With the increasing prominence of glass in new buildings and retrofits, the use of window film can raise the style, performance, and safety of today’s building projects. This course examines the use of various types of window film (decorative, solar control, and safety/security) and their role in improving occupant comfort and safety, lowering energy costs, and enhancing privacy.

Can commercial overhead doors contribute to the sustainability goals of buildings requiring garage, drive-through, fire, dock, and service products? To meet these goals, commercial sectional and rolling doors should be engineered to provide energy efficiency and personnel protection, and to mitigate fire and wind damage. This course examines the sustainable attributes of commercial overhead doors and explores their design potential in LEED® compliant projects.

Permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) has the ability to create solid, strong surfaces for pedestrians and a range of vehicular uses; it can help maintain a site’s existing natural hydrologic function and reduce the overall impact of development. This course discusses the components of a PICP system and how they work together to manage stormwater in a variety of applications. Also addressed are hydrological and structural factors to consider when designing with PICP and how PICP contributes to sustainable building goals and projects.

Specifying door products that are durable enough to withstand the rigorous demands of high-traffic applications in the healthcare and hospitality industries is crucial to the long-term success of each installation. This course reviews traditional doorway materials and doorway protection options, and provides design solutions that utilize engineered polyethylene terephthalate (PETG) components that extend the life of the door assembly and minimize health and safety issues for the building occupants.

Insulated metal shakes offer a three-dimensional appearance that is a long-lasting alternative to conventional standing seam metal, cedar, or slate roofing. The roof system installs easily, keeping labor costs down; it withstands extreme conditions and is low maintenance throughout its long life. This course describes how the high performance of 24-gauge Galvalume® steel, a PVDF coating, and EPS insulation is combined to form a durable, energy-efficient, completely recyclable roofing product with a classic look.

Net zero energy ready buildings are a popular topic in today's world of climate change. This course explores how energy efficiency has expanded toward exterior wall assemblies, where thermal bridging and thermally broken subframing systems are becoming the new norm.

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by outdoor solar lighting specs and components, especially when every manufacturer presents its products differently. Lighting professionals can help clients put these manufacturers on an equal playing field. Providing an in-depth introduction to the technology and benefits of off-grid solar lighting, this course explores why clients choose commercial solar lighting, what components make up a solar lighting system, and the three steps lighting professionals can take to ensure their clients choose a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective solution that meets their unique expectations.

Vinyl has long been a material of choice for construction products for interiors and exteriors because of its durability, cleanability, affordability, and suitability for a vast range of applications. This course furthers the conversation by discussing vinyl’s recyclability and sustainability and the attributes of laminated rigid PVC exterior and interior wall panels and siding and soffit products.

Not only are we living longer, but senior citizens are the fastest growing segment of the world’s population. The aging population faces problems with declining vision related to disease as well as growing older. This course discusses changes in color perception among the elderly and explains how appropriate color use and application of low- or no-VOC, durable, high-quality paint facilitates quality of life in all environments for the aging.

Terrazzo is versatile and durable, comes in a range of colors, and has multiple applications. It can be used in interiors and exteriors and, depending on the manufacturing process, can be customized to fit complex geometries. In this course, we discuss different applications of precast, cementitious, and epoxy terrazzo and the installation requirements, as well as the ability to customize these products to fit different design requirements.

Infrared patio heaters sustainably increase safety and comfort in outdoor entertaining areas. There are many variables in creating ambient warmth, and the effectiveness and cost of heating an outdoor space depend on the design of the selected heating option. This course looks at the available outdoor heating options and their sustainability profiles, focusing on the types, color choices, mounting methods, and control options of electric infrared heaters. It includes a review of the steps required to select the best solution.

New technology and improvements in masonry veneer installation can help your team save time and money in the construction process while providing superior results. In this course, you'll learn how cutting-edge technology is helping masons move beyond traditional lath and scratch and be introduced to the principles behind enhanced masonry veneer installation systems (EMVIS). Learn how to create permanent, high-strength installations for residential, commercial, and industrial applications using EMVIS with fortified mortars and innovative waterproofing barrier membranes that protect against air and water penetration.

