Construction Specifications Canada
Construction Specifications Canada strives to educate, connect and lead the design and construction community to achieve excellence in project delivery.
There is an extremely wide array of coated or composite fabrics available on the market, each type formulated for specific uses and with different levels of performance and quality. To assist in the decision-making process, standards have been developed to show product performance, facilitate quality control, and assure designers that the product they are specifying is suitable for normal commercial use. This course briefly outlines the history, properties, and uses of coated fabrics, the intent and content of one coated fabric standard, and the testing protocols that support it.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s390008/www.aecdaily.com/course/917446
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
As the world increasingly pivots toward sustainable building practices, bamboo emerges as a leading contender among building materials, offering versatility, strength, and ecofriendliness. This course delves into bamboo’s history, properties, performance, and future in construction, uncovering its significant potential to shape a more sustainable and resilient built environment. The course also highlights the unique advantages and applications of bamboo-plastic composites designed to provide a strong, resilient material that results in less wastage than timber.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1106529/www.aecdaily.com/course/1116491
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Thermal modification is a tried and tested process for increasing the durability of wood while maintaining a warm aesthetic in building design. This course examines all aspects of this sustainable wood product and how it can be incorporated into a variety of projects.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s936437/www.aecdaily.com/course/948026
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
While natural stone veneer has a timeless popularity in commercial and residential applications, its cost, weight, and availability can make it prohibitive for some projects. Natural-looking manufactured stone veneer alleviates those concerns but still requires time and experience in mortared stone installation. This course explores these options and then introduces the latest manufactured stone product, a panelized, mortarless veneer that installs with the ease, speed, and all-weather flexibility of siding. Application examples and case studies present the many options that offer a real stone aesthetic without the time, skill, and constraints required for mortared applications.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12394/www.aecdaily.com/course/1070789
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Color is often used functionally across many design elements; this can also be done with concrete by simply dosing standard concrete mix designs with pigment. Using pigment, concrete can be transformed from a plain, common material into a beautiful, sustainable, and enduring building element. Adding pigments to concrete elevates a project's quality and impact. This course presents basic knowledge of how concrete pigments are manufactured and how they are measured and dispensed to produce the desired color hue and intensity capable of elevating a project to the next level.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s13218/www.aecdaily.com/course/938725
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Sublimation transfer printing is an innovative technology used to transfer designs, effects, and finishes onto both metallic and nonmetallic surfaces. In this course, we explore the science behind sublimation printing and identify the benefits of the sublimation process on aluminum profiles, including advantages to sustainability. Applicable tests, performance criteria, and case studies are also shown.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1081652/www.aecdaily.com/course/1108672
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of performance, durability, risk, cost, and construction timeline.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s473431/www.aecdaily.com/course/873972
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
A large portion of new commercial and residential buildings built today are equipped with clear, floor-to-ceiling glass. Does this new expansive area of glass lead to daylight optimization? This course explains the impacts of daylighting on human health and building occupant comfort. Proactive and reactive automated shading systems are discussed, and the course explains how a properly designed shading system can reduce whole-building energy consumption. Automated shading systems in projects of various scopes and scales are also discussed.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s801701/www.aecdaily.com/course/859212
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The increase in building energy efficiency requirements has led to the use of exterior continuous insulation (CI) to improve the performance of the building envelope. This presentation reviews the benefits of polyiso continuous insulation and then examines in detail the NFPA 285 test standard and fire safety requirements of the 2021 International Building Code for the use of polyisocyanurate insulation in exterior walls of commercial buildings (Construction Types I–IV).
