exoGIRT
Fiberglass FRP Z-Girt
Thermally Isolated Rainscreen Sub-Framing System
exoGIRT is a thermally isolated pultruded fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) Z-girt manufactured in the USA for ventilated rainscreen façade systems and high-performance building envelopes. Designed to reduce thermal bridging in exterior wall assemblies, exoGIRT combines low thermal conductivity with high structural strength to support continuous insulation and a wide range of cladding materials including fiber cement, terracotta, and metal panels. Its corrosion resistance, dimensional stability, and lightweight fiberglass composition support long-term durability without the thermal penalties associated with traditional steel or aluminum Z-girts. Designed for installation efficiency, exoGIRT allows field cutting with standard tools while supporting precise alignment, panel fastening, and Passive House Certified wall assembly performance.
Why exoGIRT?
Enables compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 continuous insulation (CI) and thermal bridging energy code requirements
Works with standard insulation boards: no routing/proprietary insulation
Standard length of 128” is ideal for horizontal applications, reducing waste and installation time
Engineered for heavy cladding at full insulation depth
Passive House Certified Component
NFPA 285 Fire Test Assembly: Passed
Made in the USA; Build America Buy America (BABA) and The Buy American Act (BAA) compliant
Applications
exoGIRT fiberglass FRP Z-girts are used in ventilated rainscreen wall assemblies across steel stud, wood stud, and CMU construction. Designed to support continuous insulation and reduce thermal bridging, exoGIRT provides a stable thermally isolated sub-framing interface for fiber cement, terracotta, metal panel, and other exterior cladding systems. Compatible with common insulation thicknesses and framing layouts, exoGIRT accommodates vertical and horizontal configurations in both new construction and retrofit façade applications. Its lightweight pultruded fiberglass composition allows for field cutting with standard tools, eliminates pre-drilling, and improves installation efficiency on high-performance building envelope projects.
Thermal Efficiency
exoGIRT reduces thermal bridging at the sub-framing layer by replacing conventional metal Z-girts with a thermally isolated fiberglass FRP Z-girt profile. Unlike steel or aluminum Z-girts, which create a continuous conductive path through the insulation layer, exoGIRT minimizes heat transfer while maintaining structural performance for ventilated rainscreen façade systems. With a low thermal conductivity of 2.5 BTU·in/ft²·hr·°F (ASTM C518), exoGIRT improves effective R-value, supports continuous insulation performance, and contributes to energy-efficient, Passive House-oriented building envelope design.
Thermal & Structural Specifications
Thermal conductivity: 2.5 BTU·in/ft²·hr·°F (ASTM C518)
Flexural modulus: 7.5–7.8 Mpsi (ASTM D790)
Ultimate tensile strength: up to 180,000 psi (ASTM D638)
Shear strength: 21,100 psi (ASTM D732)
Fire rating: Class 1 (ASTM E84)
Fire propagation: NFPA 285 compliant
Technical Summary
exoGIRT is a thermally isolated fiberglass FRP Z-girt engineered to improve the thermal and structural performance of ventilated rainscreen façade assemblies by reducing thermal bridging at the sub-framing level. As a pultruded fiberglass Z-girt, exoGIRT minimizes conductive heat transfer while maintaining the structural capacity required to support a wide range of exterior cladding systems. Its non-metallic FRP composition, dimensional stability, and corrosion resistance support long-term durability, continuous insulation performance, Passive House-oriented wall design, and energy-efficient building envelope construction.
Key Performance Attributes
• Reduces thermal bridging at sub-framing
• No thermal break pads required
• FRP construction; non-metallic and corrosion resistant
• High strength-to-weight performance
• Lightweight; no pre-drilling required
• Field-cuttable with standard tools
• Depths from 1½" to 6"
• Supports continuous insulation
• Compatible with multiple cladding systems
• Works with steel stud, wood stud, and CMU
• Made in the USA
FAQ
Does exoGIRT require thermal isolation pads?
No. exoGIRT is manufactured from low-conductivity fiberglass FRP, allowing the system to provide thermally isolated sub-framing performance without separate thermal break pads.
Can exoGIRT be used in retrofit facade applications?
Yes. exoGIRT can be integrated into both new construction and retrofit rainscreen facade assemblies across steel stud, wood stud, and CMU wall types.
Why use fiberglass FRP Z-girts instead of metal Z-girts?
Unlike steel or aluminum Z-girts, fiberglass FRP Z-girts significantly reduce conductive heat transfer through the wall assembly while supporting continuous insulation and improved thermal performance.
Does exoGIRT require thermal isolation pads?
No. exoGIRT is manufactured from low-conductivity fiberglass FRP, allowing the system to provide thermally isolated sub-framing performance without separate thermal break pads.
What is a fiberglass FRP Z-girt?
A fiberglass FRP Z-girt is a thermally isolated sub-framing component used in ventilated rainscreen wall assemblies to support exterior cladding while reducing thermal bridging through continuous insulation.
How does exoGIRT reduce thermal bridging?
exoGIRT replaces conventional steel or aluminum Z-girts with a low-conductivity fiberglass FRP profile, reducing conductive heat transfer through the wall assembly.
Is exoGIRT compatible with continuous insulation?
Yes. exoGIRT is designed to support continuous insulation in high-performance wall assemblies while maintaining structural support for exterior cladding systems.
What cladding systems can be installed with exoGIRT?
exoGIRT can support a wide range of ventilated rainscreen cladding systems, including fiber cement, terracotta, metal panels, and other facade materials.