How to Nail a Furring Strip to a Cinder Block

Furring strips are long, thin pieces of wood, nailed to cinder blocks in order to support a finished wall. Installing furring strips on a masonry wall reduces the number of holes punctured into the cinder block, which weakens the block. Excess holes will also allow water to seep through the cinder block walls. Using furring strips also creates a dead air space between the cinder block and the finished wall, which acts as an insulator.

1. Mark the cinder block wall every 16 inches vertically and then every 16 inches horizontally to form a grid pattern. Use chalk to draw the lines and a straight edge as a guide.

2. Place the first furring strip over a vertical line.

3. Drill pilot holes, slightly smaller than the masonry anchor, through the furring strip into the cinder block with a power drill equipped with a masonry drill bit. Drill pilot holes every 16 inches down the length of the furring strip.

4. Place a masonry hammer-set anchor over the pilot hole and strike with a hammer to drive the anchor through the furring strip, into the cinder block. A masonry hammer-set anchor is made of metal; striking it with a hammer forces it into the cinder block and the anchor will then expand creating a tight, strong fit.

5. Continue to drill pilot holes through furring strips into the cinder block and anchoring them to the wall until furring strips cover all vertical lines.

6. Cut furring strips to fit horizontally between the vertical furring strips with a saw.

7. Place horizontal furring strips on the chalk lines, drill pilot holes and secure in place with anchors.

Tip

Consider adding a plastic barrier over the cinder block wall prior to installing furring strips in basements that have water problems. An alternative to nailing in furring strips is bonding them to the wall with construction adhesive.