Building Knowledge and Connections
Building Knowledge and Connections
Historically, traditional waterproofing methods involve the placement of a barrier or membrane between the concrete and water. Unlike membranes and other surface systems, crystalline waterproofing is designed to make the concrete itself waterproof. This course discusses how crystalline waterproofing technology provides a high level of performance t...
From performing arts centers and music schools to museums and Native American centers, Kalwall is proud to be a part of cultural facilities around the world. Culture is at the heart of our communities, and it’s our job to shine a light on the things that matter most. With natural, diffuse daylight improving visual acuity and boosting mood, thereâ...
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 ...
View the DuPont Performance Building Solutions Course Library
Building science experts acknowledge the need for drainage in both vertical and horizontal applications in order to eliminate moisture issues and extend the life of the building. This course examines foundation wall, green roof, and plaza deck applications and discusses the factors that impact drainage, including soil permeability, saturation, land...
Good acoustic environments are important to the general well-being of all building users. This course outlines the benefits of creating them with wall and ceiling acoustic treatments. It includes many acoustic wall and ceiling treatment options and sample installations....
There are many kinds of resin-based coatings for metal. The type of resin used plays an important role in determining a coating's durability and physical properties. This course discusses these coatings and their application techniques. It also discusses why the coatings may deteriorate and how to measure the performance of the coatings. The role t...
This course features a broad discussion on Vegetated Roof Systems, including their history, the variety of types, and the various components that comprise these systems, as well as their numerous benefits....
An introduction to the use of Polyisocyanurate insulation to provide a Continuous Insulating Air & Water Resistive Barrier, providing energy efficiency, fire safety, sustainability, and a healthier indoor environment....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
An introduction to the history, manufacturing, and use of Polyisocyanurate Insulation in Commercial and Residential Construction and address how these products can contribute to energy efficiency, fire safety, sustainability, and a healthier indoor environment....
View the Rmax - A Division of the Sika Corporation Course Library
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...
With the rise in popularity of green roofing, many municipalities are adopting requirements for sustainable design from LEED and other sources. As this creates an increased frequency, design professionals require an increased level of knowledge as to how to create green roofs within the framework of waterproofing, thermal envelope, elevation limits...
Today, architects and designers need to give special consideration to building acoustics when developing plans for new and newly renovated construction projects. Excessive noise in any environment is considered a serious problem that can negatively impact occupant comfort, leading to learning difficulties, sleep deprivation, delayed recovery from i...
View the Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
Building Envelopes are among the systems that can have the largest embodied carbon impact on a building. Traditionally envelope systems and materials are chosen for aesthetics, cost, and operational energy, but embodied carbon is equally important. Learn how carbon is broken out between operational and embodied, the basic concepts of an LCA and EPD...
Vinyl membrane decking can prolong the life cycle of various building components; however, performance and durability depend on vinyl membrane selection, specification, and installation. Fortunately, vinyl membrane manufacturers can support architects, contractors, and specifiers through all phases of the project to ensure a successful outcome. Thi...
View the Duradek/Durarail Course Library
This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details.
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
This course focuses on the rapidly growing data center industry and how critical it is to control noise for facility employees and residents living in neighboring areas and to follow city ordinances. The noise issues data centers pose for their workers and their external surroundings are examined, and practical solutions are reviewed....
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 transpare...
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, con...
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 traditiona...
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...
One of the most exciting developments in outdoor living is the arrival of ¾” thick porcelain outdoor pavers. The concept began to spark interest in 2012 and is continuing to grow in popularity. Outdoor porcelain pavers have the same benefits as regular porcelain –being frost-resistant, skid-resistant, durable and easy to clean – combined wit...
Green or vegetative roof systems have become an effective means to address aesthetic and environmental issues and provide energy savings for building owners, while at the same time providing protection for a building and its contents through the use of a high-performance waterproofing system. This program describes the basics of vegetative roof sys...
Concrete is a very versatile and fundamental building material; however, because it is porous and wicks water through its matrix, concrete has water-related design challenges. This program examines the sustainable benefits of integral concrete waterproofing and analyzes traditional waterproofing methods as compared to integral methods in terms of p...
Architects and other design professionals have a critical role to play in reducing global greenhouse gas emissions through building design and product selection. The urgent need to reduce both operational and embodied carbon means that building designers must be familiar with transparency documents that facilitate low-carbon product selection. In t...
Metal roofing offers longevity, durability, and visual appeal. Today, a range of color and finish options are available that afford specifiers broad design flexibility. This course explores key solar reflectance and sustainability considerations when evaluating metal roofing colors and how selection relates to requirements in codes and green buildi...