Can’t argue with the budget appeal of OSB, but I’ve actually started leaning more toward plywood for any projects where there’s even a slight risk of leaks or moisture. Had a place a few years back where we did the roof deck in OSB to save money, and after one bad storm, a couple sheets swelled up and had to be replaced. Not the end of the world, but it definitely ate into whatever we saved up front.
That said, I’ve seen some of the newer, higher-density OSB do alright—especially if it’s kept dry during install and gets sealed up quickly. Maybe it’s more about the handling and less about the material in some cases. Still, for rental properties where I know I won’t be able to check on things as often, I’d rather spend a bit more for peace of mind.
Trusses vs. rafters is a whole other animal, but for sheathing, I just keep coming back to plywood unless the budget is super tight. Just my two cents...
Plywood’s definitely got that edge for peace of mind, especially if you’re not going to be around to babysit the property. I’ve seen the same thing with OSB—looks good on paper, but one wet season or a missed flashing detail and suddenly you’re replacing sheets. Ever notice how OSB just doesn’t seem to recover once it swells? It’s like it stays spongy forever.
I’m with you on the newer OSB holding up better, but even then, I always worry about the install window. If you get caught by a surprise rain before it’s sealed up, it’s a roll of the dice. Plywood’s not perfect, but I’ve seen it bounce back from a little moisture way better.
Do you find you end up using different sheathing for steeper roofs or is it more about the property type for you? I’ve had some folks swear by OSB for big, simple roof shapes where the risk is lower, but I’m always a little hesitant. Maybe I’m just overly cautious, but like you said, it’s not worth the headache for rentals.
- Gotta admit, I lean toward OSB more than most folks here, especially for new builds where budget’s tight.
- If you tape seams right away and get underlayment on quick, I’ve seen OSB hold up fine, even with a bit of rain.
- Plywood’s nice, but price difference adds up fast on bigger jobs.
- For steeper roofs, I don’t really change up the sheathing—more about how fast you can dry it in, honestly.
- Had a buddy do a whole duplex with OSB last year, no issues, but he was on top of it with the weather. Guess it’s all about timing and keeping an eye on the forecast...
Figuring out roof support: choosing between rafters and trusses
I’ve been going back and forth on this myself for a while. My place is a 70s ranch with a low-ish pitch, and when I started poking around the attic, I realized how different things would be if it was built today. Trusses seem like the obvious choice for new builds—cheaper, faster, and you don’t have to be a master carpenter to get them up straight. But I kinda like the idea of rafters for the flexibility, especially if you ever want to finish out the attic or run weird ductwork.
On the sheathing, I’ve used OSB for a shed roof and it held up fine, but I was sweating bullets watching the weather app every day. If you’re not quick with the underlayment, it gets sketchy fast. Plywood’s definitely pricier, but I feel like it’s a little more forgiving if you get a surprise shower.
If I had to do it again, I’d probably go trusses for the main structure, but maybe stick with plywood if I could swing it, just for peace of mind. Anyone else ever regret not spending the extra on plywood, or am I just overthinking it?
I’ve seen a lot of roofs after storms, and honestly, OSB tends to swell or delaminate way faster than plywood if it gets wet—even just a little. Plywood’s more forgiving, especially if you’re in a spot where sudden rain is a thing. Trusses are great for speed and cost, but if you ever want to use the attic, rafters give you more options. Out of curiosity, how’s your ventilation up there? Sometimes that ends up being the bigger headache than the sheathing itself.
