Engineered Wood OSB (Oriented Strand Board) vs. PlexCore™ High-Performance Board

Engineered Wood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board)

• What it is:
  OSB is made by pressing together wood strands (like flakes or chips) with adhesives under high heat and pressure.

• Strength:
  Very strong in all directions because the wood strands are layered in different directions.

• Durability:
  Decent for floors and walls if kept dry. However, OSB can absorb moisture easily and swell or get soft over time if water gets in.

• Feel:
  Slightly rough surface unless coated. Not as smooth as plywood.

• Cost:
  Cheaper than premium alternatives. That’s why a lot of value trailers use it — it keeps the price down.

• Real-world:
  OSB is fine for a basic enclosed trailer if you’re careful with moisture. But it’s not waterproof, and once water gets in, it tends to delaminate faster than plywood or PlexCore.

PlexCore™ High-Performance Board

• What it is:
  A proprietary panel developed by Haulmark that’s engineered to resist moisture better than traditional OSB or plywood. It’s still wood-based but manufactured with enhanced resins and compression techniques.

• Strength:
  As strong or stronger than regular OSB, with better resistance to warping and delamination.

• Durability:
  Much better moisture resistance — it holds up longer against humidity, spills, rain exposure, and temperature swings.

• Feel:
  Smoother and harder surface. Better for rolling things like motorcycles, dollies, pallets without tearing the surface as fast.

• Cost:
  Slightly more expensive, but you usually get a cleaner, longer-lasting trailer interior.

• Real-world:
  PlexCore is way better if you plan to keep your trailer for years, use it heavily, or think it’ll be exposed to moisture, snow, rain, etc. It’s much less likely to bubble, warp, or get soft compared to OSB.

Quick Visual Analogy:

• OSB = Good budget flooring — like basic laminate floors in an apartment.

• PlexCore = Upgraded vinyl plank floors — stronger, water-resistant, longer-lasting.

In short: