Ok we have done some experiments. First the Disclaimer...The tests are far from scientific!
Here is what we did. We cut 4 pieces of different types of flooring. All were cut to 12"x12".
We weighed them. Took moisture content readings before hand, although none of them registered on the meter.....so all were below 7%
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1. Standard OSB 3/4"
2. Standard Ply 5/8" ( I would have used 3/4" to keep it the same but didnt have any)
3. Advantech 3/4"
4. Plytanium Dry-Ply 3 /4"
After cutting and weighing we place them in a rubbermaid bin.
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We filled the bin with 6" of water apprx 1/2 way up the boards. We only filled 6" so we could see how far the water would wick into the wood.
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The wood has sat in the bin for 54hrs.
And here are some results.
Note: moisture content readings were taken in the dry face area of the wood about 2" from the top edge. If we had taken them in the below water line area they would have all been of the chart.
1. Std OSB 3/4" Starting weight 2lb 4oz
After soaking 3lb 5oz apprx a 47% increase in weight
Moisture content 15%
Bottom wet edge swelled 3/16"
2. Standard Ply 5/8" Starting weight 1lb 14oz
After soaking 2lb 8 oz 33% increase in weight
Moisture content 15%
Bottom wet edge swelled 1/8 (remember only 5/8 to start)
3. Advantech Starting weight 2lb 2oz
After soaking 2lb 12.5oz 30.8% increase
Moisture content 8%
Bottom wet edge swelled 1/8"
4. Plytanium Dry-Ply Starting weight 2lb 5oz
After soaking 2lb 15oz 27% increase
Moisture content 16%
Bottom edge swelled 1/8"
So the Dry-Ply & the Advantech absorbed less water. No suprise there.
What is interesting is the moisture content readings between the 2. Both were taken on the same place on the board between the water line and the top of the board. The Dry Ply 16% the Advantech only 8%. While the advantech absorbed almost 4% more water weight. The conclusion is the water wicked farther through the Dry-Ply while the Advantech absorbed mostly at & below the water line with less wicking.
After realizing this we took moisture readings at the very top dry edge of the boards to see how far the water had wicked on each. Here are the results
1. Standard OSB 7%
2. Std Ply 13%
3. Dry Ply 12%
4. Advantech 0%
Then I took readings on the Advantech & Dry-Ply undersides. The non-exposure side.
Dry-Ply 25%
Advantech 16%
So if you had a leak below your floor the Advantech would absorb less moisture....in theory.
A couple of other notes.
Both Ply products warpped more that either the OSB or the Advantech
The standard ply bottom wet edge was the only factory edge. Not sure it matters.
The Advantech was also the toughest to insert the moiture probe into.
For the $ I would still chose the Advantech. If you have a long term leak that goes undiscovered for long period of time the damaged area will be contained more as the water will not wick as much.
More pics to come