Best PracticesSMARTci 3 in 1 SystemThermal BridgingA2P1014: Thermal Efficiency, Healthy Building, and Long-Term Savings: SMARTci 3 in 1 System

June 29, 2021
https://i0.wp.com/greengirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Blog2_1200x630.jpg?fit=1200%2C630&ssl=1

This blog is the second installment of a “SMARTci 3 In 1 System” 3-piece series looking at the effects of the pandemic and economic turndown and how the SMARTci 3 in 1 System offers the best practice solution to various problems the commercial building industry is facing.

Click here for the first installment in the series or to learn more about Advanced Architectural Products (A2P) SMARTci continuous insulation systems.

 

Best Practice Solution: SMARTci 3 in 1 Continuous Insulation System

As the world begins to recover from the 2020 global pandemic, owners, architects, developers, contractors, and sub-contractors are looking for solutions to overcome new industry hurdles. Alternative solutions to combat market trends, budget constraints, and project scheduling are imperative within today’s commercial building industry.

The first installment of our SMARTci 3 in 1 System series covers obstacles the building industry is currently facing, such as manufacturing shutdowns, transportation restrictions, disruptions in the supply chain, labor shortages, and skyrocketing building material costs. In addition, this article will look at Advanced Architectural Products (A2P) pandemic and economic recovery solutions and best practice cost-savings opportunity for your next building project, the SMARTci 3 in 1 System.

The SMARTci 3 in 1 System addresses the inadequacies of conventional insulation systems and the pandemic-induced economic uncertainty within the industry; the SMARTci 3 in 1 System by A2P was designed and engineered as an innovative, cost-effective, thermally efficient solution. A2P solves common hurdles owners, architects, developers, contractors, and sub-contractors face, such as rising material costs and labor shortages. The SMARTci 3 in 1 System is the best practice, all-in-one weather-resistive barrier (WRB), and continuous insulation (CI) solution.

The SMARTci 3 in 1 System consists of GreenGirt composite metal hybrid (CMH) z-girt sub-framing, pre-cut dual-faced polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation panels, and WRB accessories, including butt joint fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) splines, caulking, and tape. The combination of these components creates a complete, all-in-one WRB and thermally efficient CI system.

 

3-Simple Components to the SMARTci 3 in 1 System:

SMARTci GreenGirt

1. GreenGirt – GreenGirt composite metal hybrid (CMH) z-girt sub-framing structurally houses insulation material and provides a universal cladding and substrate attachment system. GreenGirt consists of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) material paired with a metal fastener retention system creating a CMH product that achieves longitudinal and crosswise strength.

GreenGirt z-girt sub-framing installs with open or closed framing. The CMH sub-framing also creates a thermal break while providing a structurally sound surface for universal cladding attachment to interior framing options. GreenGirt also features innovative center splines that act as sub-furring to help keep insulation panels in place, provides a 360° air seal, as well as an anti-siphon groove to aid in the system’s monolithic drainage plane.

 

SMARTci 3 in 1 polyiso insulation

 

 

2. Pre-Cut Insulation – Reducing the amount of insulation needed to achieve desired R-values, Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) insulation panels paired with GreenGirt sub-framing. The dual foil-faced profiled polyiso insulation panels fit seamlessly within the GreenGirt z-girt sub-framing. The profiled insulation panels are pre-cut in the factory, which minimizes waste and allows for an efficient installation process as it becomes a stackable assembly. In addition, the insulation panels are pre-cut to precise measurements before leaving our factory, which can eliminate extra steps of measuring for spacing during installation.

 

 

 

SMARTci 3 in 1 WRB accessories

3. Weather-Resistive Barrier (WRB) Accessories – The system’s WRB accessories include butt joint FRP splines, caulking, and tape. When applied together, the addition of these simple, cost-effective, and user-friendly accessories provides your structure with a 360° WRB. These accessories include butt joint FRP splines, caulking, and tape. Butt joint splines consist of FRP material placed between the pre-cut polyiso insulation to form a seamless connection between panels.

Caulking of all joint corners and terminations contributes to accomplishing a complete weather barrier seal. While placing insulation panels, joints are caulked from the center splines on the GreenGirt z-girts to the butt joint FRP splines between each insulation panel. The 3 in 1 CI system’s final step is adhering tape over seams (vertically and horizontally) from the bottom to the top of the wall. The tape must install in an overlapping fashion to form an uninterrupted drainage plane.

Once the taping is complete, the SMARTci 3 in 1 finished product is a high-performance, all-in-one WRB continuous insulation system.

 

Features and Benefits of the SMARTci 3 in 1 System:

The SMARTci 3 in 1 System offers several smart building features and benefits, including:

1. Thermal Efficiency

Reducing carbon footprints, increasing sustainability, and improving quality of life has become driving components within the commercial building industry. In addition, industry leaders have identified the importance of preserving natural resources for future generations. As a result, new standards and regulations have been implemented across the industry to move toward sustainability.

