GreenGirt Steel™

GreenGirt Steel is a new ground-breaking entry-level steel-based continuous insulation system that delivers unmatched strength, superior thermal performance, and twice the installation speed—without added complexity or cost.

Steel Z-girt system with thermal break technology

An entry-level continuous insulation system that delivers 20–50% more strength than other perforated thermal metal Z-girts while providing code-compliant energy efficiency. Its steel Z-girt sub-framing with thermal brackets integrates with any insulation, and the overlapping design halves installation time. Integrated insulation retention locks eliminate stick pins and thousands of thermal bridges, achieving the highest effective R-value for a steel-based system. GreenGirt Steel’s minimal design and integrated thermal brackets further reduce energy transfer, helping buildings achieve their energy efficiency goals.

How It Works

The GreenGirt Steel™ system adheres to the eight continuous insulation best practices. Additional features that make the GreenGirt Steel system stand out as the best choice for your building include:

20–50% stronger than other perforated thermal metal Z-girts

GreenGirt Steel’s advanced design provides 20–50% stronger than other perforated thermal metal Z-girts, ensuring superior durability and load-bearing capacity for building envelopes.

Installs up to 2X faster than other systems

GreenGirt Steel’s streamlined design allows it to be installed up to twice as fast as other systems, saving both time and labor on construction projects.

Highest R-value for a steel-based system

GreenGirt Steel offers the highest R-value among steel-based systems, ensuring superior thermal performance and enhanced energy efficiency for building envelopes.

Thermal expansion and contraction at connections

GreenGirt Steel’s ability to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction at connections reduces stress on the system, maintaining structural integrity.

Insulation retention lock holds insulation in place

GreenGirt Steel’s integrated insulation retention lock keeps insulation securely in place, simplifies installation, and eliminates stick pins/fasteners and thousands of thermal bridges.

GreenGirt Steel™ Configuration Options

Compatible Insulation	Mineral wool, spray foam, rigid insulation
System Components	GreenGirt Steel Z-girts with thermal brackets
Compatible Substrates	Masonry, concrete, wood or metal studs with sheathing
GreenGirt Steel Z-Girt Length	8' standard (includes additional 4" for overlap)
GreenGirt Steel Z-Girt Depths	1.5", 2", 2.5", 3", 3.5", 4", 4.5", 5"
Compatible Insulation Thickness	1.5", 2", 2.5", 3", 3.5", 4", 4.5", 5"
GreenGirt CMH Z-Girt Orientation	Horizontal, vertical
Compatible Cladding	All
Drainage Plane Location	Behind GreenGirt Steel System

Downloads

Download essential technical documents to streamline your design, specification, and installation process.

Brochure

GreenGirt Steel LEED v5.0 Credits Worksheet

Installation Guide

Specifications

Installation Guide – Using the Hand Tool

Thermal Performance Report

AN Products Award winner badge for GreenGirt Steel

GreenGirt Steel uses an overlapping design to ensure ease of installation and increase efficiency on the jobsite.

Each GreenGirt Steel Z-girt is equipped with built-in insulation retention locks. Once activated, the locks are designed to effectively hold insulation in place, eliminating the need for additional insulation retention materials such as stick pins.

Overlapping GreenGirt Steel Z-girts over mineral wool insulation.

Using a thermal bracket to activate the insulation retention lock on an installed GreenGirt Steel Z-girt.

A building wall featuring the GreenGirt Steel continuous insulation system and mineral wool insulation.

Installation of the GreenGirt Steel continuous insulation system (with insulation retention locks not yet activated), highlighting the use of the system’s thermal brackets.

Full installation of the GreenGirt Steel continuous insulation system, capturing the system’s ease of installation and structural integrity.

How to install

Expert installation made simple

Discover a step-by-step guide, ensuring a seamless and efficient installation process. Access detailed instructions and tips to enhance installation of your GreenGirt Steel System.

Download installation manual

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What size options are available for GreenGirt Steel™?

GreenGirt Steel™ Z-girts are 8 ft standard length (including an additional 4 in for overlap), in widths from 1.5 in to 5 in (0.5 in increments). GreenGirt Steel can be installed horizontally or vertically.

How much stronger is GreenGirt Steel than other perforated thermal metal Z-girts?

GreenGirt Steel™ is 20–50% stronger than other perforated thermal metal Z-girts, delivering higher durability and load-bearing capacity while still supporting code-compliant continuous insulation performance.

Is GreenGirt Steel™ available in stainless steel?

Yes. GreenGirt Steel™ is available in three finish options: standard G90 galvanized steel, ZM40 (a Zn-Al-Mg coating with substantially higher corrosion resistance than standard G90), and stainless steel, for projects in coastal, high-humidity, or otherwise corrosive environments.

What cladding and substrates is GreenGirt Steel™ compatible with?

GreenGirt Steel™ is compatible with all cladding types, including metal, wood, brick, stone, aluminum, terracotta, and stucco. On the substrate side, it’s compatible with masonry, concrete, or metal or wood studs with sheathing.

What insulation types and thicknesses work with GreenGirt Steel™?

GreenGirt Steel™ is compatible with mineral wool, spray foam, and rigid insulation, in thicknesses from 1.5″ to 5″.

What are insulation retention locks, and how do they work on GreenGirt Steel™?

Each GreenGirt Steel™ Z-girt comes with built-in insulation retention locks that hold insulation securely in place once activated during installation. This eliminates the need for stick pins or other separate fasteners, simplifying installation and removing the thermal bridges those extra fasteners would otherwise create.

What is the thermal performance of GreenGirt Steel™?

GreenGirt Steel™ achieves overall assembly thermal efficiencies of up to 97%, depending on wall assembly type (steel-frame, wood-frame, or concrete), girt spacing, insulation depth, and finish, with stainless steel finishes consistently outperforming galvanized steel at the same spacing and depth.