OSB for Subfloor?

What problems (if any) can be caused by using OSB for subfloor.
I'm asking because I don't need structural support, just a smoother surface to lay the luan on. You see... It's an old house with 1" thick boards for a subfloor (varying widths and slight thickness differences).

Thanks for any replies

The edges swells up, if it gets damp or wet. Doesn't hold nails quite as well as ply, either.

Just use 1/2" ply, instead of the luan.

For a subfloor, I like Advantec, but for what you're looking for, ply is better, I think as well.

frenchie said:

Just use 1/2" ply, instead of the luan.

Click to expand...

I'll ditch the OSB idea. Can I lay linoleum directly over 1/2" ply and not have problems? What treatment do the seams receive?

Thanks,
Molo

The problem with regular plywood is there may be voids here and below the top ply. A sharp weight such as an appliance or woman's high heel can break through. What you should use as an underlayment is called multiply. It comes in 1/4"x4'x4' sheets and may have different names. It's like plywood, but it has no voids. As I recall, it isn't much different in price from plywood.