Air barriers are intended to block air and moisture from getting into the building. But frequent testing and thermographic imaging shows that one common source of building leaks is at or near air barrier failures. Improper lapping and detailing of terminations, incompatible products, and lack of adhesion are just a few of the potential culprits. Proper project-specific testing ahead of construction can help prevent these failures before they become costly. This course will review industry-recognized requirements and test methods specified for air barrier membranes. Participants will also learn how enhanced testing can measure long-term performance, giving you piece of mind before construction begins....
Discuss IRC Egress Code and the possible Product choices, attributes and Factors which could effect performance Review the installation process, Egress window well design trends...
A strong connection between the roof and wall is critical for building enclosure integrity, energy efficiency, and durability. This course will examine an innovative approach to the roof to wall connection utilizing a simplified parapet cap. Construction of these is generally fabricated in the field with wood that can warp, twist, and make this connection tricky. This course will explore a prefabricated option featuring high-strength material for a stable and sustainable parapet cap solution that can be used on any type of wall structure. This Engineered Framing System provides a plethora of installation benefits for commercial construction....
While natural stone veneer has a timeless popularity in commercial and residential applications, its cost, weight, and availability can make it prohibitive for some projects. Natural-looking manufactured stone veneer alleviates those concerns but still requires time and experience in mortared stone installation. This course explores these options and then introduces the latest manufactured stone product, a panelized, mortarless veneer that installs with the ease, speed, and all-weather flexibility of siding. Application examples and case studies present the many options that offer a real stone aesthetic without the time, skill, and constraints required for mortared applications....
In this focused one-hour session, gain a clear understanding of the design, specification, and installation processes for joint sealants in high-performance building enclosures. Learn how selecting the right sealants for vertical and horizontal joints can enhance durability, efficiency, and occupant safety. This course emphasizes the critical role of proper joint design and installation in improving building health and performance, ensuring a safer environment for occupants....
This course is designed to provide an understanding the importance of continuous insulation relative to mass wall of Concrete and CMU, and how the continuous insulation can help leverage the mass wall properties to stabilize the building environment. In addition, we will address how specific types of continuous insulation can function as the Air and Water Resistive Barrier System, leading to better indoor environment....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
This presentation shares why sealants are a critical tool in making buildings more energy efficient, including how they prevent air and water leaks in gaps, cracks, joints, and fenestrations. It also explores what to look for in a sealant, including the properties associated with flexibility and long-term performance...
Rooftop HVAC equipment, waste receptacles, and other necessary but unsightly equipment are common in today’s commercial industries. Rooftop and ground screening can provide a solution for meeting code requirements while improving building aesthetics. In addition, screens may improve a property’s safety and security and establish privacy boundaries. This course offers an in-depth discussion of rooftop and ground screening, the various ways to screen, and considerations when selecting a screen. Different installation techniques and comparative characteristics of traditional screening methods versus unit-attached and modular screening methods are also discussed....
View the CityScapes Architectural Innovations Course Library
Studies show that a breathable self-adhering roofing underlayment has the ability to: Provide drying Ease installation Extend the life of the roof assembly This course investigates current knowledge of breathable, vapor-open (permeable) roofing underlayments and their ability to mitigate water intrusion, reduce long-term exposure to wetted substrates, and enhance the drying capacity of the roof assembly — extending the life of the roofing assembly....
Acoustical design requirements are frequently based on laboratory test data. Floor/ceiling assemblies constructed in a lab for testing are built under ideal conditions and with high levels of precision. These assemblies also do not have any of the attachments or penetrations that are ubiquitous in real-world construction. Selecting a tested floor/ceiling design that meets an STC and/or IIC requirement is not enough to provide adequate sound isolation in the real-world. To achieve good sound isolation, it is imperative that designers understand how to treat the myriad of details that can compromise a floor/ceiling assembly's performance. These include: can lights, soffits, control joints, window shades, access panels, speakers, and wall/ceiling intersections. In this presentation we: discuss why a detail is important for noise control, provide the acoustical impact of poor detailing based on test data (when available), and provide acoustical best practices for the details....
This course provides specifiers of masonry veneer walls the description of a complete high performance wall system that meets the wall systems requirements ASTM E2357 (Air Leakage), ASTM E331 (Water Penetration), and NFPA 285 (Fire Propagation). The wall components associated with moisture management and interactions with other system components are highlighted. Additionally, an effective and efficient means to specify such walls is presented....
