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....
Some types of roofing systems can provide you with a roofing option that’s good for the environment and your wallet. Roofing systems don’t have to be disposable. By maximizing system longevity and recycling at the end of its useful life, roofing systems no longer have to be looked at as another thing to add to a landfill....
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
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....
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....
Join top industry experts for a dynamic session on the future of energy-efficient building envelopes. The expert panel will address key performance challenges, share forward-thinking solutions, and provide insights on the latest advancements in materials, design, and policy that are shaping the future of sustainable construction....
View the PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association Course Library
PIMA - Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association
No discussion about a material’s sustainability is complete unless it addresses embodied carbon, the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with the material over its cradle-to-grave life cycle. Changes made to spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation formulations address the impacts of embodied carbon. This course explores the evolution and environmental impacts of SPF blowing agents, the performance benefits of SPF, physical property testing and certifications, and SPF’s potential LEED® v4 contributions. Case studies make evident the performance value of SPF....
Urban warming negatively impacts human health and quality of life, energy use, air quality, social equity, and economic prosperity. This course describes how solar reflective cool roof and wall materials help protect individuals and communities from the impacts of extreme heat and discusses the factors that influence energy savings and performance. The course also notes various climate resilience initiatives, green building programs, and energy codes that require or promote the use of cool roofs or walls and concludes by explaining the important role of third-party product ratings and the educational resources available online....
Thermally controlled environments such as cold storage freezers and coolers, and food processing and packaging facilities take many different forms. Their performance and functionality depend on their project-specific requirements and can be affected by the conditions the materials and systems are subjected to. This course discusses how insulated metal panels (IMPs) perform the necessary functions to provide an effective energy-efficient building envelope and why they are suitable for use within temperature-controlled hygienic environments—where performance is critical....
Moisture and soil gas beneath concrete slabs can cause a myriad of problems in both residential and commercial applications. The causes and consequences of these problems are reviewed in this course, along with a discussion on the types and characteristics of under-slab water vapor and soil gas barriers....
Join us for our webinar series with a focus on Education projects. Students and teachers deserve bright, healthily lit spaces. The benefits of properly daylighting an educational space can be seen in improved productivity, reduced sick days and lowered utility bills. Learn how Kalwall can help you build beautifully daylit spaces....
Understanding how insulated metal panels comply with fire safety regulations under the code is critical to their proper use in creating highly energy-efficient and sustainable buildings. This course takes a relatively complex subject and addresses the most important fire safety aspects to allow building designers to make an informed decision on the use of these popular cladding systems. Also reviewed are how these products have been addressed in the development of the International Building Code and the various third-party product listings, evaluation reports, and engineering judgements used to show compliance....
The purpose of this session will focus on what an engineered façade system should provide. Project teams are seeking a complete single-source system from the studs to exterior finish. We will discuss types of testing and approvals Façade systems offer to meet national and international building codes such as FM, NFPA, and others. Further discussion will be on performance warranties for leakage, system integrity, material performance similar to a roofing warranty. From the designer’s role, where you place the insulation and how do you attach the cladding can be the most critical decision when working with a building façade. We will explore both questions from a building science perspective to give clarity and certainty this is done properly....
This course provides a deep dive into the forward architectural trends that are having impact across the residential market at large. Specifically, the content herein addresses how evolving cultural and consumer shifts are impacting exterior design - and how that impact in turn influences color choices, color usage, materials and roofing selections....
Acoustical doors are vital in managing sound transmission in various architectural and industrial settings. This course discusses evaluating, specifying, and integrating acoustical doors into projects that demand effective noise control, speech privacy, and occupant comfort. It also examines how acoustical doors may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction rating system and the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Compliance with fire safety codes and SCIF specifications is also discussed....
A metal roof combines performance and aesthetics to give commercial and residential buildings strength, longevity, and character. This course examines the features and benefits of standing seam metal roofing and explains the factors to consider when selecting a project-specific metal roofing system....
This course explores the critical aspects of fire-rated head-of-wall joint assemblies, providing design professionals with essential knowledge to enhance the safety and integrity of construction projects. Through an in-depth exploration of key concepts, participants will gain an understanding of fire-rated joint assembly components, the application of Steel Intumescent Fire Stops in diverse construction assemblies, and the standards essential for establishing UL-certified assemblies. Design considerations for specifying and detailing the protection of fire-rated perimeter joints will also be discussed....
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...
Understanding building physics is critical to proper building envelope design. Examined here are practical concepts for the building designer, including how cladding systems perform across different climate zones and applications. Environmental control layers and hygrothermal loads are reviewed, as is the concept of perfect/universal wall design. The course focuses on how single-component insulated metal panels (IMPs) function as a perfect/universal wall, simplifying wall system design and installation....
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....
We will explore the evolution of technology in low-slope roofing systems and its significance for buildings. Past low-slope roofing typically ignored air tightness, focusing on vapor restriction. This presentation will describe the importance of air tightness and vapor restriction to protect the building, your assets, and its occupants. Gain comprehensive insights into the anatomy of low-slope roofing assemblies and common low-slope roofing systems in the modern world or construction. We will provide the knowledge to make informed decisions about the usage of air/vapor retarders versus vapor barriers in low-slope roofing applications, enhancing your proficiency in creating resilient and sustainable building envelopes....
Wall system applications are becoming more and more common in the building envelope industry today. Explore the science behind wall systems and the tangible benefits of incorporating this technology into building structures. There is an emphasis on the differences between air barriers that are impermeable to vapor drive and air barriers that are vapor permeable and which is the best in each climate and wall assembly....
Insulated vinyl siding, known as insulated siding, is an exterior cladding that combines the protection and low maintenance of traditional vinyl siding with the energy efficiency of EPS foam. The composite results in an improvement in performance and aesthetics. This course discusses the benefits associated with installing insulated siding on new and renovation residential construction projects, and the range of architectural styles that can be achieved with the breadth of design and color options available....
This presentation will focus on the overview of above-grade waterproofing, specifically covering balcony waterproofing systems, and the most overlooked component when assembling such systems. The course will also highlight the forces that create the need for waterproofing assemblies, and how those forces shape how we waterproof balconies....
Our beautiful, soft daylighting not only helps to boost sales, but it also creates much more comfortable, energy-efficient spaces that customers, employees and building owners alike can all appreciate. Similarly, in corporate and professional office environments, balanced diffuse daylighting is preferred for its ability to enhance worker satisfaction, reduce absenteeism and boost staff productivity....
If you design, install, commission, maintain or repair metal roofing systems, this course will provide you with the tools and techniques to do your job correctly and avoid problems. Upon completing this course, you will be able to identify the best solutions to your metal roofing issues, whether you're working on new construction, performing maintenance, or re-roofing....
