In cold, sub-arctic locations, keeping buildings well-insulated throughout the winter is a major challenge and requires a robust continuous insulation and building enclosure system to handle the thermal efficiency expectations of these buildings. The GreenGirt CMH™ and GreenGirt Steel™ continuous insulation systems, and the SMARTci® building enclosure system are designed to meet these demands with ease. Installing GreenGirt and SMARTci systems in colder climates will not only increase energy efficiency, but will also maintain the building’s structural integrity.
This article will dive into the advantages of installing GreenGirt and SMARTci systems on sub-arctic projects and highlight three projects in Alaska that exemplify the effectiveness of installing these systems.
The Advantages of Using GreenGirt and SMARTci on Cold-Climate Projects
- GreenGirt and SMARTci systems deliver industry-leading thermal efficiency: minimizing heat loss through the building envelope and eliminating thermal bridging and thermal bypass, with thermal efficiencies up to 99%.
- Effective control surface and reducing condensation: keeping the interior side of the sheathing warm allows the continuous insulation system to move the dew-point outward, reducing condensation, mold, and freeze-thaw damage.
- Lower operating and peak heating loads: GreenGirt and SMARTci systems exceed the expectations of high effective R-values, which lowers energy costs for long, cold winters.
- Structural strength at low conductivity: steel reinforcement eliminates “unavoidable failure” that occurs in FRP-only products, and provides a screw-pull-out value exceeding generic perforated thermal metal Z-girts.
- No through-insulation fasteners: Insulation retention locks and ThermaLock technology eliminates thermal bridging and thermal bypass, simplifying air- and water-barrier solutions as well.
- Durability and corrosion-resistance: GreenGirt and SMARTci systems are unaffected by freeze-thaw cycling common in northern climates.
- Faster winter installation: easy and quick installation shortens time workers spend in harsh weather, reducing project risk.
Carlson Community Center
The Carlson Community Center project in Fairbanks, Alaska: G. Matt Krause’s first system installation to increase the thermal efficiency of wall assemblies.
A2P established its roots of thermally-efficient continuous insulation systems in Fairbanks, Alaska with the Carlson Community Center project. A2P’s CEO and Founder, G. Matt Krause, saw a need for buildings to have wall assemblies built to combat the varying temperatures that buildings encounter, especially in extreme climate zones such as Alaska.
This project consists of a venue designed to fit 5,000 people, and can be configured for sports, concerts, and other community events. Integrated throughout the building was Matt’s new continuous insulation system that utilizes fractional metal girts with thermal spacers, becoming the first continuous insulation system without any through-metal that would decrease the building’s thermal efficiency.
Barrow National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Weather Station
The completed Barrow NOAA Weather Station in Alaska, which installed the GreenGirt CMH continuous insulation system on the building’s walls.
The Barrow National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Station project in Alaska was the renovation of the Barrow Atmospheric Baseline Observatory that was first established in 1973. This new station was designed with LEED certification in mind, achieving LEED Silver status. Barrow’s weather station includes a NOAA laboratory space, collaborative laboratory space, a garage expansion, a roof deck, an instrument tower, and several other upgrades that expand collaboration opportunities.
To increase energy efficiency within this new weather station and support LEED certification initiatives, GreenGirt CMH was installed vertically on the walls at 6” deep and 16” on center with mineral wool insulation and metal siding cladding.
Watch this video of the Barrow NOAA Construction, which includes a glimpse of GreenGirt CMH being installed:
Tudor Park Business Plaza
Construction of the Tudor Park Business Plaza project in Anchorage, Alaska, which installed the SMARTci building enclosure system on closed framing on the building’s walls.
The Tudor Park Business Plaza project in Anchorage, Alaska is the complete remodel of this hospitality facility, maintaining the original foundation of the building. To increase the energy efficiency of this building while maintaining the facility’s structural integrity, the SMARTci system was installed horizontally on closed framing at 2” deep and 24” on center, with polyiso insulation and Fiberesin Stonewood Panels.
King Cove School
Construction of the King Cove School project in King Cove, Alaska, which installed the GreenGirt CMH continuous insulation system on the building’s walls.
The King Cove School project in King Cove, Alaska was the renovation of this K-12 school. The aim was to revitalize the school and increase its energy efficiency throughout the harsh winters in Alaska. To achieve high effective R-values, reduce thermal bridging and thermal bypass, all while increasing the durability of the building, GreenGirt CMH was installed vertically on the building’s walls at 5” deep and 16” on center, with mineral wool insulation and metal panel cladding.
Conclusion
Installing continuous insulation and building enclosure systems is crucial for maintaining energy efficiency and structural integrity throughout the harsh winters of sub-arctic climates. Specifically, GreenGirt and SMARTci systems will deliver high-performing energy efficiency by eliminating thermal bypass and thermal bridging, all while not having to sacrifice the structural integrity and durability of the building.
The Carlson Community Center, Barrow NOAA weather station, Tudor Park Business Plaza, and King Cove School demonstrate the effectiveness of installing GreenGirt and SMARTci systems on the walls of buildings in colder climates, bringing high-quality continuous insulation and building enclosure systems to even the harshest winters to exceed thermal efficiency expectations.
Visit GreenGirt.com for more information on how GreenGirt CMH, GreenGirt Steel, and SMARTci systems protect cold climate buildings, and contact us to request a quote for your next cold climate project.