5/8 OSB or 3/4 Cresdeck

[Tom]

Which would be the better choice? The home will be in the sothern California desert.
Thanks

[Mark]

I'm not sure what cresdeck is, I'll assume it's a new name for particle board.

5/8th OSB would be fine for a no snow load roof, but I wouldn't put it on a floor, anything less than 3/4" is going to be spongy, even at 16" oc spacing, and I wouldn't build a dog house out of particle board.

[rmurray]

AGREED

[Tom]

We're talking about the interior floor, sorry I didn't make that clear.

[jgn]

Interior flooring is still subjected to moisture and that is where Cresdeck/particle board is a problem because it absorbs water and swells. First choice plywood, next OSB never particle board under any name.

[Tom]

The problem is: will 5/8 OSB provide for a good strong floor? Or do I have to pick the lesser of two evils?
Do I sacrifice a rigid floor for good water proof qualities or go with a stronger floor and hope I never get water on it?

[Mark]

5/8" anything is not suitable sub flooring, in any material, period.

If they are only offering 5/8" OSB or 3/4" particle board, I would SERIOUSLY considering choosing a different manufactuer.

If they are going to cut building methods in something like that, where else will they be cutting corners?

[trmimo]

I agree with the last poster. OSB is the most flexible subfloor material. 5/8" is not adequate. My own experince with my customers has been that 5/8 osb is problematic. It flexes enough that floor squeaks and nail pops become a problem. It even reduces the load capacity of the floor joists because it is not stiff enough to maintain joist alignment. You can find a manufacturer that offers better. If you are really sold on this home, ask if they will build it with double decking. This is expensive, but will solve the situation. Either osb over osb or osb over particle board. Putting osb over the particle board gives you the water resistance of the osb as well as the smooth first layer from the particle board as well as being very stiff from being so thick.. A few custom mod manufacturers such as Rochester and Virginia build this way standard. I sell Rochester homes and have never seen any of the problems associated with a particleboard only floor, and there are many possible.