Plumbing design is highly regulated; improper design and installation can pose a serious health risk or result in costly property damage. This course reviews the plumbing codes and standards that govern plumbing fittings and fixtures, with special attention to standards to control the leaching of organics, metals, and lead into drinking water.

Single-skin metal siding can be used for a wide range of projects, from commercial buildings to educational, healthcare, residential, agricultural, and even high-end architectural designs. These siding panels can also contribute to green designs and certification programs. This course explores the different types of single-skin metal siding, specification details, and performance and design considerations.

Local vacuum networks are economical and sustainable systems that provide deep, stable, high-quality vacuum to a variety of lab environments. In this course, the environmental and performance benefits of local vacuum networks vs. central vacuum systems are explored, along with discussions on their components and design and installation considerations. Brief case studies are used to highlight the wide range of flexible, adaptable solutions supported by this strategy.

The building sector is responsible for the majority of carbon emissions in urban centers. As governments enact new policies on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050, the building industry is shifting to green technologies and renewable energy resources. This course examines how geothermal exchange systems use the Earth’s constant temperature to heat and cool buildings without emitting carbon. Their contribution to energy performance credits in the LEED® v4 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating systems is reviewed, as are installation options, the design and construction process, the energy-as-a-service model, and the numerous benefits of geothermal exchange systems in a variety of applications.

This course explores some of the different types of metal roof penetrations, concerns dealing with improper installation or failures, and associated details and installation practices to ensure a properly performing and long-lasting roof penetration.

Wood is both beautiful and practical but lacks long-term durability when used outdoors. Acetylation changes the material properties of the wood at the molecular level to improve its stability and weathering capabilities. This course reviews the acetylation process, its impact on wood performance, and how and where this type of wood can be used. Also discussed are the green features of acetylated wood and how it can contribute toward earning points in the LEED® v4 green building rating system.

In this course, you will learn about strategies for supplying lab vacuum in STEM facilities. Relative strengths and weaknesses are considered. Emphasis is placed on the specification, design, and installation of local vacuum networks. Brief case studies are used to demonstrate the suitability of local vacuum networks for a wide range of project types—renovation and new construction; teaching labs and research labs; and single labs to entire lab buildings.

The reasons for and benefits of adopting STEP have become increasingly clear as both national and international communities continue in their efforts to transition from dirty fuel sources to renewable ones. This course reviews the various systems and strategies that enable STEP, such as smart grids and microgrids, and explores strategies that STEP enables, such as integrated design processes, efficient water management, and energy innovation.

Specifiers, owners, and installers of commercial roofing systems face unprecedented obstacles in today’s business environment. Shortages and disruptions in the supply chain combined with a shrinking labor force have created uncertainty, inflation, and scheduling challenges for all projects. Despite these adverse conditions, opportunities exist to reevaluate and choose roofing materials and installation methods for successful project fulfillment within predictable time frames, allowing for the installation of a safe and energy-efficient roofing system on time.

Professional sports stadiums form large complexes with enormous impacts on the environment and local communities. Owners, architects, and operations managers can use this influence to generate a net positive effect on people, the natural environment, and the bottom line. In this video, the executives and consultants involved in the design and daily operation of Gillette Stadium and Mercedes-Benz Stadium discuss the challenges and opportunities of sustainable stadium design. Topics discussed include district energy generation, gray water treatment, evaluation and implementation of new technologies, partnering with local utilities, cost recovery, profitability, and community health.

Energy creation, distribution, and consumption are all in a period of transition. Understanding this transition and its benefits is critical to sustainable transitional energy planning (STEP). This course reviews the nature of the transition, the forces driving it, emerging energy systems and sources, and international and national examples. It details the process required for STEP and provides a comprehensive overview of the many renewable energy options now viable for community energy systems. It concludes with a series of illustrated sample plans and projects.

Simultaneously improving indoor air quality (IAQ), decarbonizing buildings, and increasing resilience to outdoor pollutants has been extremely challenging because alternatives to conditioning large volumes of outside air to improve IAQ are not well understood. This course aims to change that by introducing a four-step Clean First framework for sustainable IAQ. This framework achieves better indoor air quality and energy efficiency with improved resilience to outside air pollutants. The course also provides recommendations for implementing a Clean First framework.

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.