Stucco is a popular and durable finishing material that offers many benefits, combining safety and affordability while satisfying aesthetic needs. It can be applied to various surfaces using a lath system, which provides support for stucco. However, the quality of the stucco lath embedment can greatly affect its performance. This course covers the proper technique for achieving lath embedment, the different types of metal lath and their various applications, and regional material preferences....
This is a Product SpotLight Presentation. SOPRANATURE TOUNDRA BOX combines all the necessary components of a green roofing system into a modular tray. Each tray includes built in drainage slots, filter fabric, growing medium and pre-grown plants protected by a removable retention frame. Suitable for both small and large surfaces, these lightweight, easy-to-carry trays are easily assembled in minutes to create an instant green roof....
Learners will closely evaluate steep-slope roofs, examining materials and practices that improve roof performance. By the end of the course, they will be able to identify key characteristics of roofing systems that prevent roof deterioration and damage, providing protection to the occupants within the structure. Finally, learners will evaluate best practices in detailing steep-slope roof systems to mitigate water, ice, or weather damage to the structure....
This panel discussion explores building sustainable designs for energy efficiency, water efficiency and stormwater management starting from the roof. With urban heat island effect compounding the global warming from climate change, we are in urgent need of understanding how the roof can be very effective in delivering sustainable, high performance buildings while incorporating stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). Smart material choices and quality and environmental performance certifications are part of assuring performance meets design intent. In addition, job site pain points and project insights for maximizing building design performance will be shared....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Outdoor living space has become an important residential design consideration in the last several years. Decks create welcoming spaces to relax and entertain with family and friends, and a well-built deck can add more living space and value to a home. This course discusses deck surfaces, maintenance, and costs and explores porcelain tile as an alternative to wood and composite deck surfaces that is well suited to exterior environments. Also discussed is how porcelain tile can be used with a new pultruded fiberglass and composite underlayment, called structural ribbed self-supporting boards, and the sustainable features of this technology....
Tour a single-skin metal panel manufacturing facility to discover the ins and out of metal panel production. From attaining quality raw materials, assurance of a precise finish coat and measuring quality control specifications prior to being loaded for roll forming, metal breaking or bent into a modular metal panel by a completely autonomous line. See first-hand through the process cycle how quality panels lend to create a building envelope able to withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. All this while striving to be part of the safest metal handling companies in the world....
One of the most complex and least understood areas where fire can propagate is at the perimeter of a multi-story building. Not only can fire spread from floor-to-floor via the edge-of-slab/curtain wall intersections but also along the exterior building enclosure where untested, combustible components are often installed. This program outlines best design practices for providing fire protection for building occupants per ASTM E2307 and E2874....
Stormwater management is critical in an era when severe storms and sewer overflows are increasing in many areas. In urban contexts where open space is at a premium, using on-structure bioretention planters can be the ideal approach. This course explores the benefits of bioretention and how bioretention planters reduce peak flows and improve water quality. The course also discusses how bioretention planters should be designed, can perform as amenities, and contribute to meeting the requirements of green building certification programs....
Design guidelines for sustainable MVM buildings, including product innovations and industry related education. At the end of this course, participants will be able to avoid design detailing errors....
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...
View the Panasonic Industrial Devices, Building Materials Group Course Library
The ultimate replacement for natural cedar and the perfect accent for engineered wood and fiber cement....
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas, a Class A carcinogen, the leading cause of cancer after smoking, and the leading cause of death for nonsmokers. It is found in soil, rock, and groundwater. If radon enters a home through slabs, basements, and crawl spaces, breathing it can lead to illness or even death. This course examines how the gas travels through soil and into structures and the various interception approaches and materials that can be utilized to prevent entry into inhabited spaces. It also highlights building code requirements and language that can assist with ensuring the correct radon interception systems are designed and installed effectively....
Wind load can significantly impact buildings, affecting their structural integrity and safety. Perimeter roof edge systems are a primary safeguard during strong wind events. This course provides an overview of the types, features, and benefits of perimeter roof edge systems, system selection considerations, the impact of wind uplift on roofs, and the building codes and testing standards applicable to perimeter roof edge systems....
Exterior wall systems are the dividing line between the exterior and the interior and must address several fundamental performance goals of the building envelope. This course reviews traditional rainscreen design and examines why, with its single-component construction, an insulated composite backup wall system is a vast improvement over traditional multicomponent building technology....
