Using 2-inch strapping to create
a space between the finish
wallboard (or plaster) and the
air/vapor barrier is now familiar, at
least in theory, to many builders.
Such a wall leaves space for added
insulation, reduces conductive
heat transfer through the framing,
and — because the electrical
wiring can run within the strapping
space — makes it easy to
install an unbroken vapor barrier.
Our building firm, Drerup
Armstrong in Ontario, Canada,
uses two strapped wall systems: one
using 2x2-inch strapping, and
another using 2x3-inch strapping.
We've found that these systems
give much better thermal performance
than single-stud framing at
relatively little added cost.
The Basics
The illustration below shows the
main elements of the strapped wall
system we use. Before we install
the poly,