When selecting an underlayment, considerations should include not only durability, sustainability, and comfort underfoot but also any potential subfloor moisture issues. In this course, we review selection criteria for a project-specific underlayment and take a deeper look at subfloor moisture assessment, testing, and solutions.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

One of the more complicated issues today in building science is addressing moisture movement, since moisture can penetrate a building in several different ways and result in material degradation, mold, and air quality issues. By knowing and understanding the source of the water and its movement, effective solutions can be developed to eliminate or retard moisture movement. This course focuses on moisture movement below grade and the methods used to prevent and control the different types of moisture movement to provide complete below-slab protection. Industry codes and standards that must be met when specifying vapor retarders/barriers are also discussed.

This course provides a basic introduction to the International, Mid-Century Modern, and Ranch styles of architecture and design (and their offshoots) found in commercial and residential forms in the western United States. These styles helped shape the look of California, especially in Los Angeles and Palm Springs, from the 1920s through 1970s.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Rain has been cited as the most important thing to control in wall construction. Rainscreen systems have, for over five decades, proven to be highly effective in this regard. Following an analysis of moisture management issues and rainscreen systems, this course then identifies the unique attributes of wood-plastic composites (WPCs) for use in rainscreen applications. It concludes with a detailed description of how WPC cladding should be applied and fastened in rainscreen systems.

The construction industry utilizes green construction standards or rating systems to guide and quantify the benefits of sustainable design. This course introduces basic green construction concepts, two prominent green building rating systems, and building product transparency tools with special attention given to how tile and tile-setting products can contribute toward certification.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Lightweight, impact resistant, and easily molded, polycarbonate's durability and versatility allow it to turn innovative, imaginative architectural designs into a cost-effective reality. This course outlines polycarbonate's effectiveness in bringing natural light into enclosed spaces, its role in improving the mental well-being of building occupants, its advantages over other panel/sheet materials, and its aesthetic virtues.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Today’s consumers demand much of plumbing products, expecting them to be durable, environmentally friendly, safe, ADA compliant, and easy to install, clean, maintain, and use. This course reviews the options and features of an array of restroom plumbing products and drains, examining how they not only meet functional and performance requirements but also how they add style and character to a design.

Building systems can be enhanced by incorporating reflective insulation or radiant barriers into the building envelope. With effective insulation, heat transfer is reduced, resulting in less summer heat gain, and less winter heat loss. This course explains common and effective uses for reflective insulation and radiant barriers in a wide range of construction and building applications and demonstrates how these systems reduce energy usage, increase the lifespan of the mechanical equipment for heating and cooling, and reduce maintenance requirements and frequency of replacement.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Exterior wall systems are the dividing line between the exterior and the interior and must address several fundamental performance goals of the building envelope. This course reviews traditional rainscreen design and examines why, with its single-component construction, an insulated composite backup wall system is a vast improvement over traditional multicomponent building technology.

Rainscreens are a multi component system offering redundancy in resisting the weather, however, continuity of each component is critical. When an insulated metal panel (IMP) is used within the system it can function as a number of these components, simplifying installation and improving performance. This course looks at IMPs acting as barrier walls behind various rainscreen systems, with a discussion on the performance characteristics for air, water, vapor, and thermal management.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

It’s imperative to have a dependable, well-designed fire protection system that helps save lives and property. This course is designed to advance awareness and understanding about the wide range of components, functionality, and benefits of today’s most innovative standpipe fire systems and how to select the optimal system for your design based on building type, codes, and other requirements.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Around the globe, companies and manufacturers are embracing socially responsible design, construction, and the development of sustainable products. This course provides an overview of sustainable design and the creation of healthier environments in reference to architectural paints. Included are discussions regarding the components of paint, independent testing methods and standards, categories of LEED®, and specification of paint systems for today’s designer.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Daylighting is the controlled admission of natural light into a building. It takes into consideration both direct and diffuse sunlight, and reduces use of electric light, thereby decreasing energy costs. By controlling daylight, solar heat gain can be minimized, lowering the demand on HVAC systems. This course evaluates a variety of daylighting strategies for commercial applications and includes discussions about the relevance of daylight factor calculations and the impact fabric characteristics have on a shading solution.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by outdoor solar lighting specs and components, especially when every manufacturer presents its products differently. Lighting professionals can help clients put these manufacturers on an equal playing field. Providing an in-depth introduction into the technology and benefits of off-grid solar lighting, the course explores why clients choose commercial solar lighting, what components make up a solar lighting system, and the three steps lighting professionals can take to ensure their clients choose a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution that meets their unique expectations.

