Afin d'évaluer pleinement l’influence de la mousse de polyuréthane giclée et de son importance dans l'industrie de la construction d'aujourd'hui, il est nécessaire que l'on considère de plus près l'un des principaux objectifs des architectes et des ingénieurs du domaine du bâtiment; celui de créer des structures durables qui permettent une créativité maximale du design. Avec sa capacité à épouser n'importe quel profil et à adhérer à n'importe quel type de surface, la mousse de polyuréthane giclée offre une telle créativité. Ce cours examine les propriétés de performance des produits de mousse giclée et traite des concepts de conception avancés exploitant celle-ci.

Given the number of low-slope commercial roofs found in today’s metropolitan cities, it’s key that architects/designers have an understanding of the forces that affect the durability of a roof assembly and the high performance options that are available in order to choose the best solution for each project. This course provides a review of the types and performance characteristics of cover board materials used in commercial roofing assemblies, along with a discussion of the forces that threaten roof-system durability.

In multi-story, multi-family housing it is the area separation wall (firewall) which prevents fires from spreading to adjacent units. This course examines the advantages of using glass mat shaftliner panels for firewall assemblies in multi-story, multi-family housing, and covers the installation procedures and special conditions.

Accommodating an aging population in multi-storey homes means finding ways to simplify access to all levels. As home elevators continue to decrease in cost, they are being considered as the most effective solution. This course reviews all considerations needed for the installation of a home elevator including locating, power and structural requirements, and code considerations.

Provides an overview of the history of solid surface as a decorative material with a discussion on product characteristics and attributes, and a comparison of sustainability factors of three hard surface materials and their environmental impact.

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

Quartz surfacing is a man-made material, consisting of over 90% natural quartz crystal. In this course you will discover the other components behind the beauty, durability and flexibility of this surfacing material. You will see the composition, production and quality assurance processes that go into making the material and the resultant attributes, capabilities, and the installation basics of quartz surfacing materials.

Although known for being a strong and versatile building material, there are a number of factors that affect the sustainability of concrete, and a variety of measures that can be taken to increase its durability and extend its service life. This course discusses the environmental impact of concrete and some of the main causes of concrete deterioration, and examines how crystalline waterproofing technology can be employed to increase the durability and sustainability of concrete.

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

Synthetic roofing materials have been available in the market for more than a decade, providing a cost-effective, viable alternative to traditional slate and shake roofing systems. This course provides an overview of the features and benefits of slate and shake synthetic roofing products, including a discussion on the testing methods used to rate specific performance characteristics.

Critical to the longevity of any tile installation is the use of the appropriate membrane. This course delves into the types of membranes used to waterproof ceramic and stone tile installations and compares them in terms of performance and durability, ease of installation, control of variables, and function.

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

Choosing the right insulation is becoming one of the most important decisions in design, construction and retrofit, as insulation has a dramatic impact on the energy efficiency of a building. The use of continuous insulation (ci) construction systems on the exterior of the building is critical in order to design energy efficient buildings. This course reviews the manufacture and use of mineral wool, and its contribution to sustainable buildings as a continuous insulation.

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

Redwood—one of nature’s longest-lasting, strongest, most beautiful and environmentally-friendly building materials—is commonly used for decking, siding, and timbers because of its natural beauty and resistance to decay. This course covers the sustainable attributes of redwood building products, including a discussion of redwood lumber grades, characteristics, and applications. Also presented are the results of a recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing redwood and plastic-composite decking options and information about redwood’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).

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

The savings that water conservation measures can provide are real and practical, and offer enormous untapped potential. One of the best ways to boost conservation really hasn’t been thoroughly utilized, yet it’s right here at our fingertips: faucets. This course provides an overview of commercial faucets, including the evolution of the modern faucet, design and installation considerations, and the faucet’s impact on water conservation and green building programs.

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

Thermally fused laminate (TFL), formerly known as thermally fused melamine (TFM) or low-pressure laminate (LPL), is a decorative surfacing material used in cabinetry, countertops, shelving, store fixtures, moldings, and furniture in commercial and residential applications. This course explores the history of the surface treatment, its manufacture and sustainability, end-use considerations, compatibility with other decorative surfaces, and innovative design options.

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

Many designers tend to prefer and select materials which are “natural” or authentic over those which are synthetic, artificial, unnatural or man-made. This course takes a look at authenticity of materials, our perceptions of real and fake, how this has affected our ability to consciously identify the most environmentally beneficial materials and the possible advantages artificial materials might have in addressing global environmental issues.

According to building professionals, the solution to achieving an energy efficient building envelope is to focus more on the roof. Protected membrane roof (PMR) assemblies deliver thermal efficiency and can play a valuable role in a sustainable design strategy. Presented in this course is a review of the components, advantages, ballast options, and design and installation considerations of PMR assemblies.

An expansion joint is a structural gap designed to accommodate the movement of a building in a controlled manner, preventing damage to the internal and external finishes of a building. Expansion joints run throughout a building, in walls, ceilings, and floors. Expansion joint covers provide a covered transition across an expansion opening and remain unaffected by the relative movement of the two surfaces either side of the joint. This course explains how to determine joint movement requirements and how to size a joint. It also discusses the performance of different expansion joint cover systems and the applicable fire protection and building codes.

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).

High performance buildings require envelopes with thermal, air and vapor layers that are typically installed individually and by separate contractors, adding to the complexity of their construction. Integrally insulated concrete tilt-up panels provide multiple building envelope layers in one element. In this course we’ll look at these insulated concrete walls, the types, their components, their thermal and moisture resistant properties and where they are used.

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

An improperly ventilated house is susceptible to a range of problems, from mold growth and structural damage to increased energy costs. Achieving proper ventilation means understanding the flow of air into and out of the building envelope. This course discusses principles of proper ventilation in houses with steep-slope roofing—from the science behind moisture and airflow to the products used to assist ventilation through a structure.

Townhomes, two-storey residences which share one or more walls with its neighbors, are required to utilize area separation walls between units. A key design criterion of any firewall, besides its fire rating, is that it be structurally independent in a fire. This course evaluates two-hour fire-resistance-rated walls used in townhome construction, the options available in today's marketplace, firewall installation requirements, and fire resistance testing.

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

(Canadian Version) Without light, an object or a viewer, we do not have colour. In fact, the way we perceive and view colour is impacted by light, both natural and artificial. This course delves into the properties of colour and light. The program includes discussions on types of lighting, metamerism, colour rendering index (CRI), and light reflectance value (LRV) and how they affect design choices.

This course examines the required considerations for successful green facade installations and projects and includes discussions on system selection, design, plant selection, maintenance, and client/owner education.

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

Modern cellulose insulation has expanded into a wide range of innovative applications in the building industry. Cellulose insulation products contribute to improved building durability and can help meet or exceed global green building program targets. This course discusses cellulose insulation, a sustainable material creating solutions for sound control, fire resistance, and thermal architectural challenges.

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

“Sustainable” design isn’t just “environmental.” It’s design that works for and contributes to the health and welfare of all individuals as well as the planet, now and in the future. This course looks at hand dryers as part of sustainably designed restrooms, and discusses how air knife hand dryers benefit the environment through energy-efficiency, resource conservation, and waste reduction, and benefit all members of society by meeting ADA requirements and Universal Design principles.

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

Assesses the urban environmental issues of stormwater runoff and heat islands and describes how their damaging impacts can be mitigated by blue, white, and green roofs. The considerations and additional benefits of each roof type are also discussed.

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