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SEALOFLEX INC. 2520 OSCAR JOHNSON DRIVE, CHARLESTON, SC 29405 PHONE: 843 554 6466 ٠ FAX: 843 554 6458 ٠ WWW.SEALOFLEX.COM 8/11/2009 CDX PLYWOOD vs. OSD PLYWOOD OSD and CDX plywood are both commonly found on construction sites, because builders and contractors rely on both types of plywood to get the job done. Each of these materials has its own unique properties and qualities, and so each is used in specific applications. Depending on where you are planning to use each sheet of plywood, you will likely end up using both types of plywood if you are planning to build a new home. You may also require both types if you are planning a new addition, especially if that addition has both floors and exterior walls. OSD (or OSB) Plywood: OSD plywood (which is also commonly known as OSB or oriented strand board) is produced by binding wood chips together with a mix of glue and resin. The mixture is then cast and baked to produce a plywood-like sheet. Because OSD does not use costly veneers it is as much as half the price of regular plywood. OSD also tends to have better waterproof characteristics, since the glue and resin make the wood chips impervious to moisture that can seep in between the plies of standard plywood. This means that OSD is the perfect choice for applications such as exterior wall sheathing and roofing. CDX Plywood: CDX plywood is produced by gluing together sheets of veneer, with each layer being glued the opposite grain to the one below it. The result is a wooden sheet that is proportionally as strong as steel, without the weight that comes along with concrete or steel. Because of this strength, CDX plywood is the most popular choice for interior flooring; CDX plywood will stand up to many years of use and abuse without warping or breaking. The differences between the two plywood board types: CDX plywood is classified as an "exposure" type of sheathing rather than an "exterior." This means that CDX plywood should only be used inside or on surfaces that will not be exposed to water once the building process is complete. Because of its chemical properties, however, OSD is perfect for exterior applications. Another difference between the two plywood board types is appearance: if you are looking for a wood grain, choose CDX, since OSD plywood is generally flat on one side and rough on the other. A good builder can save money by using both OSD and CDX plywood.

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SEALOFLEX INC. 2520 OSCAR JOHNSON DRIVE, CHARLESTON, SC 29405PHONE: 843 554 6466 ٠ FAX: 843 554 6458 ٠ WWW.SEALOFLEX.COM

8/11/2009

CDX PLYWOOD vs. OSD PLYWOOD

OSD and CDX plywood are both commonly found on construction sites, becausebuilders and contractors rely on both types of plywood to get the job done. Each of thesematerials has its own unique properties and qualities, and so each is used in specificapplications. Depending on where you are planning to use each sheet of plywood, youwill likely end up using both types of plywood if you are planning to build a new home.You may also require both types if you are planning a new addition, especially if thataddition has both floors and exterior walls.

OSD (or OSB) Plywood:

OSD plywood (which is also commonly known as OSB or oriented strand board) isproduced by binding wood chips together with a mix of glue and resin. The mixture isthen cast and baked to produce a plywood-like sheet. Because OSD does not use costlyveneers it is as much as half the price of regular plywood.OSD also tends to have better waterproof characteristics, since the glue and resin makethe wood chips impervious to moisture that can seep in between the plies of standardplywood. This means that OSD is the perfect choice for applications such as exteriorwall sheathing and roofing.

CDX Plywood:

CDX plywood is produced by gluing together sheets of veneer, with each layer beingglued the opposite grain to the one below it. The result is a wooden sheet that isproportionally as strong as steel, without the weight that comes along with concrete orsteel. Because of this strength, CDX plywood is the most popular choice for interiorflooring; CDX plywood will stand up to many years of use and abuse without warping orbreaking.

The differences between the two plywood board types:

CDX plywood is classified as an "exposure" type of sheathing rather than an "exterior."This means that CDX plywood should only be used inside or on surfaces that will not beexposed to water once the building process is complete. Because of its chemicalproperties, however, OSD is perfect for exterior applications. Another differencebetween the two plywood board types is appearance: if you are looking for a wood grain,choose CDX, since OSD plywood is generally flat on one side and rough on the other. Agood builder can save money by using both OSD and CDX plywood.