Commercial fenestration products including sectional doors, rolling sheet doors, and rolling steel doors can improve building performance and provide essential building/opening protection. This course discusses common door features, hardware, insulation, installation, and optional types of electric operators, and evaluates the performance criteria required for a specific dock or drive through opening.

Falls are responsible for more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause of injury. Photoluminescent (PL) exit path markers have proven to provide safe and quick egress in all light conditions for occupants and fail-safe guidance to first responders entering unfamiliar surroundings in the event of an emergency. This course discusses the benefits of PL safety products and the codes and testing standards related to PL way-finding systems.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Luxury does not necessarily equal excess and indulgence. In the kitchen and bath, luxury might simply be a fixture offering a higher perceived value and practicality. In this course, we define luxury further and look at luxury options in kitchen and bath fixtures and technology.

Ventilation grilles influence HVAC system performance but can pose aesthetic challenges for designers. Custom grilles made with modern fabrication techniques employ a variety of materials and finishes to create solutions that enhance and fully integrate with architectural interiors. This course discusses the basic mechanics of effective air distribution in buildings, performance characteristics of grilles, grille types, and custom design options.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Aluminum production has recently decreased its environmental footprint dramatically, and aluminum window extrusion technology has advanced considerably to make aluminum one of the most sustainable materials and aluminum windows top performers. This course covers the production enhancements and developments in the design of unique aluminum extrusions that, when combined with innovative thermal barrier materials, create window and door systems that save energy, increase healthy indoor air quality, and improve safety, sustainability, and aesthetics. The course concludes with a case study of a high-performance building using high-performance windows with custom extrusions.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Modern construction has come to understand that a façade, as part of an overall building envelope, is not only a visual statement, but also an important influencer in the protection of a wall’s structural components, the energy efficiency of the building, and the health of its occupants. This course explores a unique surfacing material known as ultracompact surfacing (UCS) and evaluates its mechanical properties, technical characteristics, and aesthetics to illustrate its endless design potential in exterior cladding, façade, and rainscreen applications.

This course focuses on the changing energy codes and how they affect commercial wall assemblies. The new concept of continuous insulation (ci)—and how it is used throughout the codes—is discussed. The NFPA 285 fire test and its role in code-compliant wall assemblies is also discussed for commercial building types I–IV. The thermal performance, physical properties, and compliance attributes of polyisocyanurate insulation are explained, as well as how it compares with some of the other insulation options available.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

Through sustainable management, the forests of New England have had a remarkable comeback since the 1830s, with eastern white pine being the most represented softwood in these forests. This light yet strong wood species has been used for generations and meets today's requirements for a renewable and sustainable building material. This course reviews eastern white pine’s contribution to sustainability, its grading rules, wood products, and many applications.

This course is Part 1 of two courses aimed at helping contractors get organized, be proactive, and to work efficiently on LEED projects. Part 1 covers proposal preparation for LEED projects and general documentation principles, and also provides some recommendations and best practices for bidding and award during preconstruction.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...

 In order to download this course, a USD $29.00 fee must be paid.

Cultural dynamics have long influenced design trends. As people travel and experience this beautiful and diverse world we live in, culture is finding its way across the nations. Culture can refer to traditional things like language, music, food, and more recently, internet trends. This course examines how current dynamics, such as wanderlust, influence culture and impact design. As well, resulting color trends, including nuanced neutrals and blanched pastels, are identified and discussed.

Trash, recycling, and linen chutes must be designed, installed, and maintained to meet the 2019 NFPA 82 standard. This course addresses trash, recycling, and linen chutes and includes discussions on system components, accessory components, compactors and sorters, and meeting NFPA 82 requirements. The program also guides you through a typical installation of a chute system.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory