What is Girt?

A girt is a horizontal structural member fixed between columns to support wall cladding, strengthen walls, and improve building stability.

Definition

A girt is a horizontal structural framing member used to tie together successive vertical columns or posts in a building's wall framework. The girts are used to carry the outer wall sheeting or cladding between the column lines and are an efficient means of transmitting lateral loads, such as wind loads, into the principal building frame.

They are standard components in the construction of pre-engineered metal buildings, warehouses, farm structures, and commercial buildings. These girders are usually steel, although wood and engineered wood products can be used depending on the building's structural requirements and the type of cladding.

Purpose

The most important role of the girt is to act as an anchoring system for the external cladding (walls and lining).
These structural components serve as bracing to strengthen a building's external walls.
They help stabilize external walls and transfer lateral wind loads to the rest of the building’s frame structure, enabling the envelope to be as wind-tight as required by external environmental forces.
The dimensions and spacing of the girt depend on the type of cladding used for the external walls and on structural demands.

Examples of Use

A warehouse uses steel girts to support metal wall cladding between structural columns.
A contractor installs Z-shaped girts before attaching the external cladding of a building.
An industrial facility uses girts to improve wall stability and resist wind loads.
An estimator measures girts, spacing, and connection details during a structural steel takeoff.

Related Terms

Top Plate

The top plate is the horizontal framing member fixed atop wall studs, supporting roof rafters or floor framing while tying walls together.

Riser

A riser is a vertical pipe, duct, conduit, or shaft that carries plumbing, electrical, or HVAC services between floors in a building efficiently.

A wye is a pipe fitting that joins three pipes at a 45° angle, ensuring smooth flow in plumbing and drainage systems while reducing turbulence.

Notes

Girts are horizontal members that span between columns or posts.
They provide support for wall cladding and strengthen the external cladding of a building.
Steel Z-girts and C-girts are the most common profiles in metal building construction.
Girt spacing and size vary based on cladding materials, wind loads, and structural requirements.
Girts are the wall equivalent of purlins, which support roof systems.

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