Building Knowledge and Connections
Displaying 1 - 25 of 184 results.
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https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5147/www.aecdaily.com/course/856360
With the advent of “cool” single-ply roofs featuring heat-reflective exterior surfaces and the use of mechanical attachment, new questions have emerged concerning the internal forces at play within the roofing system, especially in regard to vapor movement and the potential for moisture condensation within the roof. This course reviews the fundamentals of vapor movement in roofing systems, current roof condensation research and the tools available to assess roof condensation. It also provides the building design professional with strategies to deal effectively with moisture movement within the roofing system.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s775747/www.aecdaily.com/course/815408
For some applications, building codes provide for the use of fire-retardant-treated (FR) wood products as an alternative to noncombustible materials. To ensure that FR wood products are properly specified, it is important to understand how these products are made, their formulations, and the building code references that guide their use in construction. This course offers a review of FR wood products, including their manufacture, the applications and types of fire retardants that are available, and the factors that must be considered to ensure FR wood products are properly specified for code compliance.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s719/www.aecdaily.com/course/870117
Single-skin metal siding can be used for a wide range of projects, from commercial buildings to educational, healthcare, residential, agricultural, and even high-end architectural designs. These siding panels can also contribute to green designs and certification programs. This course explores the different types of single-skin metal siding, specification details, and performance and design considerations.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s904648/www.aecdaily.com/course/1091539
Protected membrane roof (PMR) assemblies have been widely adopted in low-slope commercial buildings since the late 1960s. Also known as inverted or upside-down roofs, PMR assemblies move the waterproofing membrane from the top of the roof assembly to the surface of the structural deck. This course explores how PMR assemblies provide several advantages over conventional roof assemblies, offering superior protection against water penetration and enhanced energy efficiency. The course also shows how PMR assemblies allow for the creation of green roofs or blue roof systems. With a proven record of reliability, PMR assemblies present a compelling solution for architects seeking innovative, sustainable, and efficient roofing options.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s904648/www.aecdaily.com/course/1091510
Understanding the performance of building materials in real-world conditions is key to a successful building design. Recent studies have shown that the commonly reported R-values of polyisocyanurate foams at room temperature may overstate their real-world performance in cooler temperatures, potentially resulting in gaps in designed building enclosure assembly performance and quality. Through a theoretical framework and empirical data, this course shows that optimized polyisocyanurate foam insulation results in better performance, leading to improved energy savings and reduced potential for condensation. Participants are encouraged to explore innovative insulation materials, understand differences between them, and match optimal materials to specific applications while meeting modern construction codes and regulations. By matching the right insulation materials to the application, architects can contribute to energy-efficient and cost-conscious construction practices and help buildings reduce their impact on the environment.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s904648/www.aecdaily.com/course/1035801
This course details the benefits and selection process of magnesium oxide (MgO) sheathing in multifamily and commercial construction. MgO sheathing offers structural, fire resistance, and other properties that enable architects and designers to simplify the design and installation of building enclosures. Comparisons of MgO sheathing to traditional sheathing materials such as gypsum are included.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s841414/www.aecdaily.com/course/848681
The surface coating is the first line of defense in prepainted metal, and one of the most important elements to consider as part of a metal purchase. Selecting the right coating, finish, and paint system can affect product lifespan, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. This course discusses the composition of prepainted metal, its application and performance, and examines the building and environmental factors that may influence the type of paint system specified.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s3379/www.aecdaily.com/course/917631
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s3379/www.aecdaily.com/course/826168
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1096186/www.aecdaily.com/course/1100786
The war in Ukraine has left thousands living in substandard housing conditions, insufficient for winter weather. This course reviews a solution developed by a British engineer that addresses the pressing problem of delivering replacement windows in a war zone to improve thermal comfort in Ukrainian homes.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s3379/www.aecdaily.com/course/961744
As part of a well-designed rainscreen system, single-skin metal panels offer unique aesthetic options combined with the assurance that the building envelope will withstand the effects of long-term exposure to the elements. This course compares common cladding types; presents single-skin metal panel materials, coatings, finishes, and design options; and examines using single-skin metal panels with a single-component barrier wall to form a complete rainscreen assembly. This course is one of two identical courses titled Single-Skin Metal Panel Building Envelope Solutions . You will receive credit for taking only one of these courses.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s431285/www.aecdaily.com/course/1106562
