1.0 hour

For centuries retaining walls have been built using the same methodology, a stacked block wall placed to hold back a load of earth. Technologies such as anchors and soil-stabilizers, allowed for higher and stronger walls. But difficult site conditions made the use of these methods problematic or impossible. The latest innovations in retaining wall construction offer solutions to these challenging site conditions. In this course , we will be discussing new solutions for using Segmental Retaining Walls (SRWs) and Mass Segmental Retaining Walls (MSRWs).

 1 hour

Since North America’s post-war building boom, the unique characteristics of gypsum board have served the needs of builders well. Now, with environmental concerns directing many design decisions, how does gypsum board respond? This course looks at how gypsum board contributes to sustainably designed buildings, ensuring healthy indoor air and low waste.

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

 1.0 hour

Designing for fire safety is an important element in the construction of the built environment. Selecting the right automatic sprinkler system can ensure that your building is code compliant and well protected. This course provides an overview of automatic sprinkler systems including the types, styles, orientations, components, and finishes that are available. Also discussed are the factors that require consideration when specifying a sprinkler system.

 1.0 hour

Problems associated with moisture in construction are common and wide-ranging—from mold and rot, to corrosion and degradation, to leakage and staining—and affect not just the durability, appearance, and functioning of the building, but the health of the building’s occupants. This course addresses the materials and techniques that help to manage moisture in exterior walls and includes examples of common mistakes that lead to failures.

 1.0 hour

In order to address tile installation difficulties effectively and avoid failures, designers and specifiers must maintain full awareness of current knowledge, practices, and products. This course reviews potentially problematic contemporary tile installation issues along with the industry guidance, methodologies, and products available to address them.

 1 hour

Machine room-less elevators have proven to be a smart choice for low- to mid-rise commercial and residential buildings, with operating mechanisms that enhance the rider’s experience, improve safety, and minimize downtime, and a gearless function that saves energy. This course examines machine room-less (MRL) elevators and includes discussions on the history of elevators, low-rise and mid-rise applications, industry standard configurations, and the green benefits achieved using machine room-less elevators.

 1 hour

Rubber roofing is roofing material which contains natural rubber, often recycled tire-derived rubber, as its key or major ingredient. It often contains other ingredients such as compatibilizers, stabilizers, UV (ultraviolet light) inhibitors, and color which make it suitable for sloped roof applications. Recycled rubber roofing has a significant ecological impact today, as well as in the future when it can be recycled again and made into new roofing material. This course illustrates the environmental and performance benefits of rubber roofing and discussed why it facilitates fast and easy installation.

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

 1.0 hour

Flooring installations are only going to perform as well as the quality of surface preparation that they received. Strength/structural soundness, flatness, texture, and moisture are evaluated are addressed at this stage. This course explores surface preparation, including meeting industry standards, and outlines numerous moisture and flatness issues and remediation techniques to ensure a durable, long-life flooring installation for a variety of flooring materials.

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

 1.0 hour

Kitchens have evolved, and so has the role of refrigeration in the home, and there are a variety of factors that are contributing to this change. This course examines the social, economic, and demographic trends that are stimulating the reimagining of the kitchen space. The latest trends in kitchen design are discussed, as is the role of modular refrigeration—a key design element in the creation of functional spaces that reflect the changing domestic landscape.

 1 hour

Au fil de l’histoire, le désir des gens de communiquer, de raconter des histoires et d’exprimer leur identité culturelle nous donne la clé du besoin que ces gens ont eu, très tôt, d’utiliser et donc de fabriquer des pigments. La création de la couleur était alors un art, et elle l’est demeurée. L’histoire de la couleur est constellée de découvertes, de richesse, de pouvoir, de religion, de commerce et de science. Offre une vue d’ensemble de l’origine et de l’évolution des pigments de couleur par un regard sur des civilisations et des époques du passé.

 1 hour

(Canadian Version) Throughout history, our human desire to communicate, tell stories, and to express cultural identity, gives us a glimpse at the need for early use and creation of pigments. Creating colour was, and still is, an art. Its history is one of discovery, wealth, power, religion, trade, and science. This course discusses the origins and evolution of colour pigments by looking at historical civilizations and time periods.

 1 hour

Throughout history, human desire to communicate, tell stories, and to express cultural identity, gives us a glimpse at the need for early use and creation of pigments. Creating color was, and still is, an art. Its history is one of discovery, wealth, power, religion, trade, and science. This course discusses the origins and evolution of color pigments by looking at historical civilizations and time periods.

