Sound transmission control is an issue that should be addressed in the design of any building. Acoustic comfort is part of providing an amenable interior space, and it requires having the proper level and quality of sound to utilize a space as planned. This course looks at the components, features, and the role of acoustic door assemblies in occupant comfort in both workplace and school environments.

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

While aluminum frames allow large glazed areas to maximize daylighting for energy savings and health benefits, aluminum is also a highly conductive material. This course explores how thermal barriers and high performance glazing serve as a solution to aluminum’s conductive properties, to help achieve daylighting and thermal efficiencies in the commercial building envelope.

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

While providing fresh air intake and exhaust, reducing noise, and keeping out unwanted water and debris, louvers can also provide architectural style to a building design. This course discusses the aesthetics and weather resistance features of a variety of louver designs from the basic to the extreme. A discussion about the industry standards and test protocol for louver performance is included.

Incorporating bulletproof glass into any facility is a sizable investment; however, it is a small price to pay for the protection of human lives. This course illustrates how to maximize that investment by selecting and installing the appropriate system for the threat level and the functional needs of the client. Discussed are UL protection level ratings; types of bullet-resistant barrier systems and their components; planning, production, and installation of systems; security window film vs. bullet-resistant glass; and project security checklists.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Louvers are an essential part of every HVAC system but their selection and sizing is often misunderstood or overlooked. In this course we’ll take a thorough look at louver components, types, options, and accessories and appropriate selection and proper sizing of louvers for a variety of climates, including WDR (wind-driven rain) and hurricane areas.

By design, automatic pedestrian doors provide easier, more convenient access than manual doors for a wide variety of building types, and their popularity in commercial design continues to grow. Reviewed in this course are the available options of automatic door solutions, including sliding, swinging, ICC/CCU, and revolving door systems. Also discussed are the code requirements and considerations relating to automatic doors for proper specification.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

More than ever before, homeowners are interested in creating the type of outdoor living space that will enhance their enjoyment—and the energy efficiency—of their homes. This course discusses how retractable screens offer sustainable design solutions for homeowners, architects, and builders. Subjects including screen components, insect and UV protection, and how retractable screens contribute to a home’s increased energy efficiency are discussed, and various case studies focusing on sustainability are examined.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Aluminum Full View (AFV) doors are a fast growing segment within the building product industry. They have a wide range of applications in a variety of building types. This course will look at potential applications and building types, options for installation, and custom options in design when specifying AFV doors.

The design of behavioral healthcare facilities should address the therapeutic and safety needs of patients and staff while meeting the applicable codes and regulations. Reviewed in this course are ligature-resistant products developed for patient rooms and bathrooms that strike the balance between providing the safest design solutions while creating a noninstitutional environment.

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.

Prerequisites:No

Course Level:Introductory

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...

Kiln-fired glass is a fine art form with many architectural and interior design applications. This course will explain how kiln-fired glass is produced, what the range of applications are, and how installations can meet architectural glass performance and safety requirements.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies to all state and local government agencies, commercial facilities, and public entities that have “places of public accommodation.” Presented in this course are the fundamentals of what accessibility means in terms of architectural door hardware specification. Topics include available hardware technology, the criteria for interior and perimeter access, and the codes and guidelines pertaining to the ADA requirements that affect door hardware selection.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Exterior shading devices offer a number of advantages that contribute to a more sustainable building, including minimizing cooling costs, reducing peak electricity demand, and controlling glare. These benefits result in greater occupant comfort and improved productivity. This course provides a review of exterior aluminum shading device systems, including the components, finishes, and design and engineering considerations, as well as a discussion of how shading strategies contribute to LEED® accreditation.

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

Window enhancements could be the most under-utilized energy saving technology. This course delves into the significant role that interior secondary window systems have in energy savings, efficiency, security, and comfort for existing buildings where window replacement is not desirable.

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

Automatic pedestrian doors offer convenient, easy access to and from a wide variety of building types. This course offers awareness of the diversified automatic door solutions available, including different types of automatic doors, components, options, and the process involved in selecting an appropriate automatic door for a specific project. Discussions also include the various sensor technologies available, as well as code requirements for automatic doors to ensure pedestrian safety.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory

Selecting energy-efficient fenestration products that promote comfort, daylighting and views, and natural ventilation while supporting environmental impact concerns can further discussions regarding resource efficiency, material manufacturing, waste reduction, and life-cycle impact. This course examines the attributes of thermally broken aluminum windows and doors and explains why they are energy-efficient, sustainable, fenestration products.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

 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.

Considering door hardware early in the design process enhances the aesthetics and functionality of a space. Invisible hinges balance durability, security, and ease of use without detracting from the design. This course examines standard invisible hinges as well as those for fire-rated and closer doors, and offers guidance on specification and installation. Case studies demonstrate the array of invisible hinge applications, and innovative door hardware solutions for powered entry and ADA compliance are presented.

Prerequisites: No

Course Level: Introductory

Commercial fenestration products including sectional doors, rolling sheet doors, and rolling steel doors can improve building performance and provide essential building/opening protection. This course discusses common door features, hardware, insulation, installation, and optional types of electric operators, and evaluates the performance criteria required for a specific dock or drive through opening.

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

Roof glazing products can positively affect building occupants by illuminating the interior of a space, providing views to the outside, and allowing for natural ventilation. There are many factors to be considered during the product selection process to ensure performance goals are realized. Presented in this course are roof window and skylight design and performance criteria, relevant building codes and standards, and types of roof windows and skylights and their features.

While aluminum frames allow large glazed areas to maximize daylighting for energy savings and health benefits, aluminum is also a highly conductive material. This course explores how thermal barriers and high performance glazing serve as a solution to aluminum’s conductive properties, to help achieve daylighting and thermal efficiencies in the commercial building envelope.

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

Exterior shading devices offer a number of advantages that contribute to a more sustainable building, including minimizing cooling costs, reducing peak electricity demand, and controlling glare. These benefits result in greater occupant comfort and improved productivity. This course provides a review of exterior aluminum shading device systems, including the components, finishes, and design and engineering considerations, as well as a discussion of how shading strategies contribute to LEED® accreditation.

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

The design of laser-cut steel, thermally broken windows and doors was fueled by the need to produce a steel window and door that would meet the ever increasingly stringent energy efficiency building codes of today and tomorrow, while not losing any of the “classic-timeless” aesthetics that steel windows and doors have become known for. This course examines the fabrication, thermal performance, and design and finish options of steel windows and doors.

Prerequisites: None

Course Level: Introductory