In the 1920s, aluminum turned the world of metals upside-down with its benefits of light weight, strength, fabrication flexibility, and durability. Since then, finishing technology has provided a steady stream of protection and coloring improvements. This course explores the sustainability of aluminum, the anodizing process, and the performance characteristics of architectural anodized aluminum. It includes information to assist in the selection and specification of architectural anodized finishes for aluminum sheet, extrusions, and panels.

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

Leading aluminum extrusion manufacturers have established a variety of methods pertaining to material grade, surface protection, and component solutions to maximize the benefits of aluminum to suit a wide variety of applications. These advancements in technology have led to the development of sustainable wood-patterned aluminum products designed for exterior and interior applications. This course focuses on how these products can be used as a beautiful, high-performance, durable alternative for real wood in a range of applications, including screens, facades, decking, fencing, gates, cladding, and more.

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

Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic upswing in the number of companies that want to build reputations as good corporate citizens. Natural, organic, and sustainable are all highly desirable characteristics in the world of building supply products. According to a 2020 study by accounting and consulting firm Deloitte Touche, it’s the company’s responsibility to provide "greener, cleaner, and more responsibly produced" products to remain relevant to their growing green customer base. But with the plethora of environmental claims by companies seeking to advance their products, “green,” “eco-friendly,” “sustainable,” and the like are terms that have become confusing at best and meaningless at worst. In order to keep from drowning in greenwash, the market has demanded greater transparency and verifiable evidence of sustainable performance all along the supply chain. This course discusses how architects can be reasonably assured that products, particularly western red cedar wood products, are maximally sustainable. Life cycle analysis (LCA) and forest certification are discussed in terms of their place on an architect’s sustainability agenda, and an LCA of western red cedar is presented to demonstrate the level of research involved, along with results that can be expected from the life cycle approach.

Glass doors, windows, and storefronts are among the most vulnerable points of entry in the building envelope, and with episodes of riots, smash-and-grab crime, forced entry, and active shooters on the rise, the need for security glazing is growing. This course provides an understanding of the physical security needs of the built environment and what requirements should be met by threat mitigation products for existing storefront and building glazing. The course focus is on a new generation of clear, retrofit security “over-glaze” systems, utilizing heavy-gauge, architectural-grade polycarbonate and extruded framing designed to resist forced entry and ballistic attacks.

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

Metals are ubiquitous in today’s hardscape and are used in a variety of applications. This course reviews the important considerations related to the proper material, finish, and manufacturing technique to meet the function, aesthetic, and budget of metal designs for hardscape applications.

Architectural metal fabric is a dynamic interior and exterior material used to create beautiful and functional façades, balustrades, and screening for a wide variety of commercial and public structures. This course discusses applications for metal fabric and its performance benefits, including safety, security, solar management, and sustainability. It also discusses how coatings and graphics technologies can be incorporated into metal fabrics to enhance branding and visual identity.

Composite construction utilizes dissimilar materials to exploit the benefits of each. While composite construction in general has been used extensively for several decades, open-web composite joist construction is now becoming a more popular choice through new and innovative solutions. This course presents the components and benefits of composite joist systems, addresses connector types and layouts, and offers specification tips and design considerations.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all state and local government agencies, commercial facilities, and public entities that have “places of public accommodation.” Presented in this course are the fundamentals of what accessibility means in terms of architectural door hardware specification. Topics include available hardware technology, the criteria for interior and perimeter access, and the codes and guidelines pertaining to the ADA requirements that affect door hardware selection.

Pest control is vital to protecting our quality of life, food and water sources, and environment. How pest control is achieved is just as vital to the long-term safety and sustainability of our health, buildings, and natural resources. This course discusses how integrated pest management (IPM) suppresses pest populations in effective, economical, and environmentally safe ways, and details how to establish an IPM plan for a facility, including LEED® building projects.

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

Retaining walls resist the lateral displacement of soil or other materials, and their long-term performance is dependent on proper design and construction. This course focuses on the segmental retaining wall (SRW), a type of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall. Presented here are SRW types and components, advantages over other retaining wall systems, design considerations, and construction tolerances, as well as reasons that SRWs fail.

Commercial building interiors see all kinds of wear and tear on a daily basis. Various forms of wall protection can combat this wear and tear to help extend the longevity of a space, maintain a clean look, and cut down on maintenance costs. This course discusses the different wall protection products available, how to identify which wall protection products fit certain applications, and which building codes apply to these products.

Recent changes in commercial wall assembly design have resulted in increased energy efficiency but also present new challenges to meeting building code fire safety provisions. The focus of this course is on air barrier membranes and the proper integration of these materials into fire-safe wall assemblies.

There are a number of building elements that maintain a separation between indoors and out. These elements should be able to work together to provide a comfortable and energy-efficient building. This course reviews building envelope systems, with a focus on selecting performance-based products for below-grade, above-grade, and roofing applications, and a discussion on best practices for design and installation.

