texture of wood and its appearance remained, but otherwise such panels are a hybrid of the old particle board and new synthetic building materials.