A girt is a structural component that provides lateral support to the walls of a building. Girts can be found in structures of all sizes and may be made from wood, steel, concrete, and other materials depending on the nature and specifications of the project. These structural braces are installed early in the framing process to take lateral loads and distribute them safely. As the building goes up, these and other supports brace the structure and provide a framework for cladding and other components.
Also known as a sheeting rail, the girt runs horizontally through the wall paneling. Girt size and shape can vary, and these structural members may need to be adjusted to accommodate doors and windows. Around openings in the building, care must be taken with structural supports to avoid the creation of a weak point that might make the building vulnerable to damage.
Construction crews attach girts to critical vertical structural supports, using appropriate hardware and bracing for the application. Building codes may specify the size of structural supports and the type of hardware to use on the basis of building size and purpose. An engineer or architect can have additional input into this part of the construction process, as can an experienced contractor familiar with the distribution of loads in finished structures.
Bolting the girts in place can stabilize a structure and allows for the next stages of construction, like putting in non-load bearing walls, installing plumbing, electric, and other systems, and cladding the building to protect it from the elements. A girt should not be visible in the finished design, although it can be located with the use of devices like stud finders, or by eyeballing structural walls and estimating approximate location on the basis of building conventions and the building's history.
Like other structural supports, a girt cannot be removed without potentially serious consequences. In the event structural members need to be replaced or moved because the walls in the building need to shift to accommodate a new use, a structural engineer needs to supervise the process. Workers typically start by installing redundant bracing to take over the load. Next, they open up the structural wall and carefully remove components, taking note of any unusual events in case they need to stop and reassess. Once finished, they can replace the damaged components or move the wall to a new location, as long as it has been approved by an architect.
By Mary McMahon
Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a All The Science researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.