EPDM, PVC, and TPO are the most popular single-ply roofing materials used in low-slope roof applications today. This course presents an overview of the differences between these materials in terms of manufacturing, formulation, and performance. In addition, seaming, flashing, and installation options are reviewed to aid in selecting a durable system that meets the project requirements.

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R-values for enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of the walls, roof, or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective, and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIPs as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings.

Designing to accommodate thermal movement is just one of the many critical details for the long-term success of a metal roof installation. This course covers the design and specification considerations and architectural details that impact project requirements, as well as the components and the energy efficient features of metal roofing assemblies.

Low Impact Development (LID) has several advantages over traditional stormwater management approaches. Since impervious pavement is the main source of stormwater runoff, LID strategies recommend permeable paving for hard surfaces. The course discusses LID, its goals and principles and how they are achieved. It provides an overview of permeable pavements, and more particularly, plastic permeable grid paver systems and how they support LID goals.

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

People experience color in different ways and in different settings; in particular, people in healthcare settings who are vulnerable, healing, or aging are influenced by colors used in interior design. This course presents an overview of color and how we perceive it, as well as some of the research findings on color’s effects on psychological, emotional, and physical health. Designers will also learn how color can enhance safety, orientation, and navigation, and the role that non-SBR rubber can play in offering optimal flooring solutions for healthcare institutions.

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

Audio-Visual (AV) systems and interactive experiences can be complex. To properly integrate an AV system within a building or other venue, and make it completely accessible, a practicing AV consultant should be part of the design team from early on in the project. Addressed in this course are: traditional and modern AV systems, their costs, installation, and suitable applications; proper equipment storage, cooling, and maintenance access; and designing to meet ADA requirements.

Understanding building physics is critical to proper building envelope design. Examined here are practical concepts for the building designer, including how cladding systems perform across different climate zones and applications. Environmental control layers and hygrothermal loads are reviewed, as is the concept of perfect/universal wall design. The course focuses on how single-component insulated metal panels (IMPs) function as a perfect/universal wall, simplifying wall system design and installation.

In this one-hour presentation, we explore how HVLS fans can contribute to LEED v4, increase thermal comfort, and provide a silent and elegant design strategy. We discuss how to save energy and improve indoor air quality for building occupants. Our team will explain how HVLS fans provide a creative design solution that effectively moves large amounts of air within occupied spaces to cool building occupants, maintain thermal comfort, and support ventilation strategies. Finally, we will review computational fluid dynamics to measure airflow performance and impact to a space and how this can contribute to LEED v4 certification.

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

Synthetic (artificial) grass, specifically designed for use with dogs, is a cost-effective solution that offers a clean, safe, and aesthetically pleasing environment for dogs. Presented here are the health, safety, performance, and cost benefits of installing synthetic grass specifically designed for dogs; its suitable applications; design considerations; installation factors; and maintenance guidelines.

Birds, bird droppings, and nesting materials can detract from buildings’ architectural features; more importantly, they can negatively impact the environment by creating health and safety risks. This course provides a review of bird deterrent products, along with a discussion of the characteristics of common pest birds, bird problem assessment, and the issues and concerns associated with the roosting and nesting of pest birds.

Modern hydronic radiator systems are an energy efficient, healthy, and hygienic solution for residential and commercial applications. This course will discuss the principles of radiant heating, panel radiators, and how to size panel radiators for residential applications.

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

Daylight is an essential part of our health and well-being, but it needs management. Shading strives to maximize daylight without compromising building occupant comfort and well-being. This course explores the role daylight has within the built environment and its impact on occupants and energy usage, with a focus on how to better specify shadecloth based on factors such as project type, solar optical properties, shadecloth composition, and environmental factors.

There are two requirements to provide a good audio system: analysis and mitigation of the acoustic performance of the space, and proper design of the audio system itself. Architects and designers need to treat these two elements as completely separate subjects and should involve an Audio-Visual specialist during the planning stages of any project to ensure proper performance of an audio system. This course explains the fundamentals of acoustics and identifies how sound frequencies respond in different environments. Acoustic analysis and mitigation approaches are examined with the goal of achieving a properly targeted audio system design that will enhance the users’ experience.

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 to view details.

Meeting the ventilation requirements of ASHRAE 62.2 and maintaining an energy efficient home means balancing the need for fresh outdoor air and the energy needed to condition it. In this course we will examine the ventilation requirements in ASHRAE 62.2, discuss how they can be met, look at some solutions for energy efficient ventilating.

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

This course offers an introduction to linear low-density polyethylene privacy fencing, including its attributes, components, and general installation instructions.

The roofing system can have a dramatic effect on the building’s life cycle and energy costs, as well as its overall appearance. This course explores stone coated steel roofing systems, and includes discussions on the installation methods used, testing and standards, and comparative characteristics and sustainable attributes of stone coated steel roofing versus traditional roofing materials.

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

Wood is the only carbon-negative, sustainable building product there is. Using more wood and wood-based products for interior and exterior applications can help to lower carbon emissions and combat climate change. This course discusses the benefits of using wood, identifies what sustainable hardwood species are the most abundant and where some of the best managed, certified hardwood forests are located, and compares the physical and performance properties of European beech to eight other temperate hardwoods.

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

Traditionally used for high-performance architectural applications, water-based PVDF coatings can now be applied to cellular PVC cladding materials, delivering high performance in a new application. This course presents the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and focuses on water-based PVDF coatings, how they work, and how their performance characteristics contribute to their durability.

Deck structures provide neat and sturdy living spaces that mirror interior conveniences while set in the ultimate, great outdoors. Choosing the right deck board for a specific project requires considering the size of the project, its location, and local climate conditions. This course discusses the performance characteristics and benefits of using multi-layer, cellular PVC decking—a durable decking material that replicates the unique beauty of exotic hardwood.

Trim and molding occupy a small amount of space on a home’s exterior, however their aesthetic value outweighs their size. Properly designed exterior moldings and trim need a full understanding of the materials and the design rules and functions for each location. This course takes the reader through the design and installation of exterior moldings, in particular PVC molding, and looks at some common molding mistakes and solutions.

Manufacturing companies are seeing an increased demand for product transparency. This course discusses what sustainability and Design for Environment are, how transparency documents are created, how they contribute to green building certification, and how investing in sustainability can produce process and operational efficiencies that benefit people, planet, and business.

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

Automated-shading systems are designed to maximize natural daylight, increase building energy efficiency, and ensure occupants have a comfortable environment with views to the outside. This course will explain how an automated shading system predicts, monitors, and responds to the daily microclimate surrounding a building to effectively manage daylight, solar-heat gain, occupant comfort levels, and energy use demands.

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

There are some complex issues involved in achieving ADA-compliant designs in all types of building construction. In terms of bathroom design, it is important to comprehend the ADA standards in order to minimize the risk of injury and to ensure end user comfort and ease of use. This course covers ADA-compliant design requirements for shower compartments and lavatory tops using solid surface materials—from planning and design to installation.

The increased use of the harnessing of atomic energy and increased industrial and medical use of x-rays have brought about the challenges of controlling the powerful radiation emitted. In this course, we look at the basics of radiation protection, as well as discussions on the types, characteristics, and specification considerations of various radiation shielding products.

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