The HVAC should be on and running for 5 – 7 days before installing any finished flooring to allow sub-flooring panels to acclimate to living conditions.
Before applying paint, varnish, oil or similar products, it is important to keep in mind that engineered wood products first have to be acclimatised. OSB boards are made from a natural raw material, and the larger wood strands in it tend to expand or shrink depending on the ambient moisture.
The key takeaway is that even though many sources instruct that 48-72 hours is a good timeline for acclimation, you can never be 100% sure unless you measure the moisture content of the material yourself. Invest in a good pinless moisture meter to eliminate the guesswork from your wood projects.
Once it's wet, OSB takes hours to days to dry out.
Best Practices for Acclimating Wood Flooring
Acclimation times vary by species and product, but a rule of thumb is to acclimate wood floor products for at least three days. You're trying to reach an equilibrium between the moisture content of the wood materials and the air where the product is being installed.
How Long To Acclimate Laminate Flooring? Ensuring that the site is now within the advised parameters, most manufacturers consider a period of 24-72 hrs suitable to acclimate laminate flooring. This means leaving the laminate flooring packs in the room in which they are going to be laid.
Will hardwood flooring acclimate in the box? Not unless they are opened. Boxes must be opened along the seams and the plastic removed for best results. Dry-fit a few boards together to ensure proper fit and finish and verify color and species with the homeowner.
Our OSB is rated “Exposure 1” and that means that it will withstand normal delays in construction. Normal delays and the rain you indicated will not affect the structural properties of the panels. Certainly it would have been better to have covered the roof with a tarp or roofing felt before it rained.
OSB retains water longer than plywood does, which makes decay more likely in OSB than in plywood. Of course, tree species plays a large role in this determination. OSB made from aspen or poplar is relatively susceptible to decay.
Answer. OSB roof panels should always be installed with the grade stamp facing into the attic and the screened surface (with the nail guide lines) facing up.
Fortunately, for installers and woodworking professionals alike, the use of a wood moisture meter can help determine when the wood is properly acclimated to its new environment. Acclimation isn't just about letting the wood lay around to get used to the environment like a newly adopted pet in your home.
By storing your firewood in a sunny and windy location, you can speed up the drying process. If you don't have a sunny spot, you can still dry your wood by covering it with a tarp to protect it from the rain and keeping it off the ground to allow air to circulate around it.
SurePly® plywood underlayment panels should acclimate 24 to 48 hours in a climate controlled environment of approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Disadvantages of OSB
Not moisture proof - OSB should be kept dry and does not perform well with prolonged wetting. It can swell, warp and lose strength if left unprotected. Weaker across the width - OSB has less stiffness across the panel compared to plywood. Additional bracing may be needed for some applications.
If you want to smooth down the surface and edges, apply a resin filler coat with a putty knife. Apply it as thinly as possible. After the resin has dried (about 20 to 30 minutes), sand down the board and the edges with 220-grit sandpaper.
The APA (the Engineered Woo Association) recommends that construction professionals leave a 1/8-inch gap between each panel edge and end joint. As ambient moisture changes, your OSB or plywood panels will expand and contract.
“The major disadvantage of OSB is that if it gets exposed to significant amounts of water or moisture, the edges expand by up to 15% ... especially if they are cut edges. This swell will then telegraph onto the shingles or some flooring," according to PATH.
What is CDX? CDX is veneer plywood, which is manufactured by gluing and pressing together sheets of wood. The letters C and D represent the grades of either side of the plywood, while X stands for exposure.
Improved resins, better water-resistance, and especially lower costs have helped make OSB the first choice for many builders even though plywood production can be counted in the billions of square feet annually.
Using OSB Safely
When installing in vertical applications such as wall sheathing, you'll want to orient the smooth or stamped side facing out. The smooth side has a better moisture resistance and will ultimately provide better performance against weather.
In most cases, plywood is better. But, when panels are exposed to water and moisture, plywood is barely better than OSB. Both get damaged when exposed to water for long periods.
Exterior paint will not only make your OSB attractive, but it also adds a layer of water resistance. So, the paint should be added before applying the waterproof so that the sealer can protect the topcoat. Note: if you need a more natural appearance, you can stain your OSB.
Extreme moisture-related issues may occur, such as warping, cupping, crowning, buckling, mold, mildew, or even noticeable gaps between boards. Oftentimes, problems like these entail costly repairs.
To acclimate effectively, the planks should be unpacked from their boxes and stacked to allow air circulation on all sides. If the moisture content of the subfloor and new planks are within 2 percent right off the bat, we still recommend 48 hours for the floor to get comfortable in its new environment.
In conclusion, SPC waterproof flooring is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a durable and water-resistant flooring solution. Unlike some other flooring materials, SPC flooring generally does not need time to acclimate after installation.