furring strip
C1Technical / Trade
Definition
Meaning
A thin, narrow piece of wood or metal used to level or create a flat surface, often attached to a wall, ceiling, or floor as a base for finishing materials.
In construction, any material used to create a gap, provide a level surface, or serve as a mounting point for cladding, plasterboard, or other finishes; also used to refer to the process of installing such strips.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a construction/carpentry term. The 'furring' refers to the process of leveling or building out a surface. Can be used as a mass noun ('the furring') or a count noun ('a furring strip').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is common in both, but 'batten' (UK) can sometimes overlap in meaning for wooden strips. 'Furring channel' (metal) is a specific subtype used in both.
Connotations
No significant connotative differences. Purely descriptive technical term.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, but standard in UK trade contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[install/attach/nail/screw] + furring strip + [to/onto/across] + surfaceuse + furring strip + [to level/to create a cavity/to mount]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in procurement for construction projects.
Academic
Rare, except in architecture, engineering, or building conservation texts.
Everyday
Very rare; used almost exclusively by DIY enthusiasts or professionals.
Technical
Standard term in construction, carpentry, drywalling, and renovation.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We'll need to fur out that wall before boarding it.
- The ceiling was furred to conceal the pipes.
American English
- We need to furr that wall before hanging the drywall.
- They furred out the masonry to create an air gap.
adverb
British English
- [Not standard; no adverbial use]
American English
- [Not standard; no adverbial use]
adjective
British English
- The furring channel is galvanised.
- Check the furring timber for straightness.
American English
- Use furring nails for this job.
- The furring material was pressure-treated.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The builder used a long piece of wood.
- We bought some wood strips to make the wall flat.
- Before installing the plasterboard, the carpenter nailed furring strips to the uneven brickwork.
- To mitigate thermal bridging, the design specified resilient metal furring channels fixed to the structural frame before the interior lining was applied.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FUR' making a surface 'FUR-ther' out from the wall, and a STRIP of material does it.
Conceptual Metaphor
BUILDING IS LAYERING: The strip is a foundational layer that creates space and flatness for the final surface.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not literally translate as 'меховая полоса' (fur strip). It is unrelated to animal fur.
- Closest equivalents are 'обрешётка' (battens/lathing) or 'рейка' (slat).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'furing strip'.
- Confusing with a 'stud' (which is a primary vertical structural member).
- Using it to mean any kind of wooden strip, rather than one specifically for leveling or creating a cavity.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary purpose of a furring strip?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In UK English, 'batten' is a broader term that can include what Americans call a 'furring strip'. However, 'furring strip' specifically implies its use for leveling or creating a cavity.
Typically wood (often 1x2 or 1x3 timber) or light-gauge metal (called 'furring channels').
Yes, they are commonly used on ceilings to level the surface or to lower a ceiling to hide pipes or ducts, creating a 'dropped' or 'furred' ceiling.
A furring strip runs the length of a surface to create a new plane. A shim is a small, often wedge-shaped piece used to fill a localised gap behind a furring strip or other element to correct minor unevenness.