 1.0 hour

The construction of buildings that use less energy to operate and are long lived is a key part of sustainable design. Insulated concrete forms are one solution that provide the necessary U values, air tightness and durability. In this course, we will delve into the ICF wall, types and components and look at design considerations and construction.

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

 1.0 hour

Choosing the correct roofing materials is a critical first step for builders, architects, and designers as they construct a new building, and for facility managers who work with these professionals to remodel existing buildings. This program examines SBS modified asphalt roofing and underlayment systems and includes discussions on the properties of SBS modified asphalt membrane, applications, testing, codes, and underlayments, and provides a comparison with other commercial roofing materials.

 1 hour

Historically, traditional waterproofing methods involve the placement of a barrier or membrane between the concrete and water. Unlike membranes and other surface systems, crystalline waterproofing is designed to make the concrete itself waterproof. This course discusses how crystalline waterproofing technology provides a high level of performance to concrete structures and what design professionals need to know in order to specify and understand how this chemical technology can improve building projects, cut costs, and help earn LEED® credits.

 1 hour

Good lighting design contributes to a home’s comfort and functionality. Lighting can be used to evoke moods, illuminate tasks, or provide security. This course examines the processes used in residential lighting design and includes discussions on types of lamps; types of lighting fixtures, including recessed lighting; the layered lighting system; and, room lighting techniques.

 1 hour

Recycled rubber flooring is an environmentally responsible material that outlasts many types of traditional commercial flooring products when exposed to normal foot traffic stress. Interior and exterior recycled rubber surfacing products are explored in terms of their sustainable design benefits and applications. The program includes discussions on rubber manufacturing, post-consumer tires, and green building certification programs.

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

 1.0 hour

There is a growing demand for affordable, sustainable, low-maintenance alternatives to wood trim and exterior products. Cellular PVC products offer an array of options and profiles, and deliver the benefits of wood but with a longer life and lower maintenance requirements. This course presents the applications, manufacturing, proper installation, painting, and advantages of cellular PVC trim products.

 1.5 hour

The popularity of bamboo products has soared due to their desirable aesthetic and unique, eco-friendly attributes. This course covers an overview of the history, uses, characteristics, and specification considerations of bamboo, including a discussion of the health advantages and green benefits of designing with bamboo products.

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

 1.0 hour

The issue of safety is a prevalent theme in today’s society, and protecting the built environment has become a priority. This course examines the material specifications, industry standards, hardware options, installations, and application considerations necessary to design and specify exterior pedestrian steel gates.

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

 1 hour

Commercial applications of specialty door hardware encompass traditional building, as well as unusual architectural elements. Unique applications and “industrial strength” are what distinguish specialty door hardware from standard door hardware. This course provides a review of specialty door hardware with a focus on the specific components that make up this category, including a discussion on applying specialty door hardware to specific projects.

 1.0 hour

Insulated vinyl siding, known as insulated siding, is an exterior cladding that combines the protection and low maintenance of traditional vinyl siding with the energy efficiency of EPS foam. The composite results in an improvement in performance and aesthetics. This course discusses the benefits associated with installing insulated siding on new and renovation residential construction projects, and the range of architectural styles that can be achieved with the breadth of design and color options available.

 1 hour

Adhesion and long-term integrity of a high-performance floor system can be undermined by any number of factors. Although surface preparation is one of the most critical aspects of floor coating, there are a number of other steps that must be included. In this course we will review the necessary steps for a successful high performance floor coating application including preliminary inspection and surface preparation, selection of appropriate products and proper coating application tips.

 1.0 hour

Excessive sound can negatively impact the health and well-being of occupants. This has resulted in a growing trend to improve the acoustical performance of building assemblies. Due to this, there have been significant changes in the 2015 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) moving from sound transmission class (STC) to apparent sound transmission class (ASTC) ratings that reflect assemblies that provide increased levels of acoustical performance. The course will explore how laboratory acoustical testing is performed, the principles of sound control, the different methods of sound transmission within buildings (airborne, impact, and flanking), and how to meet the 2015 NBC requirements for ASTC ratings.

 1 hour

(Canadian Version) It is well known that colour in the built environment has an impact on the perception of space and our behavior in a space. Designers must understand colour to create an ambiance or style and to influence spatial use and perception. In this course we will look at how colour is perceived and processed, its emotional impact, how it interacts with light and finally, provide tips for implementing colour in the built environment.