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.

New technology and improvements in masonry veneer installation can help your team save time and money in the construction process while providing superior results. In this course, you'll learn how cutting-edge technology is helping masons move beyond traditional lath and scratch and be introduced to the principles behind masonry veneer installation systems (MVIS). Learn how to create permanent, high-strength installations for residential, commercial, and industrial applications using MVIS with fortified mortars and innovative waterproofing barrier membranes that protect against air and water penetration.

As architects push the boundaries of design, materials that offer flexibility are essential; single-skin architectural metal wall panel systems provide such flexibility. Presented here are architectural metal wall panels, their fabrication process, design possibilities, and applications. Also discussed are the components and features of a perfect wall and a multicomponent wall assembly, the testing, safety, and installation of multicomponent metal wall panel systems, and how metal wall panels and their manufacturers can contribute to sustainability objectives.

Knowing the importance of preserving existing buildings and material, as explored in “Re-Solution Part I: A Carbon Case for Building and Material Re-use” this course will examine which strategies are best for different structures and situations. We will explore different [a host] of scenarios and case studies, with an eye towards the potential for improvement across the board. Carbon (dioxide) is a hot topic these days and will be a companion of sorts, though we will be sure to include H20 (oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen) since all of these work interdependently in buildings, colluding as an all-too-often overlooked enemy of sustainability: moisture damage. If a building leaks, it is not sustainable. Here we will brush with a broader stroke, emphasizing the need for good design and detailing, while exploring examples of successful wall and roof assemblies. In “Re-solutions III: Facilitating Architectural Re-use and Wiser Wood in New Construction,” we will hone in on specific factors which can help hedge successes and minimize pitfalls in implementing reuse strategies.

This presentation will review the basics of spray polyurethane foam chemistry, application, safety, code compliance, and building performance.  It discusses safety requirements during the foam application, how spray foam can contribute to improved indoor air quality by reducing air leakage, how spray foam creates a more comfortable environment, and improves a buildings energy efficiency leading to reduced energy consumption and lowering a buildings impact on the environment.

This course is designed to help the commercial building team understand how to best use new products introduced into the market for building enclosures. These innovative products and systems assist in combining multiple steps of a traditional commercial exterior assembly, such as: structure, fire, water, air, thermal, vapor, and acoustic control layers into one or fewer steps. We will review various hybridized sheathing solutions and show how the integration of advanced technology has improved performance, capability, and sustainability.

This program is on spray polyurethane insulation and membrane roofing systems. Attendees will learn about the history and application developments of this system. They will also learn of the construction detailing and insulation benefits as well as the performance attributes. Attendees will also gain knowledge of the environmental and building sustainable contributions of this roofing system.

This course provides an overview of integral blind assemblies and discusses their benefits over conventional blinds, components and framing options, performance characteristics and testing standards, and common applications.

This presentation discusses the overall importance for below grade waterproofing systems as well as the other various types of systems. The Presentation also explores modes of failure and the negative impact of moisture infiltration into a structure.

Slate has been used for centuries as a long-lasting building material, and its natural beauty is unsurpassed. Today, rainscreen cladding systems have been developed to adapt natural slate to new architectural demands for sustainable building design approaches. This course explores the energy efficiency and moisture management benefits of a rainscreen system in combination with the durability and versatility of slate. The different designs and fastening systems are reviewed, and case studies demonstrate the advantages and possibilities for sustainable and beautiful slate projects.

The beautiful gray patina of zinc architectural metal has graced the rooftops of buildings in Europe for hundreds of years. This course examines the sustainable characteristics of zinc as a roofing material, including its 100% recyclability, zero VOC requirement, and low embodied energy production process. The life cycle analysis of zinc is examined, as is zinc’s long-term service life. Various types of roof and wall applications are also discussed.

Wind forces always influence building design and detailing. This course focuses on one particular force, wind uplift, and its influence on roof paving system design and selection. It examines how wind loads and building configuration affect the design of roof paving systems; the codes, regulations, and calculation approaches that inform and control such designs; and the various options designers can use to design safe, appealing outdoor roof paving systems that will withstand even the strongest winds.

This presentation walks through the most common below-grade installations and technologies that can be used in these applications, common reasons for membrane failure and risk mitigation practices.

Specifiers, owners, and installers of commercial roofing systems have met unprecedented obstacles in today’s world. Shortages and disruptions in the supply chain combined with a shrinking labor force have created uncertainty, inflation, and scheduling challenges for all projects. Despite these adverse conditions, opportunities exist to reevaluate and choose roofing materials and installation methods that will allow successful project fulfillment within predictable timeframes.

Concrete Masonry has many advantages for building envelope construction. This course explains five key unexpected advantages that are not as widely known as they should be.

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Single-family attached residences (residences that share one or more walls between neighbors) are required to utilize area separation walls between units. A key design criterion of any firewall—besides its fire rating—is that it be structurally independent in a fire. This course evaluates two-hour fire-resistance-rated walls used in single-family attached and multifamily residential construction, the options available in today’s marketplace, firewall installation requirements, and fire resistance testing.

History and development of modified bitumen waterproofing systems, including addition of FR additives impacting sheet performance in catastrophic fire events allowing protection for building occupants. Modified bitumen sheet anatomy, incorporating discussion of self-adhesive and sanded sheet cold adhesive sheet installations and their impact on building occupants. Methodology of roof system application, including pertinence to environmental and safety impact review modified bitumen membrane surfacing including highly reflective surfacing material options and their impact on building performance and subsequent occupant comfort.

This course provides an educational overview of incorporating cost-effective, design forward architectural building envelope solutions that utilize insulated metal wall and roof panels while reducing energy consumption in commercial buildings. Included is a comprehensive abstract of insulated metal panel solutions and outlines innovative cladding alternatives to address the issue of embodied carbon within construction materials, summarizing the environmentally friendly nature of insulated metal panels, and contributions to green building certifications.

Outdoor decks are commonly desired by homeowners and commercial property owners for both new and existing properties. Wood has long been the structural choice for outdoor deck materials. However, wood has disadvantages that can be mitigated with steel deck framing structural construction. In this course, we will discover that light-gauge steel (LGS) is lighter in weight than structural wood, is less susceptible to deterioration due to the elements and pests, requires less maintenance over time, is a sustainable material, and offers unparalleled safety features for dead loads, live loads, and environmental loads such as snow, earthquakes, and wind. Steel deck framing is quick to erect and provides for longer spans than wood of similar cross-sectional size. Structural materials can be easily lifted, and waste is reduced.

Vacuum insulation panels (VIP) offer higher thermal resistance per unit thickness than traditional insulation materials. This means a building envelope can meet the effective R Values for the enclosures required by the energy codes without having to increase the thickness of walls roofs or floors. This course discusses how VIPs work, why they are effective and the impact the properties of the materials used to construct a VIP can have on its performance. VIP installations and the latest developments in VIP technology are reviewed to illustrate the advantages of using VIP's as thermal insulation in the design of energy-efficient buildings

Today’s building professionals seeking better moisture management and energy efficiency from the exteriors of their projects are turning to rainscreens as a solution to both. Wood-plastic composite (WPC) provides a durable and long-lasting material suitable for use in rainscreen systems, decks, railings, and more. Reviewed in this course are the manufacturing process, performance and green benefits, and installation of WPC cladding that is fully capped with a polymeric plastic “shield,” providing long-term resistance to moisture, staining, and fading.