Mass timber framing building under construction. Photo by Gardner Group.
Explorations into sustainable construction and building materials have led to the integration of mass timber framing. This trend in wood framing materials has expressed several environmental, structural, and energy benefits for all types of buildings. The benefits of mass timber align with the benefits of GreenGirt continuous insulation and SMARTci building enclosure systems, as these solutions focus on prioritizing energy efficiency and structural integrity while leveraging sustainability practices.
This article further explains how GreenGirt CMH™, GreenGirt Steel™, and SMARTci® systems perfectly pair with mass timber framing for maximized energy efficiency and structural integrity.
What is Mass Timber?
Mass timber is a family of engineered wood framing products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), glued-laminated timber (glulam), nail-laminated timber (NLT) and other solid wood products. These materials are factory-fabricated for structural strength and precision, assembled in large layers for easy installation on-site.
Updated building codes in the U.S. and Canada now allow mass timber to be installed on buildings up to 18 stories high because properly designed mass timber framing demonstrate excellent fire resistance, adhering to NFPA 285 expectations.
Why has Mass Timber Become a Trend in Construction?
- Environmental and Carbon Goals. Timber framing comes from renewable forests and stores atmospheric carbon dioxide, achieving climate goals expected from stricter building codes and additional environmental certifications. Timber is harvested responsibly, produces less waste, is biodegradable, and requires less water than concrete and steel for production.
- Rapid Construction and Labor Efficiency. Timber framing is pre-fabricated, which reduces on-site labor time and personnel. This framing can also lower labor costs and result in fewer vehicles on the jobsite.
- Structural Performance. Timber framing has high strength-to-weight ratio. The framing is lighter than concrete, dimensionally stable, and can be used for long spans, reducing foundation loads and allowing construction on poor soils.
- Fire Safety and Code Compliance. Timber adheres to fire safety: if the framing is exposed to fire, the outer layer chars and forms an insulating layer that slows combustion while the structural core remains intact.
- Design Flexibility. Mass timber framing works well with hybrid systems, enabling unique architectural expressions.
- Thermal Performance. Thick timber framing provides good insulation, offers natural temperature regulation, and can contribute to occupant comfort.
5 Ways that GreenGirt CMH, SMARTci, and GreenGirt Steel can Support Mass Timber Framing
Exceptional Thermal Efficiency for Mass Timber Envelopes
GreenGirt CMH Z-girts deliver 92–99% thermal efficiency, eliminating thermal bridging and maintaining the highest effective R-values with any insulation type. GreenGirt Steel’s thermal brackets elevate metal-based performance into the 90% range, while SMARTci’s custom-profiled insulation creates a continuous, high-performance thermal layer, ideal for protecting mass timber from thermal loss and condensation risks.
Fire and Code Compliance for Mass Timber Projects
GreenGirt and SMARTci systems are tested to NFPA 285 and ASTM E84 standards, supporting projects that require fire-resistant or non-combustible exterior wall assemblies, a key need for mid-rise and high-rise mass timber-framed buildings.
Structural Strength for Heavy Timber Integration
GreenGirt CMH’s composite fiberglass base with steel-reinforced flanges offers exceptional strength and supports both vertical and horizontal applications without sacrificing thermal performance. GreenGirt Steel’s perforated thermal metal body and overlapping design delivers high strength, longer spans, and fewer attachment points, well-suited for CLT and glulam constructions.
Simple, Fast Installation that Supports Timber Construction Schedules
GreenGirt and SMARTci systems install using familiar screw-attachment methods, offer wider spacing capabilities, and incorporate non-corrosive or corrosion-resistant materials compatible with timber substrates. SMARTci’s integrated, custom-profiled insulation dramatically streamlines sequencing, installing up to 4x faster than many alternative systems, reducing labor time on mass-timber jobsites.
Air, Water, and Moisture Management for Timber Protection
SMARTci systems pair GreenGirt CMH Z-girts with custom-profiled rigid insulation to create a complete air- and water-tight barrier, preventing thermal bypass, moisture intrusion, and condensation buildup. This helps safeguard mass timber assemblies, supporting long-term durability and preserving structural integrity.
Conclusion
Mass timber framing continues to grow in the construction industry with its sustainability contributions, fire safety compliance, and easy installation. To complement the innovations of mass timber panels, GreenGirt and SMARTci solutions offer a strong balance between thermal efficiency and structural integrity, easing installation alongside timber framing. This combination shapes the future of energy-efficient, durable, and sustainable buildings.
If you have any questions on the flexibility of GreenGirt and SMARTci systems to accommodate mass timber and other framing materials, contact us today!