Beyond aesthetics, ventilated façades and cladding systems provide added wind absorption, moisture protection, and insulation properties, resulting in prolonged building durability and sustainability that contributes to LEED points. In addition, these systems provide significant energy savings to building operations and noise reduction to increase occupant comfort. Learn about the top features and benefits of façade systems and how to select individual components based on environmental conditions, panel materials, and other factors. Gain understanding about how the mechanical and adhesive systems vary and overview the easy installation processes. Learn how adhesives absorb cyclical expansion and contraction due to environmental changes such as wind, temperature, and humidity. Within an hour, you'll have a solid understanding about ventilated façades/cladding systems' aesthetics, sustainability, and how they are built to last even under extreme conditions.

This course is aimed to define what exactly continuous insulation is, and the key benefits of using it. The course will also show participants how continuous insulation complies with building and energy code requirements within that field.

Key findings from a recent study conducted by AIA with support from Owens Corning demonstrate that resiliency is a value shared across the design team. However, the interpretation of what resiliency actually means varies greatly based on factors such as design team role, construction type, and experience. This course will consider resiliency from multiple viewpoints, hypothesize on why discrepancies exist when it comes to defining resiliency, and demonstrate actual examples of resilient construction based on recent disaster assessments and actual in situ examples. The content aims to help design team members develop solutions that advance the resilience of commercial buildings.

Insulation can help increase overall energy efficiency, minimize the spread of fire, manage risks associated with moisture and mold, and improve occupant comfort. When designing exterior wall assemblies, the type and placement of insulation is critical. To address thermal performance, wall systems almost always feature insulation batts — friction fit between framing members. Depending on climate zone and construction type, though, insulation batts alone may not provide enough thermal resistivity. Continuous insulation is increasingly used in conjunction with insulation batts to optimize thermal performance.

Protected Roof Membrane Assemblies and particularly Vegetative Roof Assemblies place extreme requirements on the components below the surface from waterproofing to insulation and everything in between. Each component must meet specific standards to achieve energy efficiency and durability. This course describes the high-performance attributes of PRMA components and defines the building code/performance standards and best specification practices to meet fire, wind, thermal, and moisture performance.

Structural Silicone Glazing (SSG) is an advanced construction technique for facade systems where a silicone sealant is utilized for glass bonding and transferring wind loads to the curtainwall. SSG systems have offered architects and owners the ability to design a façade with unique aesthetic features with improved thermal performance since the 1970’s.

This presentation discusses the benefits of the SSG technique and explores its history and future prospects. In addition, the benefits of silicone are reviewed and the reasons they make an excellent choice for many building projects.

This course, focused on silicone sealants, will cover topics related to the use of sealants in commercial construction. The discussion reviews what silicone is, where it is used and what are its benefits. Numerous design topics are covered as well how sealant choice affects project cost, performance and life expectancy. Fundamental behaviors of silicone sealants are also discussed.

With the complexity of commercial buildings and demand for energy efficiency on the rise, interest in high-performance air and water-resistive barrier systems (or AWBs) is growing. Architects naturally want to choose the most effective AWB for their projects. But with so many options, it can be difficult to discern which solutions will perform and protect long into a building’s future. This presentation explores the distinct benefits of fluid-applied 100% silicone AWBs, and the reasons they make an excellent choice for many building projects. We discuss the basics and benefits of air barriers, as well as codes and requirements to follow in order to reduce risk. We explain the key properties that set 100% silicone apart from other fluid-applied chemistries. We also cover installation details for 100% silicone AWBs.

This live course is offered as part of the DuPont Building Science Master Summit May 25, 2023 starting at 11am ET.

Presented by: Keith P. Nelson, NCARB, AIA, CDT, BCxP, and Gabriel Acevedo, DuPont

The trend toward sustainable building design took on new dimensions during the pandemic and concurrent supply chain crisis. Coupled with the ongoing dilution of skilled labor in the construction trades, there emerged an increased urgency and opportunity in specifying and installing sustainable roofing systems.

This is a Product SpotLight Presentation.

Hear from our experts!
Alside is a recognized leader in the home improvement industry and a charter member of the Vinyl Siding Institute, as well as a member of the American Association of Architects, the National Association of Home Builders, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Kalwall’s diffuse, full-spectrum natural daylighting delivers soft, serene natural light to places of worship, creating a spiritual setting that both soothes and inspires. Over the years, many designers have utilized Kalwall to great effect, often simulating stained glass windows with our colored inserts. Learn how you can incorporate Kalwall into your next church or religious space.

