The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is not just an idea about how to “grade the greenness” of products; it is a well-developed, globally recognized way, to make responsible comparisons and decisions regarding sustainable material design. This course discusses the concept of the EPD as applied to building materials and how to integrate EPDs into design and product selection decisions. Detailed information from different thermal insulation EPDs is used demonstrate how thermal insulation provides a unique and significant “pay-back” in terms of energy and environmental impacts.

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

Roofing is one of the most common renovation projects. Retrofit construction provides vast opportunities in terms of improving the energy efficiency of the built environment. This course reviews the code requirements pertaining to commercial reroofing, including a discussion of the impacts of retrofit construction on energy efficiency.

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

The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the behavior of EV drivers are increasing the demand for electric vehicle charging stations. This education course explains the different types of charging available and their suitable applications, and discusses the planning and installation considerations for electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).

Provides an overview of the components, the energy efficient features, and specification considerations of metal roofing assemblies, as well as discussions on design considerations and architectural details that impact project requirements.

Currently, buildings are the single biggest contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for roughly half of all energy consumption in the US and globally. It is crucial to reduce this level of consumption by including high performance envelope strategies like shading systems, in all new building designs. In this course, we will look at shading systems, examine shading and design strategies, and learn tips for successful selection and design.

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

Wood is a versatile building material that must be protected from exposure to moisture, pests, fungi, and molds. Tropical hardwoods are naturally durable, but unsustainable logging practices threaten their availability and the health of old growth forests. This course discusses Furfurylated Wood Modification, one method of changing the physical characteristics of fast growing wood to resemble tropical hardwood.

Understanding a product’s life cycle impact is central to the selection of materials for any green building. High pressure decorative laminate (HPDL) manufacturers have initiatives in place to reduce waste, energy and virgin materials in its production. This course introduces HPDL, its performance characteristics, fabrication techniques, and manufacturing processes and the processes and ingredients that make it a sustainable decorative surfacing solution for commercial and residential applications.

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

Sustainable building design (SD) using the integrated design process (IDP) and building information modelling (BIM) is now a well-established practice, but until recently, green product selection was a parallel process. This course demonstrates how advanced software now seamlessly integrates the gathering, documentation, and sharing of accurate SD product information where it can be the most effective: at the early stages of a BIM/IDP process.

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

Paints provide a decorative and protective barrier on the surfaces and substrates they are applied to. Paint performance is influenced by the quality of the ingredients, and by specifying the correct product and finish for the application. This program discusses types of paint, paint finishes, surface preparation, and primers.

Proper building envelope design, component detailing, and wall system performance are critical in a durable, energy efficient building. One of the key aspects of achieving a highly efficient and durable building is the ability to protect the building from unwanted air and water infiltration. This course reviews the necessity and benefits of air, vapor, and moisture barriers, how moisture makes its way into the building envelope, the negative impact it can have on the structure, and different design options to control air leakage and moisture movement to ensure a high performance building.

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

The recent shift towards protecting the environment has also brought about a better understanding of our innate need to reconnect with our natural surroundings. This is known as biophilia. In this course, we will examine the elements of biophilic design and how to implement biophilic design strategies, known to improve physical and mental well-being of occupants. The use of resilient flooring in commercial applications offers an opportunity to implement biophilic design.

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

One of the more complicated issues today in building science is addressing moisture movement, since moisture can penetrate a building in a number of different ways. 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 which must be met when specifying vapor retarders/barriers are also discussed.

Cleaning is one of the higher continuous operational expenses faced by commercial building owners. Incorporating an entrance flooring system will reduce cleaning costs, improve safety and provide an environmental benefit to the building users. This course reviews entrance flooring system design considerations including code, environmental, safety and aesthetic considerations for high-traffic entrances.

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

Ensuring a building’s roof is waterproof, on top of being structurally sound, is critical to the success of any building project. This course examines rapid curing, polymeric liquid applied waterproofing membranes for roofing and other demanding applications. Discussions include the history of PMMA, PMMA system components and characteristics, the installation process, and the versatility of PMMA products.

Critical to concrete waterproofing are the products used in combination to create a system that ensures complete control of moisture migration. Presented here are effective concrete waterproofing technologies and how they improve the durability and lifespan of structures. Discussions include water penetration, system selection, membrane protection, and cementitious waterproofing.

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 today, meets the requirements of a renewable and sustainable building material. This course reviews eastern white pine’s contribution to sustainability, its grading rules, wood products, and many applications.

Architects and designers have many options for specifying site furniture products for their projects, and selecting materials and finishes is an integral part of this process; yet, making material selections has become more and more complex. The course examines conditions and constraints of outdoor environments; evaluates materials commonly used in outdoor applications; discusses using green building standards and rating systems, and the role of suppliers as resources for material selection; and provides examples of products that adhere to a higher environmental standard.

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

Indoor air quality can dramatically influence the health and comfort of building occupants. It is critical to understand and control common pollutants in order to reduce the risk of health concerns related to indoor environments. This course examines the pollutants common to building interiors and their potential to cause adverse health effects. Discussions include VOC content and emissions, the value of an IAQ management plan, and the importance of specifying low-emitting materials.

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

An air curtain, also known as an air door, employs a controlled stream of air aimed across an opening to create an air seal. This seal separates different environments while allowing a smooth, unhindered flow of traffic and unobstructed vision through the opening. This course discusses how air curtains work and why they can contribute to occupant comfort, energy efficiency, and indoor air quality when the door is open. It also reviews how air curtains improve whole building energy efficiency versus conventional methods.

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

(Canadian Version) 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.

Can commercial overhead doors contribute to the sustainability goals of buildings requiring garage, drive-through, fire, dock, and service products? To meet these goals commercial sectional and rolling doors should be engineered to provide energy efficiency, personnel protection, and to mitigate fire and wind damage. This course examines the sustainable attributes of commercial overhead doors and explores their design potential in LEED® compliant projects.

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

Since ancient times, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with the efficiency in application that is expected in today’s world of design. This course covers the evolution of GFRC, its applications and how it is custom created, its advantages, and how GFRC compares to other types of architectural concrete

With the relatively recent development of new products and procedures for polishing concrete, concrete floors have added aesthetic appeal to their list of impressive performance characteristics. This course will discuss improving and prolonging the performance of finished concrete floors by exploring the many benefits of concrete flooring, summarizing the procedure for creating concrete floors, explaining maintenance methods and spill removal, and explaining how a floor protection plan will aid in the prolonged service life of the floor.

In today’s high performance building market, specifying materials that work together as a complete wall system is more critical than ever. Systems can help designers meet new energy codes, reduce costs and improve building function and sustainability while making the design process faster and simpler. Focusing on the most common exterior wall system, steel stud with masonry veneer, this course will detail key system components, recent advances in building analysis, code requirements and a comprehensive systems approach.

Over the past few decades, exterior building spaces and roofs have significantly transformed from utilitarian ballasted roof systems to roof systems with highly programmed, environmentally conscious, people-friendly amenities that promote healthier lifestyles. A variety of products and materials can be utilized in the design and construction of roof gardens and decks. This course will review the construction of basic types of roof systems, as well as the range of hardscaping products that are available to designers.

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