Expert: Ted Barnhill (Principal, Design45 LLC) - 1/8/2010

Question
1x3 Strapping is typically used here in the northeast on ceiling joists, trusses, etc as support for drywall installation. With current trends to use engineered Lumber and trusses, is the use of strapping beneficial? I hear that you pay a penalty for the air space it creates between drywall %26 the ceiling insulation.  

Answer
Rick,

While each builder will have their own norms and preferences, mine would be to omit the strapping.

The main reason given for using strapping is to prevent cracking of drywall if the structure moves slightly over time, due to drying or seasonal lumber movement.  If your structure is engineered and built properly with dry dimensional lumber or engineered products, this will not be a problem.

Another reason I've heard is to provide more "surface area" for attaching drywall.  Unless your structural spacing is especially wide (more than 24"), then standard drywall fastener spacing is fully adequate, and any good installer should have no problem finding and hitting the structure.

In the age of more careful and precise building, the omission of strapping is one of the many ways that we can reduce waste in building.  The homeowner won't see any difference, but you will have saved one step in the building process, and a load of 1x3s.

Ted Barnhill
Design 45, LLC