As a builder and flooring installer, I’ve learned the benefits of oriented strand board (OSB) and have often used it as a cost-effective alternative to plywood for sheathing and subfloors.

Photography by and courtesy of Rik Vannevel. Above: “To keep costs down, we decided to use radiata pine, the plywood commonly used for construction but usually left invisible,” Pieterjan tells us.

With focus turning to increased domestic production, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange plans to launch a new lumber futures trading exchange in late March.