Furring

Furring

In light-frame construction, furring strips are long thin strips of wood or metal used to make backing surfaces to support the finished surfaces in a room. Furring refers to the backing surface, the process of installing it, and may also refer to the strips themselves.

Furring strips typically measure 1" x 2" or 1" x 3". They can be laid out perpendicular to studs or joists and nailed to them, or set vertically against an existing wall surface. The spacing between the strips depends on the type of finishing material. Wider spacing is typically used behind the heavy boards that support ceramic tiles. Closely spaced strips are needed for thin panelling or plaster. The use of strips with plaster, however, is called either lath and plaster or wattle and daub.

Metal furring strips can be used in towns where fire-proof supporting elements are required by the local building code. Often called "hat channels" to describe the profile (cross section), two flanges on each side of trapezoid shape, with a dimension of 7/8th of an inch thickness.

Furring is also used to support roof materials and may be seen under barn and shed roofs, but is often replaced in contemporary times by labor-saving plywood. Drywall has become the most common interior wall finishing material and doesn't need furring due to its strength. Furring is still used in remodeling work to fill out uneven sections for resurfacing.

"Firring" is a U.K. term for wood strips which are usually 50mm wide, tapered and fixed above wood roof joists to provide drainage falls below roof boarding.

Furring strips themselves are typically referred to as "battens" in the U.K..

Another, more erudite guess at the derivation is the German word "Führung", meaning guiding or leading, which is the function of these strips.


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  • furring — [fʉr′iŋ] n. 1. fur used for trimming or lining 2. the act of trimming, lining, etc. with fur 3. a coating of diseased or waste matter, as on the tongue 4. a) the fastening of thin strips of wood or metal as to joists, studs, or masonry walls in… …   English World dictionary

  • Furring — Fur ring, n. 1. (Carp.) (a) The leveling of a surface, or the preparing of an air space, by means of strips of board or of larger pieces. See {Fur}, v. t., 3. (b) The strips thus laid on. [1913 Webster] 2. (Shipbuilding) Double planking of a ship …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • furring — /ferr ing/, n. 1. the act of lining, trimming, or clothing with fur: Furring this coat will take several weeks. 2. the fur used: What kind of furring would you like? 3. the formation of a coating of matter on something, as on the tongue: A heavy… …   Universalium

  • Furring — Fur Fur, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Furred}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Furring}.] 1. To line, face, or cover with fur; as, furred robes. You fur your gloves with reason. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To cover with morbid matter, as the tongue. [1913 Webster] 3. (Arch …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • furring — noun 1. a furlike coating of matter as on the tongue • Hypernyms: ↑symptom 2. strip used to give a level surface for attaching wallboard • Syn: ↑furring strip • Hypernyms: ↑strip …   Useful english dictionary

  • furring strip — noun strip used to give a level surface for attaching wallboard • Syn: ↑furring • Hypernyms: ↑strip …   Useful english dictionary

  • furring insert — noun : a wire device inserted into concrete or masonry that serves as an anchor for the attachment of furring …   Useful english dictionary

  • furring — noun Date: 14th century 1. a fur trimming or lining 2. a. the application of thin wood, brick, or metal to joists, studs, or walls to form a level surface (as for attaching wallboard) or an air space b. the material used in this process …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • furring — noun a) Parts of clothing made from fur. b) A coating that resembles fur …   Wiktionary

  • furring — n. lining or garment made of fur; fur like whitish coating covering of substance (as on the tongue of a sick person); wooden strip used to give a level surface for attaching plasterboard fÉœr /fɜː n. hair of an animal; clothing made with fur;… …   English contemporary dictionary

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