Green building energy codes, such as ASHRAE 90.1 (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), are a benchmark for new building development, new portions of buildings, and the addition of new systems within existing structures. SMARTci Systems help to meet and exceed several green building requirements, including ASHRAE 90.1, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification, and Living Building Challenge (LBC) by the International Living Future Institute (ILFI).

A common issue within a building envelope is thermal bridging. Thermal bridging occurs when energy travels through the connectivity of materials. For example, a path of most minor resistance forms when using materials with higher conductivity, such as metal, to connect cladding to structural framing. This path allows thermal energy to travel through the building envelope, creating a vulnerability for cold spots.

The GreenGirt CMH z-girt sub-framing component within the SMARTci 3 in 1 System creates a thermal break within the building envelope. As a result, SMARTci Systems provide thermal efficiency levels of 92%-98%. Unlike other continuous insulation systems, A2P accomplishes these high-performance levels by eliminating the use of through-wall fasteners, preventing thermal energy loss.

2. Healthy Building

The SMARTci 3 in 1 System prevents thermal bridging within the building envelope and possible moisture damage. Condensation can form at the point where hot and cold vapor meet, also known as the dew point. If this interaction occurs within the building envelope, there is potential for mold or mildew to develop. This development could harm the integrity of the structure, decrease the life-cycle of your building, send more building material to landfills over time, and potentially cause harm to occupants of the building.

Eliminating the potential for cold spots and condensation will extend the life of your building. Protect your building envelope from possible moisture damage with the SMARTci 3 in 1 System. The all-in-one complete WRB and CI system is the overall best practice solution for your next project.

3. Installation Efficiency

The SMARTci 3 in 1 System installation process is up to 4x faster than conventional insulation systems. In addition, components within the 3 in 1 CI system eliminate the need for sheathing and a separate WRB within the building envelope, allowing for time and cost savings. The dual-faced polyiso insulation panels combined with butt joint FRP splines, caulking, and tape, create a complete WRB within the CI system.

The profiled polyiso insulation panels are designed and engineered for thermal performance and ease of installation. The profiled insulation panels fit seamlessly within the GreenGirt z-girt sub-framing. All insulation panels are pre-cut at our factory before arriving at the job site, minimizing material waste. SMARTci Systems also weigh significantly less than other CI and conventional insulation systems, aiding in ease and safety of installation.

The GreenGirt CMH sub-framing (paired with polyiso insulation) provides a thermal break while offering a universal attachment surface to tie exterior building material to structural framing. In addition, GreenGirt includes a metal insert which creates a fastener retention system. This metal insert allows the CI system to offer a structurally sound surface for cladding or substrate attachment. The adaptability of GreenGirt to support any cladding type and attaches to any substrate material, including open or closed framing, makes the SMARTci 3 in 1 System the best practice continuous insulation solution.

4. Long-Term Savings

The SMARTci 3 in 1 System is a long-term investment that offers savings up-front and over time. Up-front savings include material and labor costs with an all-in-one WRB continuous insulation system. An additional WRB is unnecessary as the 3 in 1 System achieves a complete WRB within the CI system. In addition, decreasing building materials within the installation process has the potential to expedite your project timeline as well as reduce labor.

A thermally efficient building will also save occupants on long-term operating costs. If hot and cold energy pathways to escape through the building envelope are removed, less energy is lost.

5. Environmentally Tested and Proven

All SMARTci Systems were designed via finite element analysis (FEA), fully ASTM E331 tested, and NFPA 285 compliant. ASTM E331 is the standard test method for water penetration of exterior windows, skylights, doors, and curtain walls by uniform static air pressure differences. NFPA 285 is the National Fire Protection Association test used to determine the potential for flame spread within the exterior wall. All components and materials in the SMARTci Systems have been vigorously tested and proven in the field.

Not only do the system’s thermal efficiencies help meet and achieve green building guidelines and certifications, such as ASHRAE 90.1 and LEED certification, but all SMARTci Systems are LBC Red List Free and have earned Declare Label. The LBC Red List represents the “worst in class” materials, chemicals, and elements prevalent in the building material industry. Declare label discloses all materials, chemicals, and elements within a manufactured product.

Download the Environmentally Healthy Building Checklist now.

Find an A2P Representative in your area for more information about our SMARTci™ Systems and GreenGirt® sub-framing.

Stay tuned for the third installment of the SMARTci 3 in 1 series, including a comprehensive look at the tests and studies performed on the SMARTci 3 in 1 System.

 

© 2022 Advanced Architectural Products

Contact us today to learn more!
https://i0.wp.com/greengirt.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/madeinUSA565foot.png?fit=146%2C27&ssl=1
Subscribe

If you wish to receive our latest news, sign up for our mailing list!

Advanced Architectural Products Logo

Creating engineered best practice continuous insulation solutions, while leaving the world a better place than when we started.

Subscribe

If you wish to receive our latest news in your email box, just subscribe to our newsletter!


959 Industrial Drive, Allegan, MI 49010  |  (269) 355-1818

© Copyright 2024 Advanced Architectural Products. All Rights Reserved.

Patents Privacy Policy