Any of y'all use OSB for the walls of your deer stands? I'm trying to go as cheap as possible on this one because it's going in an area that floods every few years and occasionally washes stands away.

What about a platform with a popup on it? If it looks like it might flood, grab the popup and the base shouldn't have enough water resistance to wash away.

The problem is that you have to cross a big creek to get back there. If it rains hard upstream the creek becomes impassable. It is pretty tough to plan ahead enough based on forecasts as to when to take it down.

The area is almost 1000 acres that doesn't get hunted by anyone on our lease. To me, it's worth a couple hundred bucks and some sweat building it and getting it back there. Risk/reward.

Tree stand?

It's a timber farm and was clear cut about 5 years ago. Nothing big enough to support it. That was my first thought also.

I'd go with some kind of ground blind built out of brush pilings. Get a cheap folding chair that you can easily replace, take some bailing wire you can stretch to hang limb clippings on.

OSB should be fine. Sounds like it is sacrificial anyways if there is an extreme weather event. If not you might be replacing the OSB every couple of years anyways.

Thanks for actually answering my question! Lol.

So you think with a couple thick coats of paint I can get 3 years or so out of OSB walls?

As for the question you asked, OSB will work but put two or three coats of paint on it before taking it to the woods. Then every couple of years hit it again. Make sure you get the edges real good- that is the first place that moisture gets into it.

Awesome. Thanks.

Every few years? Danger of being swept away? Plywood. Windows optional. Smaller 4x4 box design on a simple base. No frills. No shelves. No carpet. KISS. Wouldn't bother treating or painting.

Stack up a bunch of brush around it. We have a spot on our place like this and it's what we do. We have a few fiberglass Dillon blinds, but not there.....and ironically, if you want to hunt these open, cold blinds - it's some of the best hunting on the place.

Or go in the opposite direction. Get a fancy, big blind on a metal stand, anchor it down, and it should be fine. 4-5ft up off the ground.

Russ79 said:

---

As for the question you asked, OSB will work but put two or three coats of paint on it before taking it to the woods. Then every couple of years hit it again. Make sure you get the edges real good- that is the first place that moisture gets into it.

---

+1
Consider painting about 4-6" band around the edges on the interior as well prior to mounting panel for further protection of the edges. put a metal drip edge in a bed of pooky above all the openings to further protect the edges.

clintaggie04 said:

---

Thanks for actually answering my question! Lol.

So you think with a couple thick coats of paint I can get 3 years or so out of OSB walls?

---

Don't forget to paint the edges of the OSB as, IMO, that's where the water will wick in.

OSB sounds like a waste of time, money, and effort to me. What about building the frame out of metal then hinging the plywood sheets at the top so they could push open from the bottom allowing the water to flow through?

Or maybe just a tripod stand?

I used OSB for the skin on my stand. But according to the thread a while back where folks put their stands on an OB member's property - it's a cheap and junky stand material. I was heartbroken. Tears were shed.

In all reality, it works well. Maybe not as good as plywood, but a healthy coat of exterior paint to protect it and I bet it will last plenty long.

We have several 2x2 and OSB stands that are coming up on a decade now with little to no maintenance. I think we built them before the 2011 hunting season.

We obviously check them every year, but typically every third year or so they get a new coat of spray paint on a few areas and one needed some new tin on the roof once.

I think we sealed the edges when we built them, but haven't since.

I have done both.

OSB will require more coats of paint after the first 2-3 years. Plywood is good for 3-4 years before it gets a fresh coat. OSB will also flake within the first few seasons, so keep that in mind. I'll never do OSB again.

Might look into that "smart siding" stuff home depot sells. Probably better than plywood and a lot better than OSB.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LP-SmartSide-SmartSide-48-in-x-96-in-Strand-Panel-Siding-27874/100055901

I used OSB and it has lasted well (10 years and still going). I put a heavy coat of paint on it.

AGGIE WH08P said:

---

I have done both.

OSB will require more coats of paint after the first 2-3 years. Plywood is good for 3-4 years before it gets a fresh coat. OSB will also flake within the first few seasons, so keep that in mind. I'll never do OSB again.

Might look into that "smart siding" stuff home depot sells. Probably better than plywood and a lot better than OSB.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/LP-SmartSide-SmartSide-48-in-x-96-in-Strand-Panel-Siding-27874/100055901

---

dont use OSB, instead use pre-primed faux siding OSB?

It is a deer stand in a remote spot that may or may not be damaged by weather a couple of years.

OSB is $8/sheet and good enough for this purpose.

You double the cost immediately with the same size CD sheathing plywood.

if looking at the "smart siding" then consider the Zip system with an integral weather barrier. about $20 a sheet instead of $9. Use the Zip tape at the seams and edges for added durability.

build a quick wood or metal frame and use old tin.

Thanks everyone. $8 a sheet OSB looks like the winner.

clintaggie04 said:

---

Thanks everyone. $8 a sheet OSB looks like the winner.

---

Plus the weight will be less hauling it back into the woods

OSB weighs more per thickness.
OSB is cheaper.
Weather resistance depends a lot on the adhesive used and how well it is sealed or painted.
Outdoor grade plywood can last decades, but it is also heavy.
OSB is less likely to warp, if protected against water (plywood may warp from heating from sun exposure).
Once OSB starts to rot, it goes fast.

I've got two I made with OSB, painted, 8 yrs old and still structurally sound. Still has initial one coat of paint.

OP have you considered just buying a tripod? Floods shouldn't bother them unless you have some good flowing water & then you could just chain it to a tree or something.

Just bring me with you, I'll provide the stands.

Find someone discarding good wood. Profit. I wish I was joking....

One of our blinds is made from materials cut out of the walls of a shed about to be torn down. Another is made from scraps of tennis court wall, the local high school was rebuilding. Free used marine grade plywood, don't mind if I do!

why not use Hardiplank, then you won't have any worries at all

I think you could get three years. I would paint the inside as well.

I really want to know what kind of environment your stands are in that OSB only lasts 3 years.

I get the struggle the OP is having making a decision for something liable to flood.... But where are you other guys hunting and what are you doing to your stands that OSB only last 3 years??

Hell, our small cabin we built 23 years ago on the lease still has original OSB on it as the only outside sheathing. Only one coat of paint has been added since the original and it's still in great shape.

clintaggie04 said:

---

Thanks for actually answering my question! Lol.

So you think with a couple thick coats of paint I can get 3 years or so out of OSB walls?

---

I built one 10 years ago with osb, I used aluminum windows and trimmed the windows and corners with cedar 1x4. I didn't paint it the first year as I built it last minute before season. This created some future issues since the osb swole up a couple times when it rained. I painted it maybe three times since, a couple coats each time and it's held up pretty well considering. No visible rot or leaks.

The key will be treating/ painting it as soon as you can so the osb doesn't delaminate, creating little pockets and such for the water to get into the materials even with a couple coats of paint.

Depending on what you do for windows you'll want to smear some caulk on those cut edges as well as the bottom edge where rain will tend to run back and soak up into the bottom edge of the material. If you treat those edges as well as painting the surfaces, you should get years of use out of it.

OSB then use FlexSeal as the paint. If it floods, you should be able to ride in it like a boat.