If you are working with OSB or oriented strand board, then something that you need to be aware of is that it is not overly resistant to the elements, especially when it comes to sun and moisture damage. However, with that being said, oriented strand board is a fantastic building material for many other reasons, not to mention that it is also very affordable.
This limited durability and resistance is a problem. With that being said, it is possible to make OSB more durable, as well as to just make it look much better, by either painting or staining it. Today we’re going to figure out whether it is better to paint or stain your OSB, and then we will take you through step-by-step tutorials for both processes.
Painting vs. Staining OSB: Which Is Better?
First and foremost, you probably want to know whether you should paint your OSB, or if you should stain it.
Staining OSB
First off, let’s take a quick look at the advantages that stain has over paint. For one, staining usually costs a lot less than paint does. What can also be said is that stain is very easy to apply, as it usually does not require the application of a primer before it can be applied.
Moreover, when you are using stain, you usually only need to add one coat or maybe two at the most. What is also beneficial about staining OSB is the fact that it really pulls into the wood and therefore makes it look very nice.
It allows the natural texture and looks of the wood underneath to stand out (although OSB really doesn’t look that nice to begin with). Another bonus that you get with stain is the fact that it usually doesn’t crack or peel like paint does. However, do keep in mind that OSB can be quite absorbent, which means that you might need to use a whole lot of stain to get the job done.
Painting OSB
Now, while it is true that you will probably need to apply a few coats of paint in order to properly protect the OSB, in terms of overall protection, it is the far better option to go with. When it comes to protection from UV damage, from insects, and especially in terms of waterproofing, paint is the far better option to go with.
For one, paint sits on the surface of the wood instead of absorbing into it, and therefore it creates a much thicker and better layer of protection against moisture and weather. Paint is the far better option to go with if you want to prevent the oriented strand board from becoming wet, rotting, and disintegrating.
Of course, the big downside here is that when you go to paint OSB, you do first need to apply a primer, which ends up being costlier and takes more time, not to mention the fact that paint by itself is more expensive than stain to begin with. There is also the fact that paint can crack and peel away, which means that you will probably end up repainting the surface after a few years depending on the conditions.
The Verdict
So, what it really all comes down to here is that stain is generally much easier to apply and much more cost-effective, and also doesn’t require much maintenance. However, on the other hand, paint is the far better option to go with if you are looking for long-term protection from the elements.
There is of course also the fact that if you paint OSB, you won’t be able to see the oriented strand board underneath, which in some cases can be a good thing because let’s face it, it’s not the most beautiful type of engineered wood out there. We definitely recommend using paint.
