Metal furring is a non-structural metal attachment that is used to hold a finish material. The channels or strips are used to raise surfaces off of a building in order to provide space for insulation, prevent moisture, level or resurface ceilings and walls, meet fire codes, or even create a sound barrier. Different furring channel sized have different applications, so it is important to choose the right sized strip for your job.
Hat Shaped Bent Metal
The most common type of metal furring used is hat-shaped bent metal. These strips are typically 7/8” high and 2 ¼” wide, including the attachment flanges. Furring channel sizes of this sort are commonly used for securing the outer layer of material in locations where screws and nails would otherwise be difficult to place.
Z Furring Channel
This is another commonly used channel. It is Z shaped and comes in a variety of sizes. Most typically, it is 1” to 3” and is meant to be attached to one surface with the bottom flange and be attached to the outer layer of another material with the other flange. This type of furring is appropriate for use as a spacer in commercial or residential applications because it creates space for an existing wall surface to be insulated or to have electrical or plumbing lines run horizontally and then be covered with a finish material.
Larger Sizes
Larger furring channel sizes can be used as a method of attaching drywall in places where the span of supporting members is too wide for direct application. For instance, bar joists are typically spaced farther apart than drywall can span. Therefore lengths of hat channel or Z furring can be used by attaching them perpendicularly to the joists and then hanging the drywall on that. For this purpose, the furring channel would need to be large and thick enough to be able to handle the weight of drywall spaced at 16” or 24” joist intervals.
Metal furring lends itself to a variety of applications. When used appropriately, it can help builders achieve structural integrity, meet fire ratings, and decrease the sound transmission from one room to the next.
