Layout base panel- OSB or LP Legacy?

Haven't used it for layout construction but have in the real world.  I would put it in the same class as CDX plywood for surface texture and strength, would be less likely to warp though.    The LP subfloor is 3/4" so a bit heavy for most needs.     I feel 1/2" OSB would be louder than most other plywood products.   Neither would be my preferred choice for sheet stock even if covering with homasote.

OSB doesn't like moisture, so if it's in a damp area, it's a poor choice.

I read online that the OSB products do not send the noise down from the layout like directional plywood. I plan to use 1" foam insulation on top of it to kill the noise. Today at Home Depot I discovered the LP legacy material. Its $11.00 more than 3/4 OSB and is made using Gorilla Glue as part of its construction. I know this is overkill for a layout, but it felt lighter than the 3/4 OSB next to it making it 1) easier to hump, and 2) lighter to use on my second-floor 8x16 layout. I'm not concerned about moisture, the subfloor is tested to resist that but my layout will be in a climate controlled room. I need 4 panels so the 44+ bucks seems like a pittance to what I have spent so far. Track will be all Ross as well as switches. Everything will be on RossBed and glued, no screws. Here is my benchwork it will go on...

I used 1/2 osb with 1/2 pink foam on top for my fastrack layout.

Its 17 years old , no issues.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

OSB doesn't like moisture, so if it's in a damp area, it's a poor choice.

If it's that damp that osb might be damaged . That's an overall poor choice for a layout location.

That's a nice room.  The LP product is made to handle the weather during home construction so can take more moisture than it would ever see in a finished room, hopefully.

If you are not going to walk or dance on top of your layout don't waste your money.   You're using Mianne benchwork which consisting of 2'x2' grid which will provide adequate support for 1/2" plywood and 1" foam.  I would suggest that you look at 2" or thicker foam if you plan on carving 3D scenery.

Jan

@452 Card posted:

I plan to use 1" foam insulation on top of it to kill the noise.

IMO, bad choice, the pink or blue construction foam does not do anything to kill noise, if anything it amplifies it!  I used 1/2" Homasote, that is very effective at knocking down the noise.

Card, I agree with John. I used 1/2” Homasote too. Very quiet. I found it at Family Lumber in Bethpage. Check your local lumber yards.

Steam-

Over plywood?

Disregard that last post- found the answer on the bridge building part of your OB thread. I'm still concerned about noise; I will be running heavy locos/trains at slow to medium speeds that I think could reverberate down through the homasote/plywood. I know it sounds like I'm getting picky, but I want to get this right first time. Of course, any switching moves at yard speeds are irrelevant.

@452 Card posted:

Disregard that last post- found the answer on the bridge building part of your OB thread. I'm still concerned about noise; I will be running heavy locos/trains at slow to medium speeds that I think could reverberate down through the homasote/plywood. I know it sounds like I'm getting picky, but I want to get this right first time. Of course, any switching moves at yard speeds are irrelevant.

I have 1/2" Baltic Birch and 1/2" Homasote, quiet as a church mouse here.  I have no idea why someone would suggest OSB would be quieter than plywood, but I'd sure hate to bet on the difference.  The Homasote does the heavy lifting here as far as noise suppression.

John,

Why Baltic Birch instead of regular ply wood? More layers?

@452 Card posted:

Why Baltic Birch instead of regular ply wood? More layers?

Exactly, 1/2" Baltic Birch has 11 layers, and warping just isn't in it's DNA.  It was also a pleasure to work with.  At the time, it wasn't much more expensive than standard plywood, it was like building fine furniture.