For projects that require light- to medium-weight cladding, the most effective continuous insulation system on the market is GreenGirt Optima CMH™. This composite metal hybrid Class I system delivers high performance for light- to medium-weight cladding, in comparison to Class III FRP-only systems, without sacrificing structural integrity or thermal efficiency. This article demonstrates how GreenGirt Optima CMH surpasses Class III systems in providing the highest-quality performance as a continuous insulation system for buildings with light- to medium-weight cladding.
What’s Included with GreenGirt Optima CMH
Construction of the Porsche Long Beach project in Long Beach, California, which used GreenGirt Optima CMH and ACM cladding on the building’s walls.
GreenGirt Optima CMH is a Class I continuous insulation system that consists of a composite metal hybrid design. Combining the strength of steel and the thermal efficiency of fiberglass means that the GreenGirt Optima CMH system does not sacrifice performance in either category. This system features thinner 0.17” rear- and forward-facing flanges composed with crosswise and lengthwise tensile strength. The thinner flanges reduce the amount of steel used in every system and the amount of carbon emitted during production, while delivering the highest strength-to-weight ratio that exceeds 16-gauge steel Z-girts. Without surrendering structural integrity or thermal efficiency, GreenGirt Optima CMH delivers Class I performance that Class III systems cannot match.
How GreenGirt Optima CMH Outperforms Class III Systems
Construction of the Durham Board of Elections building in Durham, North Carolina, which used GreenGirt Optima CMH and metal panel cladding on the building’s walls.
GreenGirt Optima CMH is designed to support buildings with light- to medium-weight cladding requirements, just as Class III products provide. For example, ACM panels, fiber cement panels, and high-pressure laminate panels. The following points compare the performance of this Class I system to Class III products.
- Installation Processes – GreenGirt Optima CMH features lightweight components with interlocking, steel-reinforced flanges that easily connect each Z-girt, streamlining installation and minimizing labor. Class III systems rely on butt joints to connect one Z-girt to the next, which is unreliable and causes damage to the building’s health.
- Thermal Efficiency – With 92–99% static thermal efficiency, GreenGirt Optima CMH sets the industry benchmark by consistently and fully eliminating thermal bypass with innovative ThermaLock technology. Class III products vary in static thermal efficiency performance, making designing for consistency extremely difficult compared to GreenGirt Optima CMH.
- Fastener Connections – Fasteners achieve greater integrity with GreenGirt Optima CMH than those used with FRP-only Z-girts forming durable, permanent steel-to-steel fastener connections. Unlike Class III systems, GreenGirt Optima CMH avoids “unavoidable failure” risks that occur in Class III fastener connections due to the lack of steel to anchor the fasteners in place.
- Tensile Strength – Engineered for both crosswise and lengthwise tensile strength, the GreenGirt Optima CMH system evenly distributes loads and prevents product and fastener creep over time. Generally, Class III products are not manufactured with crosswise and lengthwise tensile strength, which inevitably leads to fastener and material creep that causes irreversible damage to the building’s structure.
- Insulation Retention – The patented ThermaLock technology not only eliminates thermal bypass but also secures insulation with dual three-point compression seals—no additional stickpins or fasteners required. This technology is only available with CMH systems. Class III products rely on extra materials to hold insulation in place, increasing the costs for materials and installation.
Conclusion
GreenGirt Optima CMH continues to provide high-quality performance as a continuous insulation system for buildings that require light- to medium-weight cladding. This system outperforms Class III systems because of the composite metal hybrid design that combines the strength of steel with the thermal efficiency of fiberglass. The benefits and comparisons highlighted above situates GreenGirt Optima CMH as a more effective continuous insulation system for lighter cladding needs over Class III products.
For more information on GreenGirt Optima CMH and how it outperforms Class III products, visit GreenGirt.com.
