OSB workshop panelling

[RedWhiteMonkey]

I live in an apartment in Germany where it is common to have a basement room, primarily used for storage. I've just purchased a second basement room so now have one for storage and one I can turn into a bit of a home workshop.

The room in question is approximately 4m x 3m and dry with concrete walls. I intend on putting OSB (2.5m x 1.25m sheet) on some of the wall to allow me to create a flexible tool hanging section. I have two main questions that I can decide on and would appreciate people's thoughts:

1. What thickness OSB is best? My relatistic options are 15mm or 18mm.

2. Should I screw the OSB directly onto the wall or should I attach it using battens (50cm spacing)?

[CSR Performance]

I did 15mm on mine, used 75mm batten and put kingspan behind with vapour barriers either side. In retrospect probably overkill

[48k]

I'd use ply rather than OSB it's a nicer finish.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

CSR Performance said:

I did 15mm on mine, used 75mm batten and put kingspan behind with vapour barriers either side. In retrospect probably overkill

Same. Blocked up behind a garage door - wood frame, kingspan and then I actually think I used 18mm as thats all B&Q had in. Looked great so did what was a bare block wall in the same way - went 18mm again as it was going to be used to hang bike hooks etc off.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

48k said:

I'd use ply rather than OSB it's a nicer finish.

OSB is fine for what I want it for, besides a same size sheet of ply is four times the price.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Did those using battens mainly do so because of moisture issues? In this instance, the room is bone dry and doesn't have any moisture issues to address. Is it still a good idea to have some gap for air circulation though?

[Matt Dell]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

48k said:

I'd use ply rather than OSB it's a nicer finish.

OSB is fine for what I want it for, besides a same size sheet of ply is four times the price.

I do like the look of OSB, but yes ply is a smoother finish for comparative cost.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Matt Dell said:

RedWhiteMonkey said:

48k said:

I'd use ply rather than OSB it's a nicer finish.

OSB is fine for what I want it for, besides a same size sheet of ply is four times the price.

I do like the look of OSB, but yes ply is a smoother finish for comparative cost.

Not really the question I'm asking though. Irrelevant of whether it's OSB or ply, would people attach direct to the wall or is with battens better (even if moisture is not an issue)?

[Stegel]

I would install it onto battens for three reasons, firstly to ensure ventilation to the rear (it may appear dry but there could be water vapour passing through the walls). Secondly, screwing into wall plugs is likely to chew up the battens, and would be worse in OSB, so it allows you to secure the battens well and then glue and tack the OSB to the battens. Thirdly, if you’re limited to the depth of the OSB it may make getting a secure fixing for cup hooks etc. difficult, but if you have a, say, 25mm air gap you can use longer screw hooks and have the tapered tip sticking out into fresh air and the meat of the thread in the OSB.

[RedWhiteMonkey]

Stegel said:

I would install it onto battens for three reasons, firstly to ensure ventilation to the rear (it may appear dry but there could be water vapour passing through the walls). Secondly, screwing into wall plugs is likely to chew up the battens, and would be worse in OSB, so it allows you to secure the battens well and then glue and tack the OSB to the battens. Thirdly, if you re limited to the depth of the OSB it may make getting a secure fixing for cup hooks etc. difficult, but if you have a, say, 25mm air gap you can use longer screw hooks and have the tapered tip sticking out into fresh air and the meat of the thread in the OSB.

Thanks, I think you've confirmed what I was generally thinking. Cheers

[Skyedriver]

Lined the timber garage in OSB find screwing into the OSB won't hold much weight and aim to hit the garage framework for a decent fixing so I'd suggest fixing to battens.