Continuing Education

Category: WOOD, PLASTICS, AND COMPOSITES

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Displaying 26 - 50 of 62 results.

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  • Bamboo is a versatile building material that brings warmth and character to indoor applications such as flooring, furniture, and wall and ceiling panels; an innovative process also allows bamboo to be used outdoors in decks, soffits, and siding. This course reviews the material technologies that make bamboo products with reduced environmental impacts and better performance than traditional materials and discusses their potential to meet requirements of the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • High-performance coatings are a necessity when it comes to protecting building exteriors and restoring them after harsh weathering and UV degradation; the right coatings prolong a building exterior’s life span and divert materials from landfills. New PVDF coating systems provide superior protection while satisfying aesthetic and environmental considerations. Their various characteristics and benefits are explored, and application methods are discussed.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Redwood Timbers are a safe, strong, and sustainable option for exterior and interior building projects where natural wood is desired. This course provides an overview of the properties of Redwood Timbers including insulation properties, grades, dimensions, fasteners, finishing options, and strength. It concludes with numerous case studies exploring the use of Redwood Timbers for post and beam construction, decorative elements, deck posts, and outdoor living structures.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Life-safety systems encompass both passive fire-protection features, like compartmentation and firestopping, and active ones, such as sprinklers and alarms. Portable fire extinguishers are an integral part of life-safety systems and must meet code-mandated number and placement requirements in most building types. This course looks at how fire extinguishers can be stored safely and securely in cabinets and addresses specification considerations. Also reviewed are the many options available to customize fire extinguisher cabinets so they are tailored to each project’s needs and design goals.

             

     This course contains accessible design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • In applications where wood may be exposed to moisture, insects, or fungal organisms, preservative-treated wood can ensure a project’s durability. This course reviews: the manufacturing process for pressure-treated wood; types of preservative treatments and the required levels of retention as dictated by the end-use application, desired service life, and exposure conditions; American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Use Category standards; current issues concerning preserved wood in residential and commercial construction; and Best Management Practices (BMPs) for aquatic uses.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • While natural wood has traditionally been viewed as an ideal material for decking boards and tiles, wood-plastic composite (WPC) has emerged as a durable, easy-to-maintain, and sustainable alternative. This course provides insights into the advantages of composite decking, especially fully capped products, and explores topics including its environmental benefits; contribution to occupant wellness and safety; resistance to fading, staining, and other potential defects that decking experiences; various applications; and attractive aesthetics.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • The green building movement has been fueled by a variety of factors, including effects on the environment and human health. This course looks closely at high-pressure laminate (HPL), which covers horizontal and vertical surfaces in many different types of commercial, institutional, and residential buildings. As part of a variety of other products, such as cabinetry, countertops, wall coverings, and furnishings, it can contribute directly to sustainable building design solutions. HPL products can be specified that meet accepted standards for minimizing or reducing environmental and health impacts. All these can be documented to assist in green building certification programs such as LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2 (WELL v2™), and others.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of designing with cellular PVC trim, including a discussion on the installation guidelines and manufacturing processes.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Kitchens have evolved, and so has the role of refrigeration in the home; there are a variety of factors that are contributing to this change. This course examines the social, economic, and demographic trends that are stimulating the reimagining of the kitchen space. The latest trends in kitchen design are discussed as is the role of modular refrigeration—a key design element in the creation of functional spaces that reflect the changing domestic landscape.

             

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • 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.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Mouldings and trim occupy a small amount of space on a home’s exterior; however, their aesthetic value outweighs their size. Cellular PVC mouldings and trim are durable; stain, rot, and insect resistant; maintenance-free; and recyclable. For properly arranged exterior mouldings and trim, architects and designers need a thorough understanding of the materials and the design rules and functions for each location. This course takes the reader through the layout and installation of exterior mouldings, particularly cellular PVC, and looks at some common mistakes and solutions.

             

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Bamboo is a versatile, strong material with a warm aesthetic that suits an array of interior design styles. This course looks at how bamboo is sustainably sourced to produce low-VOC products such as flooring, cladding, and three-ply architectural wall and ceiling panels. Project examples highlight a CNC routing method that produces panels with eye-catching patterns of varying depths and levels of intricacy. The course also examines how bamboo products may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction rating systems and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Homeowners are looking for alternatives to traditional cladding materials that are affordable and long lasting and require little or no upkeep. Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques mean cellular PVC cladding products can meet all these requirements without sacrificing aesthetics. This course reviews the benefits of cellular PVC as a cladding material and discusses how cellular PVC rebutted and rejointed (R&R) prefinished shingles can provide the look and feel of wood shingles with an extended level of durability and low maintenance.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Throughout history, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure that the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with efficiency in the application that is expected in today's world of design. This course covers the creation of GFRC, its components, fabrication, applications, and design capabilities. It compares GFRC to other types of architectural concrete and presents GFRC performance and sustainable design advantages.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.


