Furring Strips for Siding: Everything You Need to Know

Have you ever heard of siding furring strips? This basic component may assist siding offer superior water damage protection, and it plays a key function in moisture management and weather-proofing the outside of a house.

Whether you’re renovating an existing house, replacing the siding with something more contemporary, or constructing a new home from the ground up, knowing all of the benefits available will help you design a more durable exterior that will give greater protection from the weather.
What Exactly Are Furring Strips?
Furring strips are long, narrow pieces of material that are inserted occasionally as part of the façade to generate critical space and ventilation inside the wall. They are often constructed of plywood or metal. Furring strips are invisible from the outside because they are sandwiched between the weather-resistant barrier and the siding. Though there are some variances based on the building technology employed, most builders use weather-resistant barriers such as a rainscreen or housewrap.

Furring strips provide two main functions. For starters, they offer a surface on which siding may be affixed on the exterior of the housewrap. For a safe and durable installation, most panel siding needs a solid surface or backing. Furring strips give dependable support.

The second — and most significant — function of siding furring strips is to establish a vital gap between the siding and the weather-resistant barrier of the home’s exterior. This gap effectively produces a drainage plane, allowing the rainscreen to function as intended. In other words, it lets moisture to flow downwards and dry off without allowing it to infiltrate further into the property.

Furring strips are a low-cost modification that may improve the overall function of siding. Let’s look at what furring strips are used for, how to install them, and other methods to improve moisture management with correct siding installation and materials.
Why Is Siding Ventilation So Important?
Furring strips are an important feature of the home’s exterior because they aid in moisture control by providing more ventilation and drainage. Ventilation is critical for water control since standing water may cause serious harm.

Saturated areas and stagnant moisture may cause a variety of problems that compromise a home’s structural integrity and visual value. Excess moisture and humidity may provide ideal circumstances for mould and bacterial development, compromising indoor air quality. Moisture may also cause leaks or unsightly wall stains, both inside and out. Furthermore, moisture damage may weaken some materials, such as wood, causing the siding or structural beams to rot, swell, or soften. Many of these problems may be prevented with adequate ventilation and water control.