Drywall has all but made furring obsolete for new construction.
Furring strips are support mechanisms designed to carry the finishing surfaces of rooms. Usually 1 inch deep by 2 or 3 inches wide, furring strips are normally referred to simply as "furring," a word that can also refer to the process of installation. Although their use in new construction is almost obsolete, they still have a role in restoration projects and in retrofitting insulation.
Use in Traditional Building
In traditional building, furring strips were attached to a substrate -- whether a masonry wall or a wooden frame structure -- to support a finishing surface. The finishing surface typically comprised what Home Repair Geek refers to as "strap surface materials," being the lathes to which plaster was applied. Innovations in the construction trade, particularly the use of rigid board finishing such as gypsum drywall, have rendered the use of furring all but obsolete. The skill is still employed in restoring historical properties.
Use in Retrofitting Insulation
If insulation is to be retrofitted to a property, furring strips can be a valuable asset. They are attached to the pre-existing walls at intervals matched to the width of either foam insulation panels or batts of fiberglass insulation and around windows and doors. The insulation is then installed between the furring, after which a vapor barrier, then a rigid inner skin such as gypsum drywall, can be attached to the strips.
Materials and Installation
Furring strips are typically made of wood, but where building codes require a fireproof support mechanism, metal furring is used; metal is far more costly than the wood alternative. When attached to solid walls, furring strips are most commonly installed vertically; when attached to frame walls, they are normally horizontal, so they can be fastened to the studs or joists.
Attaching Furring Strips to Masonry
While electric or hammer staplers can be used to attach furring to a wooden substrate, staples are not strong enough to drive into masonry. The process of attaching furring strips to brick, block or concrete walls by drilling pilot holes, then fastening the furring strips with masonry screws, is time consuming and relatively costly. The use of a gun is faster and cheaper, but such tools require considerable expertise and protective clothing.
Pre-drill the furring strips so they do not split when the nails are fired through them, then hold them in place using construction adhesive extruded from a proprietary caulk gun. Use a low velocity, powder-actuated concrete nail gun -- colloquially called "Hilti guns" and "Ramset guns" for the most popular manufacturers -- to direct-fasten the furring strips to the concrete.
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