Use on Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Roof Sheathing

Technical Letter 12

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) has become a common material used as structural roof sheathing. OSB is a structural panel made of wood strands sliced in the long direction and bonded together with a binder under heat and pressure. The product is manufactured with a textured surface for use in roofing applications to improve surface traction and a wax is added to the binder formulation to enhance the moisture resistance.

GCP’s underlayments (GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® , GRACE ICE & WATER SHIELD® HT, GRACE ULTRA™, GRACE SELECT™, GCP granular underlayments, ROOF DETAIL MEMBRANE™, TRI-FLEX® and TRI-FLEX 15™) are recommended for use over OSB substrates. However, in some instances the ability of the self-adhered membranes to adhere to the substrate may be compromised by the level of surface texture, the amount of wax added to the panel, and job site wind conditions.

In applications where membrane adhesion to the OSB is found to be marginal, or windy conditions are likely prior to covering with the exposed roofing materials, nail off the perimeter of the membrane with roofing or cap nails at intervals of 12 inches (300 mm) on center. If moderate or high wind conditions are likely, additional nailing in the field of the sheet may be necessary. Staples should not be used in place of nails.

As an alternative to using nails, apply PERM-A-BARRIER® WB Primer to the roof deck at a coverage rate of 250–350 ft2/gal (6–8 m2/L). PERM-A-BARRIER® WB Primer and the surface of GCP’s underlayments are slippery when wet. Allow the PERM-A-BARRIER® WB Primer to dry thoroughly before walking on the OSB surface. Cover the membrane with the exposed roofing material as soon as possible. The long-term adhesion of GCP’s self-adhered underlayments to the textured surface of OSB is excellent and membrane performance is not affected.

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We hope the information here will be helpful. It is based on data and knowledge considered to be true and accurate, and is offered for consideration, investigation and verification by the user, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statements, recommendations, and suggestions in conjunction with our conditions of sale, which apply to all goods supplied by us. No statement, recommendation, or suggestion is intended for any use that would infringe any patent, copyright, or other third party right.

Ice & Water Shield, Grace Basik, Tri-Flex, Grace Ultra, Grace Select, Grace Roof Detail Membrane and Grace SYN 15 are trademarks, which may be registered in the United States and/or other countries, of GCP Applied Technologies Inc. This trademark list has been compiled using available published information as of the publication date and may not accurately reflect current trademark ownership or status.

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All rights reserved. In Canada, GCP Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6


GCP Applied Technologies Inc., 2325 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 475, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
GCP Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6.
This document is only current as of the last updated date stated below and is valid only for use in the Canada. It is important that you always refer to the currently available information at the URL below to provide the most current product information at the time of use. Additional literature such as Contractor Manuals, Technical Bulletins, Detail Drawings and detailing recommendations and other relevant documents are also available on www.gcpat.com. Information found on other websites must not be relied upon, as they may not be up-to-date or applicable to the conditions in your location and we do not accept any responsibility for their content. If there are any conflicts or if you need more information, please contact GCP Customer Service.

Last Updated: 2024-06-21

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