This course offers insight into the environmental performance of Redwood Lumber. The details and results of a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing Redwood and plastic/composite decking options will be shared as will information about Redwood’s Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). The course also provides comparisons between Redwood Lumber and other wood species, as well as details about the sustainability of modern Redwood forestry management practices. Finally, this course provides details on important product attributes of Redwood Lumber including grades, fire performance, strength, and finishing options among others.

Waterproofing problem solving using PMMA CFA (Cold Fluid Applied) Roofing and Waterproofing Membrane Systems.

Specifying the right sectional door system for your commercial project can have a great effect on the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.

In this live presentation, attendees will better understand how to select and specify commercial operators for various applications to ensure the health, safety, & welfare needs of building occupants.

Provides an overview of the performance characteristics and benefits of using multi-layer, cellular PVC decking—a durable decking material that replicates the unique beauty of exotic hardwood.

Carbon is a buzzword but what does it really mean in practical terms during new construction or renovation? Learn the answers through our informative AIA accredited 3-part series on “Re-Solutions.”

Part 1: A Carbon Case for Building and Material Re-use

This course explores the versatility and benefits of temporary walls/barricades in optimizing the design of large spaces. Architects and designers will learn how to use SwiftWall systems effectively to address common pain points in their projects ranging from the design of manufacturing facilities, lease spaces, warehouses, tents, and industrial spaces. This course addresses pain points in design and construction toward improved project value in adaptability, reusability, cost management, planning, and sustainability. Additionally, this course helps designers unleash the power of SwiftWall for enhanced design accuracy and efficiency using BIM.

This course provides evidence that Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. It will explore the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures such as arbors, pergolas, and gazebos. The course also provides information about Redwood’s insulation properties and Class B flame spread, as well as details about modern Redwood forestry management practices that ensure Redwood will remain a renewable natural resource into the future. Finally, this course provides details on the product attributes of Redwood Timbers including grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength among others.

This course will investigate the history of exterior stucco to the most recent developments in stucco assemblies designed with innovative weather resistive air barrier membranes in a ventilated rainscreen wall assembly. Participants will identify drainage and venting requirements and understand the details of stucco wall systems. The course will explore case studies from failure to remediation, including successful projects utilizing the new innovative all-in-one drainage matrix and weather resistive air barrier technology.

Railings are often one of the most important parts of a deck or stair project because of the safety and security they provide, but they can offer character, style, and beauty as well as functionality. Today’s railing systems present many possibilities to create a unique design perfectly suited to the project needs. This course examines high-strength, powder-coated aluminum railings, from code considerations to installation and maintenance. It presents the versatile, mix-and-match capability of finishes, top rail styles, lighting, and infill options that offer long-lasting, easy-to-install solutions for residential and commercial applications, both indoors and out.

Low permeance vapor barriers, once thought to improve performance, may in fact increase interior condensation and trap moisture within the wall assembly. Due to the problems with impermeable water-resistive barrier (WRB) installation many architects are now incorporating highly vapor open WRB systems in their designs. But many still believe too much permeability is bad for a wall assembly. Studies show that highly permeable WRB systems increase substrate drying, reduce the wet time of absorptive claddings allowing permeable WRB membranes to enhance the wall assembly performance. This presentation investigates the current research on vapor open systems and discusses how more permeability enhances wall assembly performance.

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.

Explore the technology, history and benefits of single ply roof systems, with a core focus on EPDM, PVC, and TPO

The course details the benefits of designing with natural metals such as zinc, stainless and copper in order to achieve a uniquely aesthetic style with complex curves and tapers of the metal panels for a roof or a wall application.

This course features an overview discussion on sustainability in the built environment, including common terminology and guidance on what tools/resources are used in designing for low embodied carbon green building projects. In addition, it reviews certification platforms and how to optimize product attributes with the many commercial roofing assemblies.

A discussion about cellular PVC trim products, applications, and manufacturing while looking deeper into synthetic trim materials and specific product examples.

During the tour video, architects will see how PVC and the micro ingredients are blended into a homogenous compound, the extrusion of free foam cellular PVC sheet and how that differs from the celuka process, in line processes such as board cutting and embossing, off line fabrication and installation best practices.

This course reviews the importance of weather-resistive barriers (WRBs): why they are critical and the technology considerations specifiers should use when evaluating WRB’s performance. It will also outline several of the most important building code and industry requirements related to air barriers and what they mean.

This course features an overview discussion on modified bitumen roofing solutions for lowslope roofing applications. It provides an explanation of the features, benefits and differences between SBS and APP systems, including how these systems offer a sustainable, built-to-last roofing solution.

In this session, we focus on how fire-rated glazing systems contribute to achieving LEED credits, integrating safety and sustainability while enhancing environmental performance and occupant well-being. It's not necessary to compromise on lowering embodied carbon while achieving design goals. We also cover the importance of key transparency documents that can help make informed decisions on products that meet environmental goals. This course will help architects and designers uncover innovative strategies to maximize transparency, energy efficiency, and indoor environmental quality, and explore how fire-rated glazing supports sustainable construction practices, shaping a future of safer, healthier, and more environmentally responsible built environments.

The United Nations has set 2030 as the deadline for member nations to achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The construction industry has set complementary goals, including the AIA 2030 Commitment to reach net zero emissions in the built environment by 2030. This course discusses how circular economy building products are necessary to achieve sustainable design goals and presents the case study of Kohler WasteLAB, a small manufacturing business within Kohler Company that creates beautiful products for the home from waste.

This presentation shares why sealants are a critical tool in making buildings more energy efficient, including how they prevent air and water leaks in gaps, cracks, joints, and fenestrations. It also explores what to look for in a sealant, including the properties associated with flexibility and long-term performance

Infrared patio heaters are the best method of increasing comfort for outdoor entertaining areas of any size. There are many variables in creating a warm ambient setting as both the effectiveness and the cost of heating an outdoor space greatly depend on the heating option that is selected and the way it is designed. This course looks at the outdoor heating options that are available with a focus on the types, color choices, mounting methods, and control options of electric infrared heaters, including a review of the steps that are required in selecting the best solution.

High-performance coatings are a necessity when it comes to protecting building exteriors and restoring them after harsh weathering and UV degradation; the right coatings prolong a building exterior’s life span and divert materials from landfills. New PVDF coating systems provide superior protection while satisfying aesthetic and environmental considerations. Their various characteristics and benefits are explored, and application methods are discussed.

This course covers how to use the COMcheck(TM) software from the Department of Energy to evaluate whether mass walls meet Energy Code requirements.

Since the 1920s, designers and owners have benefited from the use of structural lightweight concrete. Unfortunately, over the past few decades, some designers have turned away from specifying structural lightweight due to incomplete evaluation of the full life cycle benefits of lightweight aggregate concrete, and substantial misunderstandings surrounding concrete moisture vapor emissions. During this course we will explore the full sustainable aspects conveyed through the use of structural lightweight concrete and illustrate to the attendee how structural lightweight concrete is the sustainable design option. Further, we will discuss the need, and associated benefits, of implementing a systematic approach to designing structural slabs in conjunction with subsequent flooring, coating, or roofing materials.