The goal of any roofing project should be long-term performance of the roof system. This means thoughtful, long-term consideration of any details incorporated into it. This course discusses details and conditions to consider when installing trim, seams, and accessories into a metal roofing system to ensure long-lasting performance. Examples of incorrect and correct installations and their effects on the performance of the roof are shown.

The importance of the building envelope in improving energy efficiency and building performance has been well established. The many envelope products and systems now available, along with a considerable amount of (mis)information as to their usage, make it difficult for designers to make choices that avoid costly building failures. This course explores in detail proper product selection, performance characteristics, applicable codes, testing procedures, best practices, and tie-in details for air and vapor barriers that will ensure a continuous air seal and a high-performance envelope.

Buildings need protection from cyber as well as physical threats. Building shielding offers several architectural solutions that contribute to the security of both building occupants and wireless systems. These solutions also help reduce unwanted solar heat and glare while providing protection from the elements and people. This course presents the security and performance benefits of shielding technology that can improve wireless performance, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort, satisfaction, and safety.

Driven largely by public interest in minimizing the potential environmental impact of building products, architects and builders actively embrace “green” initiatives and are calling for building product transparency. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) was developed to address this need. This course examines the EPD and includes discussions on who wants EPDs and why, the EPD development process, the contents of an EPD, and the future of EPDs.

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

Bathrooms can be dangerous places for people with and without physical limitations. The prevalence of bathroom falls amongst persons of all age groups and levels of ability has driven the trend of accessible shower design. Presented here is an overview of how curbless shower pans are designed for durability and safety, and meet the needs of accessible design. Included are discussions on traditional and modern shower pan design and installation methods and their associated drawbacks and benefits. Industry resources and standards are outlined.

Unprotected openings resulting from the installation of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems represent a breach of the fire resistive floor or wall assemblies. This course examines firestop systems used for maintaining or regaining the fire resistance rating of a fire separation, and includes discussions on testing standards, fire classified floor boxes, poke-thru devices, and through-wall penetration systems.

Electrical devices impact the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants, so proper specification is critical. This courses looks at electrical devices and the safety issues associated with them. The course includes discussions on the features of duplex receptacles, hospital grade receptacles, GFCIs and other electrical devices, and also discusses updated UL requirements and NEC codes.

Expansion or modification of electrical cabling is rarely considered yet occurs during the lifetime of most buildings. Expansion of in-wall cabling requires additional work and trades, but cable trays facilitate removal and addition of cabling. This course reviews of two types of cable tray—ladder tray and wire mesh tray—their components, characteristics and applications, and code related installation information.

Provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of designing with cellular PVC trim, including a discussion on the installation guidelines and manufacturing processes.

When the asphalt fumes, open flame and kettles that accompany hot applied roofing are not permissible, cold applied roofing is an option. There are a variety of types of cold applied roofing that offer easy portability of materials to the roof, smaller roofing crews, ease of application and a low VOC option. In this course we’ll focus on the adhesive application of modified bitumen membranes using bituminous cold process adhesives, the adhesive types, their components and characteristics, application methods and design and use considerations.

Siding adds to the attractiveness of a residence while protecting the home from damage by the elements. Options for siding and trim encompass a variety of materials, including engineered wood, natural wood, fiber cement, and vinyl. This course reviews the features, performance characteristics, styles, and installation considerations of engineered wood siding and trim products.

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

Vinyl is one of the most popular types of plastic because of its durability and cost-effectiveness. However, the safety and sustainability of vinyl often comes into question. This course discusses the human and environmental impacts of vinyl, sustainable corporate strategies, and product transparency.

Electrical systems that deliver access to permanent power and enable device connectivity are critical components of the design and operation of high performance buildings. Today’s mobile technology means people can connect and move freely between the indoors and outdoors, and integrate their social and work lives, anytime, anywhere. This course examines permanent outdoor power delivery offerings , including charging stations and in ground power boxes, that support the growing demand for connectivity and data and audio visual communications in outdoor spaces and help to create an outdoor environment that promotes longer stays, stimulates creativity, and increases productivity.

Energy codes are appearing on the Federal, State, and Local level in an effort to reduce energy consumption, save consumers money, and reduce CO2 emissions. Whether new or existing, energy codes play an important role in the buildings we design, build, and ultimately live, work and play. This course examines the lighting requirements and provisions of the ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010 and the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code®, and identifies plug and lighting control strategies for energy efficiency.

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

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.

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

Quartz surfacing material is one of the most durable products in the market today. While there are many surfacing options available, such as natural stone, acrylic solid surface, ceramic, concrete, and laminate, none offer the flexibility, strength and endless design possibilities as a quartz surface. This course will examine the characteristics, attributes, and manufacturing processes involved with quartz surfaces. A comparison of other surfacing options will be discussed, as well as using quartz surfaces in healthcare system applications.

Sinterization is a specialized manufacturing process that uses extreme heat and pressure to create a unique product called ultracompact surfacing material. This cutting-edge material can be used in ways that natural stone, solid surface, or quartz material cannot. This course examines the advantages of ultracompact surfaces in terms of strength, durability, chemical resistance, absorption, abrasion resistance, and ASTM testing. Design flexibility with ultracompact surfaces in terms of color, texture, and format is also discussed and possible interior/exterior application options are considered.

Modern construction has come to understand that a façade, as part of an overall building envelope, is not only a visual statement, but also an important influencer in the protection of a wall’s structural components, the energy efficiency of the building, and the health of its occupants. This course explores a unique surfacing material known as ultracompact surfacing (UCS) and evaluates its mechanical properties, technical characteristics, and aesthetics to illustrate its endless design potential in exterior cladding, façade and rainscreen applications.

Large format floor tiles are elegant, classy, and timeless, and create spacious and stylish environments with high-end appeal. This course introduces a unique, cutting edge surfacing material known as ultracompact surfacing (UCS) and explores how it is manufactured, installation considerations, and the attributes that contribute to its superior performance and design potential.

Selecting outdoor kitchen cabinetry and appliances that meet a client’s needs and budget, and that address climate concerns can be challenging. This course explores the design of safe, functional, and aesthetically pleasing outdoor kitchen and living areas, and presents the various types of cabinetry available, with a focus on stainless steel as a positive alternative for cabinetry. Included is a synopsis of outdoor kitchen design principles and considerations.

This course reviews the trends in outdoor amenity spaces in hospitality, commercial, and multifamily developments with a focus on the use of stainless steel cabinetry in outdoor kitchen design. Included are discussions on outdoor kitchen components, mobile food and beverage service carts, and the post and panel system developed for multifamily applications.

Commercial aluminum wall, window, and roof systems have undergone improvements in recent decades, making them technologically sufficient to meet contemporary standards of durability. In addition to being familiar with the systems' thermal and other ecological benefits, specifiers need to understand paint chemistry and the difference between powder and liquid coating application methods. It is also important to understand third-party specifications published by AAMA, which cover architectural coatings.

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

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.

Provides an overview of how designers and engineers have moved from their basic 2D environment, into a highly intelligent, collaborative world based in the cloud. Design, construction, and building maintenance will never be the same.

High-performance architectural glass can significantly improve the energy efficiency of buildings while reducing their operating costs and carbon emissions. This course provides in-depth information about the solar energy spectrum and common glass performance measures, including the manufacturing processes for passive and solar control low-e coatings and how the energy, environmental, and economic benefits of low-e glass are quantified.

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