Masonry wall types have evolved from self-supporting mass walls to cavity walls and veneers that require wall ties or anchors. Over time, anchors can fail and masonry wall systems can become unstable and require repair. This course discusses how to recognize unstable façades, how retrofit anchors can be used to repair these instabilities, the different types of anchors available, and how to determine the proper repair procedure.

This recorded webinar is the fourth of five sessions presented during the Building Science Master Summit held by DuPont Performance Building Solutions. This course covers approaches to high-performance commercial wall system design, analysis tools, and the pros and cons of different barrier options so you can make the most informed design decisions for your job. We’ll also take a look at current code requirements and testing specifications.

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

An expansion joint is a structural gap designed to accommodate the movement of a building in a controlled manner, preventing damage to the building’s internal and external finishes. Expansion joints run throughout a building in walls, ceilings, and floors. Expansion joint covers provide a covered transition across an expansion opening and remain unaffected by the relative movement of the two surfaces either side of the joint. This course explains how to determine joint movement requirements and how to size a joint. It also discusses the performance of different expansion joint cover systems and the applicable fire protection and building codes.

A vapor/gas barrier is one of the most economical yet essential components of a home or commercial building in preventing moisture- and gas-related problems and ensuring healthy indoor air quality. This course reviews the critical properties that require consideration when specifying underslab vapor barriers and gas/moisture barriers and includes discussions on the basic installation guidelines to help ensure a successful installation.

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

Leading aluminum extrusion manufacturers have established a variety of methods pertaining to material grade, surface protection, and component solutions to maximize the benefits of aluminum to suit a wide variety of applications. These advancements in technology have led to the development of sustainable wood-patterned aluminum products designed for exterior and interior applications. This course focuses on how these products can be used as a beautiful, high-performance, durable alternative for real wood in a range of applications, including screens, facades, decking, fencing, gates, cladding, and more.

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

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.

The surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.

Today’s modern metal roof panel coatings are designed to be low friction in order to self-clean. However, when snow and ice accumulate on the roof, their rapid release causes countless personal injuries, millions of dollars in property damage and liability claims, and business disruptions worldwide. This course provides an overview of snow retention systems that protect against these dangers. Information about components of both pad and bar styles, features, installation, and layout are presented.

Various control strategies are used to prevent rain from penetrating a building envelope and entering a building assembly. This course compares exterior wall metal cladding systems and takes an in-depth look at the design options, testing, specifications, environmental implications, and the detailing of single-skin metal panel systems as used in a pressure-equalized rainscreen (PER) application.

With the increasing prominence of glass in new buildings and retrofits, the use of window film can raise the style, performance, and safety of today’s building projects. This course examines the use of various types of window film (decorative, solar control, and safety/security) and their role in improving occupant comfort and safety, lowering energy costs, and enhancing privacy.

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

Penetrations of the WRB are unavoidable, but it is critical to ensure that they remain watertight. The recommendations for sealing these penetrations are often based on unrelated test methods, such as those for nail penetrations in roofing membranes, or on anecdotal evidence. This course covers a data-driven method used to determine which type of flashing and sealing solution is best to ensure watertightness after cladding attachments are installed over polyisocyanurate insulating sheathing. Also discussed is information on how other single-layer insulating sheathing systems allow for watertightness of the assembly after cladding attachment.

Dumpsters, concrete dividing walls, and rooftop HVAC equipment are commonplace in today's commercial industries. Unfortunately, these items are necessary but unsightly. However, dumpster enclosures, wall screens, and unit-attached rooftop HVAC screens can help building owners enhance aesthetics and meet code requirements. This course examines the various types of ground-level screens including enclosures, walls screens, and trellis systems and offers an in-depth discussion of HVAC equipment and unit-attached rooftop screening systems. Different installation techniques and comparative characteristics of traditional roof-mounted screening methods versus unit-attached screening methods are also discussed.

