Oriented Strand Board
This inexpensive alternative to plywood can serve as a strong substrate material or provide an interesting finish style of its own
Oriented strand board, or OSB, is used in construction as a sheathing or substrate material. Wood flakes, sawdust and a synthetic resin are hot pressed to form an inexpensive and strong plywood alternative. One flaw to know: It expands when wet.
OSB makes a contemporary statement when used as wood paneling. The edges of OSB are not solid wood, so they are prone to expansion when wet. The edges can swell and delaminate.
OSB is typically the underlayer or substrate to a hardwood floor or carpeting, but if well sealed it makes a unique and inexpensive flooring material.
With a layer of paint, OSB can be completely disguised, looking more like an expensive wall treatment.
A high gloss finish seals and protects this OSB just as it would on any wood floor.