What is the lowest moisture content that plywood and OSB can leave production?

Plywood and oriented strand board (OSB) are engineered wood products that undergo a drying process during manufacturing to remove excess moisture. The moisture content of these products when they leave production is crucial for their performance, durability, and stability.

The industry standard for the lowest moisture content for plywood and OSB at the time of production is typically around 4%. At this level, the materials are considered adequately dried to minimize issues such as warping, shrinkage, or swelling once they are used in construction. While moisture content levels can technically vary based on specific product types and manufacturer practices, 4% is widely recognized as the minimum for optimal performance in construction applications. Therefore, this option accurately represents the acceptable threshold for these composite wood materials.