Main entrance air curtains are used by architects and engineers in commercial, institutional, and industrial settings to both improve energy efficiency and protect occupant comfort and well-being. This course reviews the research that led to air curtains being approved as an alternative to vestibules in ASHRAE 90.1-2019 and other building codes, as well as how air curtains on main entries contribute to sustainability goals around energy conservation, public health, and indoor air quality.

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

There is no single waterproofing system that is best for all, or even most, waterproofing applications. This course evaluates common waterproofing product types and technologies and provides specification tips with an emphasis on quality assurance.

Fire is a threat that, as designers, you need to consider and design for. Commonly used building materials lose strength when exposed to fire, and so the need to protect the health and safety of occupants through fireproofing is essential. This course looks at fireproofing standards, testing, and the application of a variety of products to meet the fireproofing requirements of your designs.

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

Roofing technologies have come a long way from labor-intensive BUR systems that achieved watertightness through redundancy. Today’s single-ply membranes are thin, light, and reliable, and installation is safe and efficient. This course focuses on thermoplastic single-plies, particularly those that are PVC based, and explores their benefits and limitations as well as the important factors to consider when selecting a roof system, ranging from fastening techniques to warranties to sustainability.

Modular metal panel (MMP) wall systems allow for an array of different exterior and interior building designs due to their wide range of panel sizes, planes, and layout configurations. This course covers the attributes of MMPs, including the available substrates, their fabrication and ease of installation, and their ability to deliver a simple, constructible concealed-fastener rainscreen system.

In today’s high-performance building market, specifying materials that work together as a complete wall system is more critical than ever. Systems can help designers meet new energy codes, reduce costs, and improve building function and sustainability while making the design process faster and simpler. Focusing on the most common exterior wall system, steel stud with masonry veneer, this course details key system components, recent advances in building analysis, code requirements, and a comprehensive systems approach.

Insulating concrete form (ICF) products use a cost-effective and robust structural material option (reinforced concrete) to turn a building envelope into a high-performing thermal, moisture, and air enclosure with disaster resistance and built-in compliance with energy code requirements. As a result of ICF performance, building owners can complete a whole structure with ICFs and reinforced concrete, including intermediate suspended floors, rooftops, and multistory designs. This course examines the advancements in ICF technology and discusses the potential contribution of ICFs to supporting improved sustainability and resilience.

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

Learners will receive information about cast stone and how it is made, testing requirements, applications, design recommendations, and how it differs from related materials. Learners will describe appropriate specification, design details of cast stone for architectural applications, and how to determine quality cast stone production.

There are a multitude of building envelope products used and a variety of methods taken for achieving energy and building code requirements. Understanding the different roles a product plays in the envelope simplifies its design. In this course, we take a look at the code requirements for buildings classified as IBC Types I–IV, paths to achieving compliance, and the number of roles polyisocyanurate insulation plays in meeting these requirements.

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

As part of a well-designed rainscreen system, single-skin metal panels offer unique aesthetic options combined with the assurance that the building envelope will withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course compares common cladding types; presents single-skin metal panel materials, coatings, finishes, and design options; and examines using single-skin metal panels with a single-component barrier wall to form a complete rainscreen assembly.

This course is one of three identical courses titled Single-Skin Metal Panel Building Envelope Solutions. You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.

Designing to accommodate thermal movement is just one of the many critical details for the long-term success of a metal roof installation. This course covers the design and specification considerations and architectural details that impact project requirements, as well as the components and the energy-efficient features of metal roofing assemblies.

Masonry is an ideal sustainable building construction material as it is extremely durable, recyclable, and reusable. It allows for extraordinary design versatility, so it can meet both aesthetic and functional requirements. This course looks at the design elements, components, and construction techniques that characterize sustainable masonry cavity wall building envelopes.

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

Although built-up roofs are the oldest type of low-slope roofing systems, gaining an understanding of the advantages and characteristics of modified bitumen membranes will help you select the asphalt roofing system that improves performance and saves on installation costs over traditional asphalt roofs. Learn how “mod bit” roofs, whether APP or SBS, provide improved durability with stronger reinforcements, resist hail and traffic damage, and provide factory-controlled quality manufacturing.