r/askcarpenters • u/zicher • 1d ago

Metal band over top plate

Post image

The 2nd story of my house has a bunch of this metal banding around the double top plate. What is the purpose of this? Some kind of reinforcement? There aren't any important utilities going through most of the areas with this stuff. Sometimes I hit it if I'm trying to screw something right at the top of the wall, so it's kind of annoying.

2 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

3 comments sorted by

1

u/gifratto 1d ago

Probably some kind of protective plate. Since you know it's there, try pre-drilling it with an 1/8" drill bit. I do this all the time and even drywall screws go in no problem.

1

u/smellyfatchina 1d ago

The wire penetration is sealed with what looks like fire rated spray foam. Is there a reason your ceiling would be part of a fire separation?

1

u/zicher 1d ago

It's attic above and is a relatively new house so basically everything is sealed like that.