Provides an overview of perforated metal, including its history, applications, specifying standard and custom perforated metal, along with a discussion on how it is used to sculpt light, control sound, and compose views.

Railing systems perform various functions, meeting safety requirements and serving as a key component of a building’s aesthetic. This course includes a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of aluminum and structural vinyl railing systems, how they are made, and how they are used in the building industry, including a detailed summary of how they meet various code requirements.

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

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.

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.

Wine is a critical element of entertaining and culinary experiences, and modern wine cellars help make bottle collections part of engaging, artistic focal points in restaurants and homes throughout the world. This course focuses on the evolution of the wine cellar, from refrigeration to modern materials and display systems. It defines passive and active (cooled) storage, and identifies key considerations when building a wine cellar.

Aluminum composite material (ACM) is a lightweight composite material consisting of two sheets of aluminum facings thermobonded to a polyethylene core or to a fire retardant core. It is used for exterior as well as interior applications for architectural cladding, interiors, and signage applications in new and existing buildings around the world. This course discusses the versatility, sustainability, and functionality of ACM by examining common design, testing, and manufacturing techniques and evaluating different types of ACM systems, finishes, and coatings.

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

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.

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.

Lightweight, pre-finished, and factory-fabricated insulated metal panels (IMPs) offer building owners a cost-efficient and easy-to-install roofing system that provides an air barrier, vapor barrier, and insulation all in one product. This course discusses the characteristics of IMPs and the installation process, and explains why IMPs are ideally suited for pre-engineered and structural steel buildings. The role of IMPs in a building’s hygrothermal control layers and IMP code compliance are reviewed.

The use of sustainable materials and products during building design will become the standard within the construction industry, and environmental product declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) help architects and owners make informed decisions for their projects. Insulated metal panels— a prime example of a sustainable product—are one of the most cost-effective solutions to reduce energy and greenhouse gases.

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

Metal composite panels deliver a clean and elegant aesthetic while acting as a rain screen or barrier wall. These panels can be produced in two different manners which affect their performance and applicability. This course will review metal composite panels, their methods of manufacture, performance capabilities and methods of installation.

Safe and effective traffic control is a necessity for a variety of facilities and locations, both commercial and residential. This course reviews options for traffic and parking control, both manually-activated and motorized traffic spike systems. Discussions include advantages, key features, safety requirements, and installation information.

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

Aesthetics and performance are key considerations for architectural metal finishes. This course addresses aluminum extrusion coatings and includes discussions on the aluminum extrusion process; a comparison of powder and liquid coatings; an overview of the chrome and the chrome-free pretreatment processes; and, the performance objectives of AAMA testing standards.

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

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.

A highly efficient building envelope should meet the most demanding performance requirements and contribute to LEED® credits and net zero energy targets. Presented here are the features and performance benefits of insulated metal panels (IMPs). The course provides an in-depth look at a generic IMP EPD, discusses new LEED® v4 contributions, and outlines how IMPs meet the strict energy performance requirements of current codes and standards.

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

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.

Ventilation grilles influence HVAC system performance, but can pose aesthetic challenges for designers. Custom grilles made with modern fabrication techniques employ a variety of materials and finishes, to create solutions that enhance and fully integrate with architectural interiors. This course will discuss the basic mechanics of effective air distribution in buildings, performance characteristics of grilles, grille types, and custom design options.

The term “post-frame building system” refers to a building erected with structural frames of wood posts as columns and trusses or rafters for roof framing. Post-frame buildings are engineered for site and building requirements and through proper design and quality materials, they can be constructed to be as strong as a steel-frame building. This course covers the attributes, construction methods, materials, of post-frame building systems and their applications for low-rise commercial buildings.

The demand for high-performance, durable, energy-efficient buildings has led to building envelope designs that incorporate greater amounts of combustible material in cladding, insulation, and weather-resistive barriers. Understanding how to meet both sustainability challenges and code requirements can be a complex and confusing process. Beginning with the history of NFPA 285, this course presents an overview of the test method and fire code in relation to various building envelope materials, with particular attention given to metal composite materials ( MCMs).

Insulated metal panels (IMPs) can be the right choice to deliver the excellent thermal capabilities and performance that architects, designers, and building owners demand. This course provides a review of Insulated Metal Panel systems in terms of their performance characteristics, profiles, and testing/approval requirements, along with the design and installation considerations that are required to facilitate a successful installation.

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.

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.

This course examines the required considerations for successful green facade installations and projects and includes discussions on system selection, design, plant selection, maintenance, and client/owner education.

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

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.

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.