  • 1 hour   

    Designing a structure that is resilient requires a strong understanding of material and building science. This course discusses the composition, performance, and application of engineered polymer siding and trim and capped polymer cladding to illustrate the benefits to home and building owners when construction materials are selected with resilience and sustainability in mind.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • In today’s building designs, considering the environmental impact of construction projects is of utmost importance. As a result, factors such as durability, installation speed, cost reduction, and long-term value have become crucial aspects of building designs. This course addresses these concerns in the context of nonresidential building renovations, focusing specifically on using state-of-the-art acoustical ceiling coatings as an alternative to removal and replacement with new materials. The course also examines how acoustical ceiling coatings may apply to several credits and features in the LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Designers, architects, and general contractors are finding innovative ways to use various types of commercial printed graphics to creatively enrich the aesthetics of buildings, promote company branding, and provide signage and wayfinding. This course discusses the uses, applications, materials, installation, and printer options of graphics designed to enhance commercial interior and exterior spaces.

             

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Western red cedar's (WRC) aesthetic, economic, and environmental benefits are just some of the reasons why builders and designers are increasingly gravitating to this species of wood. Presented here are modern, historical, and cultural uses of western red cedar, as well as its performance characteristics, grade specification, and finishes. Also discussed are sustainable forest management practices and certification agencies, and how sustainably sourced wood can contribute to LEED® credits.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Alaska yellow cedar (AYC) is one of the most visibly unique woods available to builders, architects, and homeowners. It is sustainable and rot resistant and has a natural beauty that requires very little staining or finishing. AYC is popular for exterior and interior residential applications, such as decking, landscaping features, shakes and shingles, paneling, mass timbers, and beams. This course examines the performance characteristics of AYC, including fire resistance and durability, and various applications are also discussed.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Natural and artificial lighting surrounds us at all times. Light helps us to work safely, enhances design, creates atmosphere, and influences our well-being. This course discusses the circadian rhythm, occupant health, and lighting color temperature, and it examines LED lighting requirements and options for lighting-integrated bathroom mirrors and cabinets.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Well-designed, well-maintained outdoor decks and siding can add utility, pleasure, and value to every home and business. If poorly maintained, they can diminish all those attributes. This course explains the optimized advantages of ultra-low-maintenance composite decking and siding boards. Composite boards are formulated and manufactured in an environmentally beneficial manner and virtually eliminate maintenance and aging concerns. Their usage results in strong, safe, moisture- and insect-resistant, aesthetically appealing decking and siding projects in all contexts.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • For some applications, building codes provide for the use of fire-retardant-treated (FR) wood products as an alternative to noncombustible materials. To ensure that FR wood products are properly specified, it is important to understand how these products are made, their formulations, and the building code references that guide their use in construction. This course offers a review of FR wood products, including their manufacture, the applications and types of fire retardants that are available, and the factors that must be considered to ensure FR wood products are properly specified for code compliance.

             

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • There is no substitute for the natural beauty of newly installed tropical hardwood, but keeping it looking great and achieving the desired performance over time require careful attention to detail. Choosing the best hardwood species and specifying the appropriate fastening and finishing systems will ensure an aesthetically pleasing, low-maintenance, and successful design in terms of installation, performance, and appearance. This course discusses wood species specification, installation techniques, and finishing methods for tropical hardwoods in conventional and sustainable buildings. As well, international programs that are used to successfully determine sustainability are examined.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Incorporating sustainable building materials into design practices is essential for creating environmentally responsible, healthy, and resilient built environments. Thermal modification is a tested and proven chemical-free process for increasing the dimensional stability and long-term performance of wood while preserving its natural beauty. Presented are the thermal modification process, the attributes, applications, and favorable environmental impacts of thermally modified wood, and how thermally modified wood can contribute to achieving certification in LEED® v4.1 Building Design and Construction and Interior Design and Construction, Sustainable SITES Initiative® v2, the WELL Building Standard™ version 2, and the Living Building Challenge (LBC).

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

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

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

  • Mass timber is a construction methodology that effectively integrates environmental responsibility, improved building performance, and the many benefits of off-site construction. This course provides an overview of recent and rapid advancements in this field and reviews mass timber components and the various framing approaches that can be utilized. It focuses on the metal connectors and fasteners that enable the system to function solidly and elegantly.

             

     This course contains sustainable design information. See the course details page for more information.

     This course is ONLINE: SELF-PACED. Experience it on your own schedule, at your convenience.

Displaying 26 - 50 of 62 results.

FIRST PREV [1-25] [26-50] [51-62] NEXT LAST SHOW ALL