1 hour

Provides an overview of the performance characteristics, fabrication techniques, and manufacturing processes of High Pressure Decorative Laminate (HPDL) which make it a sustainable decorative surfacing solution for commercial and residential applications.

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

 1.0 hour

There is a growing demand for affordable, sustainable, low-maintenance alternatives to wood trim and exterior products. Cellular PVC products offer an array of options and profiles, and deliver the benefits of wood but with a longer life and lower maintenance requirements. This course presents the applications, manufacturing, proper installation, painting, and advantages of cellular PVC trim products.

 1 hour

This course is designed to help the architect or designer better understand the benefits and special considerations for and of using Hybrid and other composite materials in construction.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of the performance characteristics, fabrication techniques, and manufacturing processes of High Pressure Decorative Laminate (HPDL) which make it a sustainable decorative surfacing solution for commercial and residential applications.

 1 hour

Through sustainable management, the forests of New England have had a remarkable comeback since the 1830s, with eastern white pine being the most represented softwood in these forests. This light yet strong wood species has been used for generations and today, meets the requirements of a renewable and sustainable building material. This course reviews eastern white pine’s contribution to sustainability, its grading rules, wood products, and many applications.

 1 hour

Addresses the history of laminates, how laminate is made, the varying types of laminate, as well as their characteristics and performance attributes. Discover how textures can customize design based on need. Test procedures and industry standards will be defined.

 1 hour

The design of the common modular kitchen has, for almost a century, remained largely unchanged. Veering away from its basic conceptual arrangement, this course presents a discussion on the use of quartz surfacing in innovative kitchen design concepts that are created with optimal functionality in mind. Also reviewed are the characteristics, performance benefits, and application possibilities of quartz surfacing.

 1 hour

Laboratory design is evolving and must respond to changing technologies and adapt to the needs of researchers. This course examines what is driving current trends in laboratory design, and how laboratory furnishings must perform to satisfy these trends. Particular attention is paid to laboratory work surfaces, the types of testing they undergo, and their performance characteristics.

 1 hour

Synthetic roofing materials have been available in the market for more than a decade, providing a cost-effective, viable alternative to traditional slate and shake roofing systems. This course provides an overview of the features and benefits of slate and shake synthetic roofing products, including a discussion on the testing methods used to rate specific performance characteristics.

 1 hour

This course defines TFL panel and HPL products and how they are made. It explains the performance differences between TFL and HPL and the implications of those variations. The course provides guidance on appropriate uses of each product. Lastly, the course discusses the importance of the quality of match between HPL, TFL and edgebanding.

 1.0 hour

Insulated vinyl siding, known as insulated siding, is an exterior cladding that combines the protection and low maintenance of traditional vinyl siding with the energy efficiency of EPS foam. The composite results in an improvement in performance and aesthetics. This course discusses the benefits associated with installing insulated siding on new and renovation residential construction projects, and the range of architectural styles that can be achieved with the breadth of design and color options available.

 1 hour

This course considers the design of energy-efficient buildings, which must include an effective, lasting, moisture-management strategy. Moisture management is essential to resilient, sustainable, healthy buildings.

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

 1 hour

Provides an overview of the advantages of using glass mat shaftliner panels for firewall assemblies in multi-story, multi-family housing, and covers the installation procedures and special conditions.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of the characteristics of 100% Acrylic Solid Surface compared to other surface materials and the driving factors that contribute to its growing role in sustainable design strategies. Also discussed are the manufacturing, fabricating, and thermoformable processes of 100% Acrylic Solid Surface and the related green standards and certification programs.

 1 hour

Discusses the process of wood acetylation, the resulting changes to wood, applications for this product, its green credentials and a number of case studies involving acetylated wood.

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

 1.5 hour

The popularity of bamboo products has soared due to their desirable aesthetic and unique, eco-friendly attributes. This course covers an overview of the history, uses, characteristics, and specification considerations of bamboo, including a discussion of the health advantages and green benefits of designing with bamboo products.

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

 1 hour

Provides an overview of engineered stone, with a focus on the process of designing with the material and descriptions of how engineered stone makes an appropriate, attractive, cost-effective, and sustainable design choice.

 1 hour

With the myriad of water-resistive barrier options available, determining the most suitable product for a project can be challenging. This course discusses water-resistive barriers, their history, types, and suitable applications. The features and benefits of manufactured rainscreens and drainable housewraps are examined, along with best practices for design and installation.

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

 1 hour

Provides an overview of the performance characteristics and benefits of using multi-layer, cellular PVC decking–a durable decking material that replicates the unique beauty of exotic hardwood.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of polyfiber wood plastic composite material for doorframes, including its benefits over traditional doorframe materials and available design options, as well as its place as part of a complete moisture- and insect-resistant entryway.

 1.0 hour

Designing an efficient building envelope includes the complex task of locating all the necessary control layers in relation to each other. In some situations combining a number of these layers simplifies the task. This course explores combined water-resistive barrier (WRB) and air barrier (AB) sheathing systems, their functions, relevant codes and standards, types available, and how they compare to traditional water and air barrier systems.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of the history of solid surface as a decorative material with a discussion on product characteristics and attributes, and a comparison of sustainability factors of three hard surface materials and their environmental impact.

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

 1 hour

Provides an overview of antimicrobial additives that help protect products from degradation caused by microbes, with discussions on types of microorganisms and the array of products that can benefit from antimicrobials.

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

 1.0 hour

Surface design and color impacts people in one way or another. Why do some surroundings induce a sense of calm, happiness, or inspiration while others offer nothing but distraction, discomfort, chaos, doom, and gloom? Interior surfaces are the point of contact between users and their environment, as well as an important connection between the visual world and physical world. This course will examine the integral role that surface color and design plays in interior spaces. Key requirements in the selection and specification process will also be discussed.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of gypsum wallboard manufacturing, a review of the Gypsum Association's recommended levels of finish and examples of writing specification of levels of finish.

 1 hour

As they were many centuries ago, shutters today are used for light control, ventilation, and protection. Selecting the appropriate shutter to meet any of these needs means an understanding of materials, functional types and hardware. In this course, we’ll discuss the wide range of shutter types available, and also installation techniques and specifying