The key to an energy-efficient metal building is the implementation of a continuous insulation system that virtually eliminates thermal bridging and prevents condensation. This course discusses how using thermal spacer blocks and metal building insulation in the building envelope increases energy performance and meets stringent energy code requirements.

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

The surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application, and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

There is no blanket approach to warranties for metal panel roofing. It is a misconception that the standard warranty holds the manufacturer responsible for defects in installation. This course discusses three types of warranties typically seen in metal roof design specifications, and to show how warranties work, what is covered, and what is excluded, some of the key issues associated with the installation of metal panel roofing are presented.

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) provide a sustainable and energy-efficient insulation option for architects and building owners. These lightweight, durable, easy-to-install panels are an all-in-one product acting as insulation as well as an air and vapor barrier. This course explains how IMPs are an effective thermal barrier and discusses their application in new and retrofit construction. The performance criteria of IMPs are examined relative to current green building rating systems, and various case studies are discussed.

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

Demand for safety, energy efficiency, and contemporary aesthetics is driving building envelope design that incorporates increased amounts of combustible material in cladding, insulation, and water-resistive barriers. This course outlines the difference between insulated metal panels (IMPs) and metal composite material (MCM) panels, what IMPs are and their suitable applications, and building code and building envelope fire testing, and provides global case studies demonstrating the impact of IMPs on the building envelope after exposure to fire.

The architectural uses for perforated metal span a wide variety of interior and exterior applications for residential, industrial, and commercial projects. Reviewed in this course are the applications and the specification considerations of standard and custom perforated metal, along with a discussion on how it is used to sculpt light, control sound, and compose views.

Metal roofing and especially standing seam roofing (SSR) has a long history of top performance as well as a number of styles and uses. In order to take advantage of the benefits of SSR, it is necessary for each designer to choose, specify, and detail the correct product for every installation. This course explains the differences in application parameters, wind testing protocols, design details, and available warranties that can inform those choices and, in turn, lead to problem-free SSRs.

Falls are responsible for more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause of injury. Photoluminescent (PL) exit path markers have proven to provide safe and quick egress in all light conditions for occupants and fail-safe guidance to first responders entering unfamiliar surroundings in the event of an emergency. This course discusses the benefits of PL safety products and the codes and testing standards related to PL way-finding systems.

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

Selection of a material for a railing or fence project requires considering its long-term performance, maintenance, cost, and aesthetics. Regardless of the railing application (commercial, residential, or industrial), the coating process makes a difference to the life of the project. This course evaluates the different coating technologies available for steel railing and fence systems and discusses the factors to consider when selecting a coating for a steel railing and fence systems.

Long-span composite steel deck slabs blend the speed and versatility of steel construction with the performance and durability of concrete, enabling a holistic approach to space-efficient structural designs. They are engineered to reduce story height while maximizing ceiling height and address market-specific building requirements. This course reviews the design criteria for long-span composite steel deck slabs and shows how they can be designed to increase available space, enhance structural performance, and reduce total project costs.

Stairs are often a prominent feature or even the focal point of an architectural design project and play a vital role in creating an aesthetically pleasing interior atmosphere, or an exterior welcoming point to a residential, commercial, or industrial building. This course provides an overview of the many benefits of installing precast concrete stair treads and landings, how to detail and specify them, and how to address related building code, design, and construction requirements.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level:Introductory

With faster build speeds, superior environmental control performance, and exceptional design flexibility, insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer many advantages over other conventional building envelope systems. This course details these and other aspects of IMPs and why they can be considered the key component of “the perfect wall.”

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Provides an overview of the characteristics and architectural applications of perforated metal, expanded metal, and wire mesh products including descriptions of metal types and mechanical finishes.

There is a growing realization that the buildings we live and work in play an important role in the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Green building rating systems are starting to incorporate health and wellbeing criteria and this course will look specifically at how products and materials can help meet the health and wellbeing requirements across these systems.

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

Rusting is a natural process that occurs due to everyday environmental conditions, but it is both predictable and preventable. This course explains the importance of rust prevention and treatment, and includes discussions on the rusting process, surface preparation, coating types, and choosing appropriate coating systems.

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 here to view the details.

Provides an overview of gate and fencing systems which are both functional and decorative, and are designed to meet modern security and design requirements while harmonizing with the surrounding environment.

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

Provides an overview of walkable roof deck membranes and includes discussions on: system characteristics, components, and installation; moisture management: deflection and drainage; design considerations; and how to specify roof deck membrane systems.

With the ever-increasing focus on the sustainable built environment, building owners, architects, engineers, and contractors are incorporating structural steel into their designs. Presented here is a comprehensive view of the cradle-to-cradle structural steel supply chain from a sustainability perspective. Also discussed are steel production and design, steel’s potential contribution to LEED v4 credits, thermal capacity, and the environmental and life cycle benefits of prefabricated fireproof steel columns.

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

Bar and Plank Gratings are used for a wide range of applications. With the array of Grating products that are available on the market, the proper selection of a suitable solution requires an understanding of the specification considerations. This course provides a review of these considerations along with a discussion of the applications and terminology relating to Bar and Plank Grating products.

The materials we use have a significant impact on the environment, our communities, and our health. Consequently, material transparency—wherein manufacturers disclose vital sustainability information about their products—is an increasingly necessary element of modern life. This course examines the tools and resources that are available for both manufacturers and the A&D community that effectively communicate transparency information and optimization of building products. Also reviewed are the benefits of the new-generation insulated metal panels (IMPs) designed to achieve a trusted range of health and wellness certifications.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Today’s building professionals and owners share enthusiasm for building envelope performance. Building envelopes separate the building interior from the exterior environment. As such, they are exposed to a variety of environmental loads, including wind pressure, solar radiation, and rain. This course provides an overview of the major thermodynamic considerations for the proper construction of the building envelope with a focus on insulated metal panels (IMPs) that provide all four control layers (air, water, vapor, and thermal) in a single-component system.

While architects and designers have many choices for specifying dynamic architectural surfaces in their projects, the result of using photography in such applications has historically presented challenges. This course explores typical digital images used in glass installations, gigapixel photography, guidelines for glass transparency, and the impacts of luminosity and reflectivity. Finally, it looks at potential applications for gigapixel images in large- or small-scale architectural surfaces.

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 here to view the details.

In today’s high performance building market, specifying materials that work together as a complete wall system is more critical than ever. Systems can help designers meet new energy codes, reduce costs and improve building function and sustainability while making the design process faster and simpler. Focusing on the most common exterior wall system, steel stud with masonry veneer, this course will detail key system components, recent advances in building analysis, code requirements and a comprehensive systems approach.