Top plate strap and drywall – GreenBuildingAdvisor

I’m going for as airtight of a drywall assembly as I can reasonably get. About the only thing that isn’t going to be sealed up is the cable entrances into the outlet boxes.

So with that in mind, what’s the best way to drywall around this plumbing vent and metal strap. The strap protrudes from the stud plane about 3/8”. Drywall is 1/2”.

Is the best route to butt the ceiling up to the strap?

And for the wall, better to cut out the perimeter of the strap and fill with mud or hog out the back of the drywall?

On a broader note, is there ever a time when trying to make the drywall airtight can hurt you? Or does it only over make the wall assembly safer from a moisture perspective?