Furring Strip Alignment System

Abstract

A furring strip system with built-in alignment and airspace between interior and exterior walls for ventilation and rainscreen protection. A wall grid system speeds installation. The furring strip system has application to installation of drywall panels, deck applications, and floor applications. The system allows release of moisture from wood and wood plastic composite (WPC) decking via a space between boards. The invention further has application to roof installations with cross bars as well as different types of roofing, and ceiling applications.

1 . A furring attachment and alignment system for building panels, comprising a plurality of metal furring strips each having an air space channel formed therein, at least one cross-member connected to said plurality of metal furring strips to align said strips in a preselected spacing interval, said air space channel being placed against a building substrate surface so as to provide a moisture ventilation mechanism for releasing moisture between said building panels and said building substrate surface. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said building panels are roofing panels. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said building panels are interior walls. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said building panels are flooring panels. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said building panels are decking panels. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said furring strips each contain at least one slot, said system further comprising a hanging tool having a clamping mechanism for attaching to said furring strips through said slots, which tool temporarily holds said building panels in place to allow final attachment to said furring strips. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said furring strips have a minimal amount of contact with said substrate to minimize heat conduction via said furring strips. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein said furring strips include hemmed legs which contact said substrate and form a moisture drainage channel between said substrate and said building panels. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said furring strips are made of G-90 galvanization steel. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second cross-member connected to said furring strips to form a grid system for installation of said furring system over an entire substrate at one time. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cross-members include attachment mechanisms for automatically aligning the strips  16 ″ on center to attach to studs associated with said substrate. 
   
   
       12 . A panel hanging tool for use with the system of  claim 1 , which tool is inserted into openings formed in said strips, and which holds said building panels in place temporarily until final attachment to said furring strips. 
   
   
       13 . The panel hanging tool of  claim 12 , wherein said tool includes a plurality of slots for insertion of a clip to accommodate various increments and sizes of panels being used. 
   
   
       14 . A metal furring strip that has at least one hemmed leg and a hollow back to allow drainage of moisture. 
   
   
       15 . The metal furring strip of  claim 13 , further comprising a thermal barrier coating. 
   
   
       16 . The metal furring strip of  claim 14 , wherein said furring strip is made of G-90 galvanization steel. 
   
   
       17 . A metal furring strip having a plurality of mounting hooks for tongue-and-groove building panels to be attached thereto, wherein said mounting hooks provide a space between said panels to allow moisture drainage between panels. 
   
   
       18 . The metal furring strip of  claim 17 , further comprising a thermal barrier coating. 
   
   
       19 . The metal furring strip of  claim 17 , wherein said furring strip is made of G-90 galvanization steel.