Fixed access ladders are a part of almost all commercial buildings, and yet their design and installation are often ignored or forgotten until the last stage of building inspection. An improperly designed and installed ladder can lead to safety concerns for the building's occupants. This course reviews different types of fixed access ladders and the corresponding safety codes and standards that ensure users' welfare. Ladder design features and materials required for safe fabrication and installation are discussed and various case studies are examined.

Fluid-applied resinous coatings have the ability to meet the performance demands of spaces as varied as aircraft hangars, surgical suites, and high-end restaurants. Selecting the proper coating type that meets all project needs calls for an understanding of coating components, substrate requirements, and the wide variety of performance characteristics of each type. This course introduces high-performance resinous coatings, providing you with the information to be able to make an informed selection to best meet clients’ needs and expectations for durability, safety, hygiene, and aesthetics.

Rubber has been recycled for more than a century and used in recycled rubber flooring for over 65 years. Over this time, it has been proven to be a durable and flexible product that improves numerous aspects of the built environment while benefiting the natural environment. This course examines the sustainability attributes of recycled rubber flooring, how rubber is recycled, how it is used to make flooring, its health and safety benefits, and where to use and not use the product. The course also includes an overview of how recycled rubber flooring can be used to meet a number of USGBC’s LEED® v4 BD+C and WELL Building Standard® v2 credit requirements.

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

Aluminum drywall trim is a high-quality, easy-to-install material that can elevate drywall from a simple wall and ceiling treatment to the paramount feature of a sleek, modern design aesthetic. Provided here is a synopsis of the performance attributes and sustainability features of aluminum trim. This includes the types of trim available, installation details, and design potential, as well as the manufacturing, fabrication, finishing, and specification of aluminum trims.

Electric heating systems have been in use for over a century, and in that period, they have significantly advanced in terms of their efficiency, cost effectiveness, safety, versatility, and appearance. Recently, electricity production itself has become more and more environmentally friendly and economically viable. This course explores how the wide range of contemporary electric heating options can efficiently and economically address virtually every heating need in every building type and thus capitalize on the steadily increasing benefits of electricity to create the most environmentally responsible and economically viable heating solutions.

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

Building science experts have acknowledged the need for both drainage and ventilation in exterior wall systems in order to eliminate moisture issues and extend the life of buildings. This presentation reviews the concepts of rainscreen technology and the solutions for compliance with a focus on engineered rainscreen drainage and ventilation mats used in direct-applied and ventilated wall designs.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Healthcare environments require high-performance, durable, and sustainable materials to meet the ever-increasing demands for the health and safety of patients and staff. Vinyl provides a reliable and proven solution that supports infection control measures, the need for long-lasting products, and the replacement of infrastructure that supports health and wellness, clean water, reduced carbon footprint, and long product service life. Vinyl is a material of choice for interiors as well as the core and shell of healthcare buildings. Chemistry and formulations are part of successful product performance; utilizing life cycle approaches to product selection, meeting owner project requirements, and supporting criteria within green building certifications are all part of the vinyl story.

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

Lightweight, impact resistant, and easily molded, polycarbonate's durability and versatility allow it to turn innovative, imaginative architectural designs into a cost-effective reality. This course outlines polycarbonate's effectiveness in bringing natural light into enclosed spaces, its role in improving the mental well-being of building occupants, its advantages over other panel/sheet materials, and its aesthetic virtues.

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

The first course of this series from the Carbon Leadership Forum provides a high-level overview of embodied carbon: how it is defined, its significance in the global climate crisis, and how it is impacted by the construction industry. In addition, the course examines procurement policies as an embodied carbon reduction strategy—in particular, the Buy Clean policies, their uptake in the US, and their key elements.

Problems associated with moisture in construction are common and wide-ranging—from mold and rot, to corrosion and degradation, to leakage and staining—and affect not just the durability, appearance, and functioning of the building, but also the health of the building’s occupants. This course addresses the materials and techniques that help to manage moisture in exterior walls and includes examples of common mistakes that lead to failures.

Every designer needs a strong digital presence to stake a place in a crowded marketplace. This course presents easy-to-implement, expert advice for how creatives can craft effective websites and social media profiles that help build their brands and attract prospective clients.

 In order to download this course, a USD $25.00 fee must be paid.

The beaches and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean are some of the advantages of living in Florida. However, the extreme wind forces from hurricanes can easily damage even the strongest buildings and cause billions of dollars in property loss. As a result, certain areas of Florida―Miami-Dade and Broward Counties—have been designated High Velocity Hurricane Zones. The building products used in these zones must be laboratory tested to meet extreme wind and pressure performance standards. This course explains why a metal roof system designed to minimize the damage from hurricanes is important.