Flooring question...again...

[annaz]

I know this has been posted before, but I'm going to ask again.

Why is plywood flooring better than a tongue and groove OSB?

[Bill Fry]

Well,it really isn't.Though plywood has always been the standard for the best floor,comparable thickness OSB will give you just as much life and wear.(for less money).Plywood is made up of solid thin wood veneers glued and pressed together while OSB is made up of bits and pieces of veneers assembled in the same way.Tongue and groove for either plywood or OSB subfloors is best.It simply gives you a flat floor with no ridges or bumps on the joints. What you want to avoid in flooring is particleboard and the many knockoff names it uses(novadecking for one.)Plywood and OSB will take moisture for a time without falling apart but the later has no strength once it gets wet,usually it only takes one good soaking before it starts to swell.

[trmimo]

I would add one exception.
You don't want 5/8 osb. 3/4 osb is a great choice.
5/8 osb has more flex than 5/8 plywood so the floor will feel a little soft and be prone to squeaks.
Even with plywood, 3/4 is the floor you want.

[Dick]

I have spoken with four different dealers, including Karsten and Silvercrest (Champion), and they all tell me that cresdeck is totally waterproof and that 5/8th is plenty thick. Is cresdeck some new and improved subfloor, or it is just another name for novadeck?

[trmimo]

cresdeck is D-3 particleboard.
It is denser than novadeck (D-2).
It is not totally waterproof.
It's density and hard surface make it resist short term moisture exposure well. (exposure to moisture for less than 24 hours). More than 24 hours it performs just like all particleboard.
5/8 is acceptable for cresdeck, because it is very stiff.
These don't sound like honest salespeople, or maybe they aren't very knowledgeable. I would be more afraid of these salespeople than the cresdeck.
Buy from honest, knowledgeable professionals.
The correct answer would have been, yes it is particleboard, but because our homes are properly installed with ventilation and a vapor barrier, it won't be an issue.
I have seen hundreds of particleboard failures and every one was in an improperly installed house.
Proper installation is much more important than the decking you choose.
Any good professional will emphasize this regardless of whether or not they are selling plywood, osb or particleboard.
That is what a good retailer offers, good installation and service. You can buy the same house at dozens of different places.

[jgn]

Ask to see the warranty for cresdeck because it is moisture resistant not water proof. It carries a good warranty for everything except moisture. No wood product is water proof and is immune to water damage if it is exposed to a large amount for a prolonged period of time but particle board will swell in a short time. Plywood is recommended for all types of flooring including tile and it is worth the expense to upgrade to plywood. Even OSB is somewhat of a problem with linoleum because it is not very smooth.

[Loren]

I want to replace the particle board in my mobile home. I have been told to replace it with several different types of wood. I am leaning more towards 3/4 plywood. Is there a certain grade that I should choose? Is tongue and groove really necessary or that much better. I will covering the floor with real wood parquet flooring, glue down. I am doing this to the entire mobile home. Any suggestions.