Although you might not think "lightweight" when you think about wood, plywood and OSB (oriented strand board) structural panels offer a great ratio of strength to weight. Panel weight is based on thickness and density, wood species and the manufacturing parameters, among other factors. As an example, more than 70 species of wood are commonly used in plywood manufacture. These wood species cover a relatively large range of strength and stiffness. Panels of the same dimension can vary as much as 20 percent or more in weight based on these and other factors. Generally speaking, the stronger the wood species, the greater the density will be (for a given volume). The density of most plywood is in the 25–50 lbs/ft3 range, with the density of most OSB being between 30–50 lb/ft3.
Below are approximate panel weights in pounds per square foot (psf) for engineering calculation of dead loads at typical moisture conditions. These values are used for engineering purposes, such as estimating the weight of a structure or assembly, and do not relate to actual shipping weights. If weight is a significant concern, please contact the manufacturer for more specific information regarding the approximate weight of the panels they manufacture.
|
Panel Thickness (inches)
|
Approximate Weight (psf)
|
| |
Plywood
|
OSB
|
|
1/4
|
0.8
|
0.9
|
|
5/16
|
1.0
|
1.1
|
|
11/32
|
1.0
|
-
|
|
3/8
|
1.1
|
1.2
|
|
7/16
|
(OSB only)
|
1.4
|
|
15/32
|
1.4
|
1.5
|
|
1/2
|
1.5
|
1.7
|
|
19/32
|
1.8
|
2.0
|
|
5/8
|
1.9
|
2.1
|
|
23/32
|
2.2
|
2.4
|
|
3/4
|
2.3
|
2.5
|
|
7/8
|
2.6
|
2.9
|
|
1
|
3.0
|
3.3
|
|
1-1/8
|
3.3
|
3.6
|