OSB Stair Treads
OSB plywood is an abbreviated name used by builders to refer to oriented strand board, which is an engineered lumber. It's created out of a bunch of split up wood strands and can be used for stair treads and risers. It's usually cheaper than plywood and used by home builders, across the United States.
Benefits Of Using Oriented Strand Board For Stair Treads And Risers
1. It's one of the cheapest materials you can use for stair treads and
risers. It's an extremely durable product and eventually, I think it
might replace plywood.
If you're planning on building a set of stairs and your trying to
complete the project, on a budget, I would recommend using OSB for your
stair treads and risers.
Disadvantages Of Using OSB For Stair Treads
1. If it gets wet it can expand and weaken. I'm not familiar with any
exterior grades OSB, but I don't think I would use it on the exterior of
the building, anyway. Solid wood might be a better choice, because it
won't be affected as much as engineered lumber, will be, from moisture,
cold and heat.
2. OSB is more fragile than plywood and can break a little easier. If
you were using this product for your stair treads and you had a nosing.
It could actually break off, if enough pressure was applied to it or if
a large object dropped on the edge of the stair treads.
I've actually crushed the edge of a stair nosing off that was made out
of oriented strand board, with my foot (attached to a heavy workers
boot). I was trying to prove a point to another carpenter. Since he lost
the bet, he was the one responsible for replacing the stair tread.
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