From the presenters of “Maintaining Continuous Insulation and AWBs at Transitions” comes the next detailing presentation in the series. This presentation expands on integrating insulation and air barriers using the previously described building science fundamentals but applied to some trickier details. How do you integrate continuous insulation at a foundation where the masonry veneer must rest on concrete foundation walls? How do you attach heavy, but combustible, low mass veneers? Join us to find out.

This course is designed to provide architects, designers, engineers, and specification writers a practical and useful foundation of knowledge to better understand the current cold-formed steel framing industry and how it supports the most recent standards for code compliance, structural/fire/sound requirements and sustainability.

Protected Membrane Roofing (PMR) assemblies have been widely adopted in low-slope commercial buildings since the late 1960s. Also known as the Inverted Roof Membrane Assembly or Upside Down / Inverted Roof, PMR assemblies move the waterproofing membrane from the top of the roof assembly to the surface of the structural deck. This simple design change provides several advantages over conventional roof assemblies that have their waterproof membrane fully exposed at the top surface. For architects, PMR assemblies present many opportunities to create innovative, sustainable, and efficient buildings. The most significant advantage is that PMR assemblies offer superior protection against water penetration, which reduces the likelihood of leaks and extends the lifespan of the roofing system. They also offer enhanced energy efficiency, from the strategic insulation layer placed above the waterproofing membrane. This course will also show how PMR assemblies provide ample opportunities for sustainable design integration. They allow for the creation of green roofs or Blue Roof systems, which provide environmental benefits like rainwater harvesting. With its proven record of reliability, PMR assemblies present a compelling solution for architects seeking innovative, sustainable, and efficient roofing option

When daylighting a space, there are endless ways to go about it. With the power of daylight simulation, you can make informed decisions about material selections, placement and opening sizes, as well as building geometries. Modeling allows you to compare multiple designs to see how they will perform, while verifying light levels, potential glare and code compliance. Learn how we can help.

This is a Product SpotLight Presentation.

An exploration of changing needs and requirements for rooftop mechanical supports

Invite costumers and guests into brightly lit spaces that encourage them to stay. Whether introducing a skylight to a hotel atrium or providing a whole new dining experience with a Kalwall façade, skyroof®, or canopy, we can help you discover a daylighting solution that keeps customers coming back.

This course examines the principles associated with carbon emissions over the life of a building. The carbon footprint of a building does not begin when the building becomes operational but rather during design and continues through demolition or deconstruction. The role that design and construction professionals play in regard to product transparency will also be discussed.

Learn how Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) insulation can be safely used in California residential construction to optimize cost efficiency while complying with Title 24 energy code and improving comfort, durability, and strength of homes and buildings.

The course covers the functions of the air barrier system in the building envelope enclosure. Benefits of proper air and moisture control through the envelope are reviewed, and the various types of air barrier systems and their limitations and performance is also covered.

The teaching points will be on Closed cell Spray Polyurethane Foam (SPF) and the commercial building enveloped. Subject matter will contain discussions on safety with SPF use, SPF and NFPA 285 as well a review of the basic chemistry and some basic details.

During this presentation, architects will learn the basics about how cellular PVC is made, compared to other PVC products (such as celuka) and how the ingredient affect performance. Best practices in specifying and working with cellular PVC will also be discussed, as well as green attributes of PVC manufacturing and processing. Finally, some design applications of cellular PVC profiles and associated millwork will be presented.

This course provides an overview of impacts from natural disasters and identifies solutions for building back better. It discusses the use of closed-cell polyurethane foams as well as other performance materials for disaster durable construction applications, including responding to flood and wind events using approved methods and materials.

This is an introductory course on spray polyurethane foam (SPF) which will cover component chemistry, different types of SPF, and proper SPF use in construction applications. In addition, this course covers code compliance related to SPF for residential and commercial construction, as well as safe SPF installation practices.

This program is designed to educate the audience on the processing of closed cell spray foam, its use in the commercial building envelope. It will also go into the proper application and safety required in using closed cell 2# spray foam. There will be some building science and discussion of air barriers. The program ends with discovering many other uses for closed cell spray foam.