What is a chase wall?

Author: Lela Pollich  |  Last update: Monday, March 23, 2026

A chase, as it pertains to new home construction, is a vertical space in a wall that provides an area for pipes or wires to run through. These chases are placed in a strategic way so that cables can be gathered and run together. A chase is simply installed from a single open space to another.

What does chasing walls mean?

A chase is a groove or channel cut into an existing layer or substrate to accommodate services such as pipes or cables. Chasing is the act of cutting a chase and is usually undertaken in solid wall or solid floor construction.

What does "chase" mean in construction terms?

Chase – An enclosed opening through a floor and/or ceiling to install pipes, duct work or electrical lines.

What is the purpose of a furring wall?

In construction, furring (furring strips) are strips of wood or other material applied to a structure to level or raise the surface, to prevent dampness, to make space for insulation, to level and resurface ceilings or walls, or to increase the beam of a wooden ship.

What is the difference between a shaft and a chase?

Chases are (vertical) coverings applied around elements of construction to manage, hide or protect the elements or areas outside beyond the chase. Shafts are Fire Protected chases.

HEATING PIPES | HOW TO FILL THE CHASES

Do Chase walls need to be fire-rated?

Chases and recesses in masonry walls shall be designed and constructed so as not to reduce the required strength or required fire resistance of the wall and in no case shall a chase or recess be permitted within the required area of a pier.

When would you use a shaft wall?

A shaftwall enclosure is a fire-rated wall assembly that can be installed from one side. It is used to enclose elevator shafts, stairwells and service shafts in low-, medium- and high-rise commercial and residential buildings, providing an important fire and life safety feature for occupants.

Why is it called furring?

We do it all the time in remodeling. But where does that term come from? Back in the “old days”, when winter arrived, people would take their clothing to the furrier to get furred out. This meant attaching fur strips to the inside of a garment to give it extra warmth and depth.

What does furring look like?

Furring strips are slender, long strips of wood — typically spruce, fir or Southern yellow pine. These types of wood have good structural integrity and are useful in both exterior and interior structural applications.

Why is it advisable to furr build out an exterior wall that is using a wood siding?

Furring strips provide reliable backing. The second — and most important — purpose of furring strips for siding is that they create a crucial gap between the siding and the weather-resistant barrier of the home's exterior. This gap effectively forms a drainage plane that enables the rainscreen to work as designed.

What are the boards above a ceiling called?

Ceiling joists

These boards are generally 2”x6” boards, up to 2”x12” and are located directly above the drywall ceiling. They will run across the ceiling of each room and be supported on each end by a wall. They are stood up on their thin edge and will usually have some sort of insulation between them.

What is an example with Chase?

She chased a dog off the lawn. He chased the kids away from his new car. She chased the cats out of her garden. Our last mayor was chased from office by political enemies.

What is the purpose of a chase wall?

A chase, as it pertains to new home construction, is a vertical space in a wall that provides an area for pipes or wires to run through. These chases are placed in a strategic way so that cables can be gathered and run together. A chase is simply installed from a single open space to another.

What are the rules for chasing walls?

Vertical chases should not be deeper than 1⁄3 of the wall thickness or, in cavity walls, 1⁄3 of the thickness of the leaf. Horizontal chases should not be deeper than 1⁄6 of the thickness of the wall or leaf.

How long does chasing walls take?

How long does wall chasing take? An electrician can chase a wall in mere moments with a wall chaser. Done by hand with a chisel and hammer will take much longer, and even longer again if you're chasing a cement wall.

What is the difference between furring and batten?

Furring channels are also sometimes called the 'top hat channels' because if you look at them from their ends, they're the shape of a top hat. As well as ceiling battens, furring channels can attach plasterboard to walls. Conversely, ceiling battens are used only for ceilings and residential construction.

Can drywall be attached to furring strips?

Yes you can attach drywall to furring strips - as long as the furring strips are solid and preferably screwed into the joists. 1/2” drywall is sag resistant up to 24” if it is hung perpendicular to furring strips on ceilings. If you hang it parallel to the furring strips it is only sag resistant until 16”.

What is a wall furring in construction?

A furring wall is an interior wall construction technique where strips of wood or metal, called furring strips, are attached to a wall to create an air space or to provide a level surface for the attachment of finish materials. Are you tired of uneven or unattractive walls in your home?

Why is it called drywall?

The name “drywall” refers to the fact that walls made of the material are installed without the use of water. A major problem with plaster had been the extremely long drying time associated with it, as it was installed wet, and installers had to wait for the previous layer to dry before installing the next one.

What does it mean when a wall is furred out?

A fur out wall aka furring wall is basically a wall that's been made thicker, by using furring strips, than what was originally constructed. The primary reason for furring a wall is to add to its depth or thickness. It's like building a wall of furring strips inside an existing wall.

What is furring in English?

noun. the act of lining, trimming, or clothing with fur: Furring this coat will take several weeks.

What is the fire rating of a chase wall?

A single layer 5/8 inch Type X gypsum board on both sides of a chase or standard wall provides an equivalent one hour of fire resistance. Two layers on each side provide two hours of fire resistance.

What is a ch stud?

Steeler Shaftwall Studs (also known as C-H Studs) can be easily combined with J Track to craft economical yet tough shaftwall systems. With a fire rating of up to 2 hours, Steeler C-H Studs are UL certified for Fire Resistance Rating, meaning peace-of-mind for designers and elevated safety for occupants.

Where are stud walls used?

A stud wall is a type of office partitioning. In general, they're non-load bearing and therefore mostly used for interior use in commercial environments. For many businesses, stud partition walls are an affordable way to build new meeting rooms or update existing offices.

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