Having done a lot of DIY projects over the last decade, I've really shifted my view of OSB. Originally I would lump it in with particleboard, but I've since drastically changed my view of it. Particleboard is, truly, junk. OSB and plywood are both pretty good products, and for some uses superior to hardwoods (dimensional stability, for example). High quality plywoods are amazing products. OSB for structure or underlayments are really quite good.
Unless there is a drop of moisture, then you throw it all away.
It’s so depressingly wasteful.
Unless there is a drop of moisture, then you throw it all away.
I went with IKEA's Sektion cabinets to replace some forty year old particleboard cabinets that warped after years of water damage from a burst pipe. They came with a twenty-five year warranty so there's clearly some expectation of longevity.
But as with all things, I'm certain some producers are using raw/virgin materials. Probably from wood that is dirt cheap.
If I'm building something I try really hard to avoid it, I can only assume the dust is really toxic to breath in and I don't have money or space for a fancy dust collection system.
Baltic birch would be stronger, no doubt, but that's 3 times the price and I am not exactly storing a geode collection up there.