The course is designed to teach attendees the differences between the insulation used in insulated vinyl siding. Comprehend the features and benefits of using insulated vinyl siding. Identify performance features when comparing the two types of insulated vinyl siding. Understand what type of material is used to manufacture insulated vinyl siding. Recognize the two most common types of insulation used during the insulated vinyl siding manufacturing process.

Laminated glass is a favored material for indoor and outdoor projects. Increasingly, photography and other digital images are popular choices for incorporating design elements into the glass. While it can be difficult for designers to source appropriate imagery, new online design tools that use vector graphics solve this problem and provide designers with virtually unlimited choices for including visual imagery in architectural glass. This course looks at how vector graphics are used in architectural design by exploring where, why, and how they are incorporated into a variety of materials, manufacturing processes, and applications. Next, it explains what vector graphics are and how they differ from raster images. The course then examines how vector graphics are used in architectural laminated glass. It ends with project examples.

An examination of the new Poly-Ash category of exterior moulding as it relates to other types of moulding, specifically around the areas of installation, maintenance, and sustainability.

This course covers the essentials of selecting security bollards that provide adequate protection while adding exceptional aesthetic value to a project. This course first examines the needs of a modern outdoor environment and how an assessment can be completed to evaluate a project’s security needs. Next, the course will cover common testing standards as well as the necessary foundation engineering options required to meet those standards. Finally, the course highlights lighting and material options that can be selected to integrate seamlessly into the design of a landscape.

This course covers the basics of cellular PVC for moulding and trim. It shows the learner the anatomy of window surrounds made of cellular PVC, how to install and maintain the material, and finally architectural moulding and trim mistakes to avoid.

There are 3 modes of heat transfer: conductive, convective, & radiant. Radiant Heat Gain (RHG) accounts for significant increases in energy use and impacts building occupant comfort. The use of Radiant Heat Barriers in specific project types can reduce RHG by up to 80% or more improving building performance in both categories. This presentation will provide insight into the science and the solutions.

Architectural coatings not only improve the appearance of a structure but offer protection from the elements. Coatings are available in powder and liquid formulas and while there are differences between the two delivery methods, equivalent weathering systems are available in both. The most commonly used performance specifications for coatings are established by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), with AAMA 2605 being the highest standard. Various testing procedures measure coatings according to AAMA standards. Using formulations that perform according to the appropriate standard for a coating’s application will optimize the service-life of the finish while controlling costs.

This course examines new planning tools and approaches to address emerging water issues. Discover how to strengthen long-term community resilience with a sustainable, healthy water supply and how to adopt recently developed water collection and retention strategies where applicable.

Discuss the potential for high-resolution digital artwork in large-scale architectural applications. Explore production options and requirements of various architectural materials. Define how the concept of gigapixel photography addresses resolution and scale challenges. Describe the impact of transparency, reflectivity, and surrounding conditions on architectural glass showcasing gigapixel photography. List several architectural applications using gigapixel photography.

With the rise in popularity of green roofing, many municipalities are adopting requirements for sustainable design from LEED and other sources. As this creates an increased frequency, design professionals require an increased level of knowledge as to how to create green roofs within the framework of waterproofing, thermal envelope, elevation limits, and other complex issues. This program will provide the attendees with a solid background to solve these problems.

Selecting materials and finishes is an integral part of specifying site furniture products. This course reviews typical conditions inherent to outdoor environments, along with the potential impact on materials, products and installed projects. A range of materials commonly used outdoors, including wood, metal, concrete and glass, is examined against a selection framework that compares conventional materials with high-performance options, and considers material durability, performance, aesthetics, and environmental impact. Several site furniture projects are also examined.

Cellular PVC cladding is delivering high performance characteristics in architectural applications that may not be available with other products. This course presents the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and focuses on high performance coatings, how they work, and how their design contributes to their durability and longevity. This along with the architectural design of pre-finished PVC trim system to accompany the cladding.

Introduction to various types and options in the market place for Specialty siding materials.

The planet is currently in a water scarcity crisis which is significantly affected by toilet water usage. This course examines the current plumbing codes, standards, and regulations that address toilet water usage, the need for, and benefits of, going beyond current standards as well as the goals of a variety of beyond the code voluntary standards and rating systems. It explains the various types of low and ultra-low flow toilets, their pros and cons, and their selection criteria. It concludes with a sampling of successful cost and water-saving installations.

Growing and concentrating populations, shifting weather patterns, increasing frequency and ferocity of storm events, disappearing water supplies, and rising costs have made the provision of potable water and the management of other water-related issues increasingly difficult for many communities. This course explores the current state of water usage and water management practices and the emerging issues affecting potable water supply, stormwater, floodwater, and wastewater management that may affect those usage and management practices and inform the creation of alternative, more resilient ones.

Growing and concentrating populations, shifting weather patterns, increasing frequency and ferocity of storm events, disappearing water supplies, and rising costs have made the provision of potable water and the management of other water-related issues increasingly difficult for many communities. This course explores the current state of water usage and water management practices and the emerging issues affecting potable water supply, stormwater, floodwater, and wastewater management that may affect those usage and management practices and inform the creation of alternative, more resilient ones.

Today—as climate change, population growth, and record droughts present an unprecedented strain on our water supply—conservation technology is building awareness to the importance of having the most water efficient fixtures in a home or business. This course recognizes the flush toilet as one of the biggest users of water and discusses how toilet design is pushing flush technology to develop ways for homes and commercial buildings to conserve water without sacrificing the performance of the toilet. Industry testing protocols and the water-saving capabilities of different technologies are evaluated.

From fashion to function, the shower space of the bathroom is a focal point, offering a place of quite and respite for rejuvenation. Shower spaces

Protected membrane roof (PMR) systems offer many benefits to building owners and provide architects with design options that can maximize the energy efficiency, durability, and performance of a building envelope. This presentation compares the functional and physical features of PMR systems to conventional low-slope roofing applications. We’ll also discuss the standard ASCE 7 and its impact on wind uplift design and how weather events such as hail impact roof design.

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.

Outdoor living space has become an important residential design consideration in the last several years. Decks create welcoming spaces to relax and entertain with family and friends, and a well-built deck can add more living space and value to a home. This course discusses deck surfaces, maintenance, and costs and explores porcelain tile as an alternative to wood and composite deck surfaces that is well suited to exterior environments. Also discussed is how porcelain tile can be used with a new pultruded fiberglass and composite underlayment, called structural ribbed self-supporting boards, and the sustainable features of this technology.

Bathrooms can be dangerous for people with and without physical limitations. The prevalence of bathroom falls amongst persons of all age groups.

Concrete-faced insulated products are composite prefinished panels that are used to construct walls and roofing assemblies to maximize the energy efficiency, durability, and performance of a building envelope. This course discusses the design criteria used in designing energy-efficient buildings using concrete-faced continuous insulation systems for low-slope roofing, walls, and foundations. The functional and physical features of protective membrane roof (PMR) systems, concrete-faced insulated panels for walls and foundations, and concrete structural insulated panels (CSIPs) are evaluated.

Without a doubt, the human-nature connection contributes to well-being and improves our mood. Water features are one way to extend this connection to the indoors. In this course, we'll review the components of indoor water features, design options and considerations and look at a few case studies.

This course is designed to give all attendees a basic knowledge and understanding of Entrance Flooring Systems. Entrance Flooring has a very important role in keeping building entrances clean, safe, and creating a great first impression, yet it can often be overlooked throughout the design process. This course aims to teach the importance and benefits of using these systems and the potential hazards that can take place if they are not.