OSB as finished flooring

[hnash53]

I'm hearing that some people are using 19/32" or 23/32" OSB tongue and groove as a finished flooring.

Some are having it sanded then sealed with Varathane (or similar product).

Has anyone done this, and if so, how did you fasten it?  I assume use of construction adhesive, but what about screw types?

Thanks.

Hal Nash

[John Raabe]

You usually want the T&G joints to be able to move with temperature and humidity changes. Gluing the joints could cause problems.

In our first Little House project we did paint the OSB (unsanded) for a temp floor. It was not very satisfactory. On the other hand, in the big house we lived for three years with painted plywood subflooring and it was fine. I think I painted it every year and it didn't look half bad. OSB would have to be sanded and any finish would crack a bit at the joints but it might work just as well as my unsanded plywood subfloor.

[davidj]

Our neighbors have sanded and varnished OSB for the floor on a couple of their small cabins.  It looks good, especially in the "saloon" cabin.  I think they used quite a few coats of polyeurethane to protect it, though, and probably some sanding.  I think they also did two layers of OSB - the regular T&G (that got beaten up during construction), then a finish layer of maybe 7/16".  Given the varnish probably costs more per sq ft than 7/16" OSB, a second layer isn't a major extravagance!

[nathan.principe]

I have noticed OSB being used in that type application as interior siding for contempary and urban/industrial looks in the downtown dallas area, it pairs well with exposed cinder blocks and exposed plumbing/duct work...... funny how thats all the type of stuff us rustic builders try to hide! 

[davidj]

Our neighbors have sanded and varnished OSB for the floor on a couple of their small cabins.  It looks good, especially in the "saloon" cabin.  I think they used quite a few coats of polyeurethane to protect it, though, and probably some sanding.  I think they also did two layers of OSB - the regular T&G (that got beaten up during construction), then a finish layer of maybe 7/16".  Given the varnish probably costs more per sq ft than 7/16" OSB, a second layer isn't a major extravagance!

I talked to my neighbor yesterday.  The second layer was also 3/4" T&G.  And they just cut it to size and wedged it in - basically a floating floor.  The cabins are only 12x16, and neither have any plumbed water - I'm guessing this approach wouldn't work so well in large rooms or potentially-wet locations.

[Don_P]

Laminate flooring is strips of plywood with a finish layer of melamine or wood veneer. A friend made his floor out of wide plank plywood with eased edges, T&G'd, screwed and plugged and stained.