1 hour

Provides an overview of cellular PVC for moldings and trim, with a focus on how to install and maintain the material for window surrounds.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of recycled HDPE plastic lumber and includes discussions on manufacturing processes, comparisons to wood lumber and wood/plastic composite lumber, and the composition and construction of different types of recycled HDPE plastic lumber as well as their performance attributes and applications.

 1.0 hour

Water is not only a vital resource but an essential element of life that entertains, attracts and soothes. It is also something that needs to be used with care and conserved. This course discusses how to balance the desire for water features in and around our buildings with the need to design sustainably. It will review energy, water and space conservation techniques and illustrate them with case studies of water features from around the world.

 1.5 hour

Daylighting systems provide a sustainable and environmentally conscious solution for building illumination. Daylighting however, is not just about letting in as much light as possible. Instead, it is an intentional and controlled introduction of natural light into a space. This course provides an overview of the benefits and applications of successful daylighting systems with a focus on the characteristics of high-performance translucent technologies, including removable glazing/skin options and two-panel systems. Also included is a discussion on meeting today’s strict code requirements with daylighting technology.

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

 2 hour

Provides an overview of one-piece shower bases and accessories and includes discussions on methods of waterproofing shower floors and walls, shower design, and installation and tiling guidelines for shower pans and accessories.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of ADA-compliant design requirements for shower compartments and lavatory tops using solid surface materials - from planning and design to installation.

 1.0 hour

Lack of secure bicycle parking and storage is one of the top barriers to increased bicycle ridership. However, there is much more to selecting functional and appropriate bike storage than installing a few racks at the building sidewalk. This course examines best practices for bicycle racks and shelters for indoor and outdoor bicycle parking and storage, including typical municipal guidelines and regulations, incentives, guidance on shelters, and rack planning and design.

 1 hour

An entryway not only creates a first impression of a building, it is expected to provide a safe, dry, and clean surface for foot and wheeled traffic entering and exiting the facility. This course discusses the design of entryway flooring systems, identifies the options available, and explains their role as the first line of defense in protecting a building’s interior floors and indoor environmental quality.

 1.0 hour

Sound abatement products are not just a building owner and occupant preference; minimum sound abatement ratings are required by many local building codes for multi-story residential, commercial, and multi-purpose buildings. Following an introduction to the basics of sound, this course presents a summary of the most common sound control methods, with a focus on the options available for floor underlayment.

 1 hour

Composite decking reflects the beauty of natural and exotic hardwood and offers many advantages over wood decking. This course discusses the features, installation practices, applications, and environmental benefits of using wood/plastic composite and PVC decking materials for residential and commercial design projects.

 1 hour

Artificial turf is essentially a flooring fabric made from a variety of materials and layers. Since its creation, the artificial turf industry has studied the behavior of natural grass and the safety and sustainability of artificial grass. This course examines today’s artificial grass systems and discusses how they are carefully planned, designed, and built to suit the specific needs of an outdoor residential or commercial landscape.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of incorporating indoor water features in a variety of architectural applications, with a focus on system components and types of water features, as well as considerations for a successful installation.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of different types of heat bathing: sauna, infrared, and steam, with a focus on how to both select a product and implement heat bathing in residential and commercial projects.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of display walls using LED technology, with discussions of the components, performance, lifespan, and energy benefits of LED tiles.

 1 hour

Cement board is a lightweight, rigid substrate that provides an exceptionally hard, durable surface that is able to withstand prolonged exposure to moisture. This course addresses cement backer board, its features and benefits, and versatile interior and exterior applications, including Cement Board Stucco Systems (CBSS) and Cement Board Masonry Veneer (CBMV). The program reviews CBSS and CBMV components and performance benefits.

 1 hour

While the bathroom was once a strictly utilitarian space, a growing trend among luxury consumers is to create a custom, spa-like retreat right in the home. Surveys find that luxury consumers value functional and design excellence, uniqueness that reflects a creative side, and exceptional quality and value. This course examines the shower products available that help to create a personalized, multi-sensory experience with beautifully designed pieces that meet water efficiency standards.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of evolving green/energy codes and their impact on the specification of aluminum extrusion-based building components; presents alternative thermal management technologies and illustrates how aluminum extrusions can contribute to “green” commercial structures. Note: This course is not intended to be a primer on aluminum extrusions. Basic information about extrusions and the extrusion process can be found in the course “Aluminum Extrusions.”

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

 1 hour

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.

 1 hour

Bollards are a cost effective means of protecting people and infrastructure from damage and injury. This course examines rebounding bollards and includes discussions on the various types of bollards, the benefits of using rebounding bollards in various applications, the components of bollards, and design considerations.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of acoustics and building construction techniques for sound attenuation with a focus on the use of resilient sound isolation clips.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of insulated metal panels as barrier wall within rainscreen wall systems, their performance benefits and contribution to energy efficiency.

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

 1 hour

Buildings need protection from cyber as well as physical threats. Building shielding offers several architectural solutions that contribute to the security of both building occupants and wireless systems. These solutions also help reduce unwanted solar heat and glare while providing protection from the elements and people. This course presents the security and performance benefits of shielding technology that can improve wireless performance, energy efficiency, and occupant comfort, satisfaction, and safety.

 1 hour

Provides an overview of Insulated Metal Panel (IMP) systems in terms of their performance characteristics, profiles, testing/approval requirements, along with the design and installation considerations that are required to facilitate a successful installation.

 1.0 hour

Low Impact Development (LID) has several advantages over traditional stormwater management approaches. Since impervious pavement is the main source of stormwater runoff, LID strategies recommend permeable paving for hard surfaces. The course discusses LID, its goals and principles and how they are achieved. It provides an overview of permeable pavements, and more particularly, plastic permeable grid paver systems and how they support LID goals.

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

 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

Building owners value daylighting and views, but face security and safety challenges with large amounts of glazing. Polycarbonate sheet products offer a variety of glazing solutions that resist security threats while providing transparency, strength, and durability. This course introduces the grades and characteristics of polycarbonate sheet products, and discusses how they meet the requirements for protection against forced entry, ballistics, and blasts.