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s20151/www.aecdaily.com/course/926641
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
There are a multitude of building envelope products used and a variety of methods taken for achieving energy and building code requirements. Understanding the different roles a product plays in the envelope simplifies its design. In this course, we take a look at the code requirements for buildings classified as IBC Types I–IV, paths to achieving compliance, and the number of roles polyisocyanurate insulation plays in meeting these requirements.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s20151/www.aecdaily.com/course/961147
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Roof glazing products can positively affect building occupants by illuminating the interior of a space, providing views to the outside, and allowing for natural ventilation. There are many factors to be considered during the product selection process to ensure performance goals are realized. Presented in this course are roof window and skylight design and performance criteria, relevant building codes and standards, and types of roof windows and skylights and their features.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s776501/www.aecdaily.com/course/932574
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Commercial aluminum wall, window, and roof systems have undergone improvements in recent decades, making them technologically sufficient to meet contemporary standards of durability. In addition to being familiar with the systems’ thermal and other ecological benefits, specifiers need to understand paint chemistry and the difference between powder and liquid coating application methods. It is also important to understand third-party specifications published by AAMA, which cover architectural coatings.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s574575/www.aecdaily.com/course/906098
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Protected membrane roof (PMR) assemblies have been widely adopted in low-slope commercial buildings since the late 1960s. Also known as inverted or upside-down roofs, PMR assemblies move the waterproofing membrane from the top of the roof assembly to the surface of the structural deck. This course explores how PMR assemblies provide several advantages over conventional roof assemblies, offering superior protection against water penetration and enhanced energy efficiency. The course also shows how PMR assemblies allow for the creation of green roofs or blue roof systems. With a proven record of reliability, PMR assemblies present a compelling solution for architects seeking innovative, sustainable, and efficient roofing options.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s904648/www.aecdaily.com/course/1091539
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Cooktops are manufactured and classified by construction type and method of heat energy transfer. This course reviews the operation, control, performance, and efficiency of induction cooktops in comparison to their gas and electric counterparts, and shows how induction cooktops can be incorporated into any kitchen design in residential and specialty-commercial applications such as marine, mobile, military, academic, institutional, and hospitality.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s655668/www.aecdaily.com/course/1036959
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Attic ventilation is an important component in proper structural design. By encouraging airflow, attic ventilation plays a key role in maintaining structural integrity, ensuring roof component durability, providing a healthy indoor environment, and minimizing energy consumption. Additionally, proper attic ventilation hinders or prevents mold growth, reduces interior pollutants, and acts as a pivotal fire prevention tool. This course looks at how attic ventilation systems work, the benefits they provide, and the associated building codes and regulations.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s20358/www.aecdaily.com/course/1113695
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long lasting and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC rebutted and rejointed (R&R) prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s792355/www.aecdaily.com/course/803054
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Retaining walls resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials, and their long-term performance is dependent on proper design and construction. This course focuses on the segmental retaining wall (SRW), a type of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. Presented here are SRW types and components, advantages over other retaining wall systems, design considerations, and construction tolerances, as well as reasons that SRWs fail.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s149579/www.aecdaily.com/course/982567
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
There are many kinds of resin-based coatings for metal. The type of resin used plays an important role in determining a coating's durability and physical properties. This course discusses these coatings and their application techniques. It also discusses why the coatings may deteriorate and how to measure the performance of the coatings. The role that resin-based coatings perform in cool roofs is explored along with the standards that measure the sustainability of cool roofs. This course provides the information one needs to ensure that the coated product will perform as expected and provide a durable, long-lasting finish.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s616041/www.aecdaily.com/course/945451
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Incorporating bulletproof glass into any facility is a sizable investment; however, it is a small price to pay for the protection of human lives. This course illustrates how to maximize that investment by selecting and installing the appropriate system for the threat level and the functional needs of the client. Discussed are UL protection level ratings; types of bullet-resistant barrier systems and their components; planning, production, and installation of systems; security window film vs. bullet-resistant glass; and project security checklists.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s455170/www.aecdaily.com/course/847332
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of designing with cellular PVC trim, including a discussion on the installation guidelines and manufacturing processes.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s443055/www.aecdaily.com/course/570420
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
The United Nations has set 2030 as the deadline for member nations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The construction industry has set complementary goals, including the AIA 2030 Commitment to reach net zero emissions in the built environment by 2030. This course discusses how circular economy building products are necessary to achieve sustainable design goals and presents the case study of Kohler WasteLAB, a small manufacturing business within Kohler Company that creates beautiful products for the home from waste.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s8547/www.aecdaily.com/course/1109758
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Standing seam metal roofing has been used successfully in the United States for centuries, and proper specification is key to realizing its intended performance. Examined here are: the factors driving the demand for standing seam metal roof and wall systems; standing seam panel basics; gauge and grade; oil canning; specification considerations; testing standards; and forming, delivery, storage, handling and warranty.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5147/www.aecdaily.com/course/856363
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Designing a structure that is resilient requires a strong understanding of material and building science. This course discusses the composition, performance, and application of engineered polymer siding and trim and capped polymer cladding to illustrate the benefits to home and building owners when construction materials are selected with resilience and sustainability in mind.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s18901/www.aecdaily.com/course/959803
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Some building parts may see minimal human contact or weathering. Doors and entryways, however, need to be able to stand up to heavy use, frequent direct contact from building occupants, and environmental impacts. In this regard, FRP doors and frames offer robust strength, reliability, and durability. They provide project versatility and customization in colors and textures, are excellent thermal insulators, and allow for easier installation and lower costs in construction projects. This course outlines the FRP door and frame components, manufacturing methods, and types and discusses the benefits of FRP products.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1034450/www.aecdaily.com/course/1060033
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. Choosing the right insulation and putting it in the right location is becoming one of the most important decisions in design, construction, and retrofit. Reviewed in this course are the features, benefits, and design and installation considerations related to mineral wool continuous insulation.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5023/www.aecdaily.com/course/899778
This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.
This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.
