Stucco Facade: The Benefits of Using GreenGirt CMH & SMARTci Systems

GreenGirt CMH™ continuous insulation and SMARTci® building enclosure systems are designed for compatibility with any type of cladding material with various structural loads and performance requirements, including stucco. Stucco is a heavyweight, decorative cladding material whose durability is enhanced with these reliable thermally broken cladding support systems.

This article discusses the benefits of using GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci on buildings with a stucco facade and highlights several projects where this combination was used to maximize thermal efficiency and durability.

Benefits of using Stucco with GreenGirt CMH & SMARTci

Stucco is a mixture of cement, lime, sand, and water. This heavyweight material is applied wet and hardens into a decorative design as it dries or can be installed in panels. However, it needs a continuous insulation system to support its weight and maintain the building’s structural integrity. Some of the benefits of using GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems with stucco include:

1. Increased durability, optimized strength, and sustained building longevity and structural integrity.
2. Secure thermal efficiency, as GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci eliminate thermal bridging and thermal bypass while helping the building to maintain a high effective R-value.
3. Support stucco as it thrives in hot and humid environments, keeping moisture away from the building’s interior with SMARTci’s effective air- and water-tight barrier.
4. The steel used in GreenGirt CMH systems provide solid rigidity that allows even deeper Z-girts to be used while achieving the strict deflection criteria required for stucco-clad walls.

The MGM Springfield Resort

Construction of the MGM Springfield Resort in Massachusetts, which used stucco cladding with the SMARTci building enclosure system on closed framing.

The MGM Springfield Resort, located in Massachusetts, encompasses a casino, four-star hotel tower, Class A office spaces, meeting and convention spaces, seven eateries, and several more upscale features. This project was a mixture of new construction and retrofitting historical buildings, promoting the use of salvaged materials and achieving LEED Platinum certification.

To support the seven different cladding types used on this building, including heavier materials such as stucco, SMARTci was installed on closed framing on the building’s walls at 4” deep and 16” on center with polyiso insulation.

Orlando International Airport Terminal C

Construction of Orlando International Airport’s Terminal C in Florida, which installed the SMARTci building enclosure system on open framing on the building’s walls.

The Orlando International Airport project in Florida is the massive expansion of Terminal C, which included the addition of 15 additional aircraft gates, an upgrade to the airport’s Automated People Mover, and a rehabilitation of its existing taxiways.

Because this building utilized stucco cladding, the SMARTci system was installed horizontally on open framing at 2” deep and 16” on center with polyiso insulation. The durability of GreenGirt CMH Z-girts was able to effortlessly withstand the heavyweight demands of stucco cladding without the need for additional supportive materials.

While some areas of the expansion utilized the SMARTci system, other areas did not utilize continuous insulation, which led to cracking in the stucco. This demonstrates the impact that a continuous insulation system can have on supporting stucco cladding, specifically how the GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci systems easily withstand the weight.

Centerstone Behavioral Hospital & Addiction Center

The completed Centerstone Behavioral Hospital & Addiction Center in Bradenton, Florida, which installed the SMARTci building enclosure system on closed framing on the building’s walls. Photo by JE Charlotte.

The Centerstone Behavioral Hospital & Addiction Center project in Bradenton, Florida, was the addition of new features to an existing 1955 facility. This addition included new occupancy rooms for treatment and care, a new nurse’s station, a dayroom, and café.

This project utilized stucco cladding for the additions to the existing facility, which required the strength of GreenGirt CMH Z-girts to maintain the building’s structural integrity with heavyweight cladding. The SMARTci system was installed vertically on closed framing 2” deep and 16” on center with polyiso insulation to support the demands of Centerstone’s expansion, demonstrating the effectiveness of SMARTci as a thermally broken cladding support system.

Conclusion

Using GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci with stucco cladding creates an effective combination of structural integrity and thermal efficiency for a building’s walls, ensuring the weight of stucco is supported properly. The MGM Springfield Resort, the Orlando International Airport Terminal C, and the Centerstone facility projects demonstrate the benefits of using GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci with stucco as these buildings maintain their structure and positive impact on the environment.

Not only is stucco heavy and aesthetically pleasing, its functionality with GreenGirt CMH and SMARTci increases durability, thermal efficiency, prevents moisture infiltration, reduces material costs, and establishes fire-resistant walls.

Get Specs & Details for GreenGirt & SMARTci Systems for Your Stucco-Clad Project

Pull project-ready documents that will help you easily specify GreenGirt & SMARTci systems for your stucco-clad project.

Download A2P’s Project-Ready Technical Documents

Need support in designing a structurally sound building envelope for your next stucco-clad project? Our expert engineering team is available to assist you with technical guidance to properly design GreenGirt and SMARTci systems with your stucco-clad project.

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Related Resources:

GreenGirt Max CMH System Components & Performance Data

Download A2P’s System-Specific Installation Guides

View “Best Practice: Structural Integrity”

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