OSB Board vs Chipboard - Which is Best?
Author Chigwell Building & Joinery
Date 01/04/23
Constructing any form of building is a monumental task in every way, from contractors, to architects, to tool choice and permits from local authorities.
One such dilemma is choosing the right type of material for subfloors, roof underlayment and other solid surfaces.
OSB (oriented strand board) and chipboard are two highly popular choices in interior construction.
This article compares OSB and Chipboard and explains which is the better choice of the two.
Table of Contents
What is a Substrate?
A biological substrate is an underlying substance or layer upon which an organism or object can grow.
However, in construction terms, a substrate is merely a supporting layer to the primary material layer.
Regarding OSB, the substrate is wood strands compressed horizontally and laterally in alternating layers.
OSB and chipboard can be defined as substrates as they are not naturally occurring wood products.
What is OSB Board?
OSB Board. Image credit: Wikipedia
OSB (Oriented Strand Board) is wood made from perpendicular layers of wood glued together using high pressure and resin.
The strands in the OSB board are generally flat and rectangular, arranged in perpendicular layers.
OSB particles are fixed in place using waterproof adhesives and resin for the final, pre-polished product.
OSB is a cheaper alternative to plywood, with similar strength and durability but a significantly lower cost.
OSB Particle Shape
Their particle shapes can define OSB and chipboard.
The uniquely long, thin wood particles used to make the material define OSB.
Chipboard is defined by the shorter, square chunks used to construct the material.
While breaking apart building material is inadvisable, examining the fresh-cut edge of either material reveals the distinct difference.
OSB Board Structure
OSB and chipboard feature different board structures.
OSB is composed of resin-impregnated wood strips arranged in parallel layers.
Additionally, OSB panels are heat-sealed on all edges to ensure durability.
Chipboard panels are wood particles mixed with resins.
The mixture is dried and fed to a board chipper.
The resulting powder combines with more resin and is molded, pressed, and dried.
Typical Uses of OSB
OSB is typically used in construction as floor or wall sheathing.
It is an inexpensive, effective and strong construction material.
Chipboard is an excellent material for bespoke wardrobes, dressers, nightstands, headboards, and more.
In addition, chipboard is an ideal material in attic flooring or rooms where comfort and aesthetics are not a concern.
OSB Pros & Cons
Chipboard and OSB have their pros and cons.
OSB is cheaper to manufacture than traditional wood flooring or chipboard.
However, its ability to retain moisture raises mould and warping concerns, particularly in warm climates.
Chipboard is a cheap building material used in household fixtures or flooring.
However, chipboard is less durable than traditional wood due to its construction and is prone to splitting or cracking when cut or placed under heavy pressure.
What is Chipboard?
Chipboard. Image credit: Wikipedia
Chipboard is a cheap and readily available building material constructed from wood chips and resin.
Chipboard is created by binding wood chips with resin and pressing the mixture under high pressure into molds.
Sawdust and recycled wood are used for chipboard in other applications.
Chipboard is a non-ideal building material in wet climates due to its tendency to retain moisture.
Unfortunately, that provides the potential for rot to set in.
However, chipboard is ideal for furniture construction in dry climates due to its strength and durability.
Chipboard Particle Shape
Chipboard can have many different particle shapes.
However, the most common particle shapes for chipboard are longer, rectangular wood chunks.
Sawdust or recycled shredded wood are frequently used to make chipboard.
OSB must be moulded in specific layers, yet chipboard can be made from shredded wood.
Chipboard is therefore an excellent method of reusing old wood chunks.
Chipboard Structure
Chipboard is small wood particles mixed with resin, then allowed to dry in pressed molds.
The structure of the board will depend on the particle size.
Bigger wood chips yield a more chunky design if cross-sectioned, while sawdust chipboard will appear smoother.
Typical Uses of Chipboard
Chipboard is a common material in furniture and interior home accents, which is protected by a veneer.
Chipboard can be found in kitchen countertop structures, soundproofing, and packaging.
While chipboard requires vinyl or formica edge banding or coating as a veneer, chipboard is also popular when the top layer is polished and clear-sealed.
When painted, chipboard is a strong, low-cost furniture material - think IKEA!
OSB is generally found in home construction but is also used in furniture.
Typically, OSB is used in underfloor layers, wall sheathing, roof covers, and i-joists in commercial and residential buildings.
However, OSB will be used in furniture frames, decorative paneling, pallets, and packaging.
While mainly intended for commercial and residential construction, OSB is another viable alternative to chipboard and traditional plywood.
Chipboard Pros & Cons
OSB and chipboard are valuable materials.
However, they have positives and negatives, as with any building material.
OSB is a cheap, light, and robust alternative to plywood.
Therefore, OSB is an excellent material in commercial and residential construction.
However, OSB absorbs and retains moisture exceptionally well, making it susceptible to rot in humid climates.
When using OSB in humid areas, 1/8 inch minimum spacing between boards allows for swelling and expansion.
Chipboard is a solid alternative to plywood or OSB due to its low cost, strength, and durability.
Chipboard is excellent for furniture frames, countertop foundations, paneling, or recreational equipment frames.
Additionally, chipboard is made from 70% recycled materials and is considered more environmentally friendly.
However, chipboard has disadvantages compared to plywood.
Chipboard retains moisture exceptionally well, making it unusable in wet conditions due to swelling.
Additionally, chipboard responds poorly to cutting, often leaving jagged edges or missing chunks.
Finally, the particle shapes respond poorly to saw blades.
Chipboard is also prone to cracking and splintering when using fasteners, making it a problematic building material.
Key Differences
OSB and chipboard are both decent plywood alternatives.
They are much cheaper and equivalent in strength in certain settings.
However, they have fundamental differences.
OSB comprises long, narrow wood chunks laid in perpendicular layers and bound with resin and waterproof adhesives.
Chipboards are molded from wood chips, sawdust, or recycled wood; which are inserted into a shredder, then bound with resin.
OSB is better for residential or commercial construction, while chipboard is best for indoor finishing.
Conclusion
As you will have discovered, both OSB board and chipboard are two very adaptable and useful building materials.
But the key differences between the two are how they can be used and where they can’t.
OSB board is most certainly the most adaptable of the two and tends to be used in its original state for underlayments and substrates in buildings.
Chipboard however tends to be used to construct furniture yet requires a protective veneer to keep moisture away.
So in answer to the question, which is best? The simple answer is neither.
It greatly depends on your intended use and the lifespan you expect from the material.
Both are both affordable and excellent choices in the right setting.
Used incorrectly, and they will both expose their flaws.