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. This course examines walkable, waterproof roof deck membranes and roofing systems and includes discussions on system characteristics, design considerations, and how to properly specify roof deck membrane systems.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s10541/www.aecdaily.com/course/1049838
This program introduces building retrofits as a method to achieve green building standards by adapting existing structures. While a building retrofit may have several types of interventions, effective air sealing improves the durability of the structure and occupant comfort, health, and safety. This course includes a detailed look at sources of air leakage and the various methods available to address this infiltration. Several real-world examples demonstrate the importance of identifying the source of air leakage, investigating existing conditions, and proper detailing.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1039189/www.aecdaily.com/course/1049844
Manufacturers, industry groups, architects, designers, and homeowners all share an expectation of safety in the buildings we occupy and use every day. This course discusses the key chapters where important exterior wall fire provisions can be found in the International Building Code® and examines many common features of global fire incidents. The course also describes the NFPA 285 fire test and discusses the new Annex B in the 2023 edition of NFPA 285. Finally, there is a discussion of the code compliance pathways when exterior walls are required by the IBC® to be tested and comply with NFPA 285.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1103477/www.aecdaily.com/course/1114079
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s624574/www.aecdaily.com/course/1056832
Typically, all the brick selected for a given project will be either full bed depth (anchored) or thin brick (adhered); however, situations may benefit from combining the two types of masonry veneer on a project. The intent of this course is to differentiate between the types of brick masonry veneer, discuss the unique detailing required when combining veneer types, and provide project examples demonstrating where both types of masonry veneer have been successfully integrated. This course will focus on exterior applications of anchored and adhered masonry veneer.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12394/www.aecdaily.com/course/1179979
The performance and durability of a roof are critical to the health, welfare, and safety of both building occupants and the building itself. This course examines the construction, materials, and best detailing practices that ensure the proper long-term performance of steep-pitch roofs. It describes and details layout options for assemblies of steep-pitch roofs and the key characteristics of roofing systems that help to prevent roof deterioration and damage. It then highlights best practices in detailing and constructing steep-pitch roof systems that mitigate water, ice, snow, fire, or wind damage to the roof.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s1200670/www.aecdaily.com/course/1210640
Rain control is a critical aspect of building envelope construction, affecting a building’s structural integrity and occupant health. This course presents the rainscreen wall system as an effective strategy for moisture management, as reflected in the WELL Building Standard™ version 2. Discussed are the fundamentals of moisture control in buildings, the history of rainscreens, rainscreen design principles, and cladding material selection, including potential contributions to credit achievement in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction (BD+C) rating system.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s5147/www.aecdaily.com/course/853451
Roofing technologies have come a long way from labor-intensive BUR systems that achieved watertightness through redundancy. Today’s single-ply membranes are thin, light and reliable, and installation is safe and efficient. This course focuses on thermoplastic single-plies, particularly those that are PVC based, and explores their benefits and limitations as well as the important factors to consider when selecting a roof system, ranging from fastening techniques to warranties to sustainability.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s904648/www.aecdaily.com/course/1065316
The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act shines a light on how low-carbon building material selection is one of the keys to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the US. High-performance, sustainable products and thoughtful assemblies designed with the building life cycle in mind are critical to the future of our sustainable communities. This course provides a look at how low-carbon and sustainability considerations are activated from product to building design. Factors impacting a sustainable building life cycle are discussed to help architects and owners with building performance that meets the design intent not just on paper but also in use.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s632921/www.aecdaily.com/course/969584
Redwood lumber and timbers from sustainably managed and harvested forests offer warmth, durability, and strength in indoor and outdoor projects. This course covers the performance characteristics, environmental benefits, and applications of Redwood, including several case studies that highlight the beauty and versatility of Redwood products. Details are presented on differentiating the grades of Redwood, specifying the right grade for the project type, and the specification resources that are available.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s12454/www.aecdaily.com/course/969706
Exterior shading devices offer a number of advantages that contribute to a more sustainable building, including minimizing cooling costs, reducing peak electricity demand, and controlling glare. These benefits result in greater occupant comfort and improved productivity. This course provides a review of exterior aluminum shading device systems, including the components, finishes, and design and engineering considerations, as well as a discussion of how shading strategies contribute to LEED® certification.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s10015/www.aecdaily.com/course/819523
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.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s8170/www.aecdaily.com/course/1200510
This course examines the material composition, reinforcement types, and testing standards associated with styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modified bitumen membranes. It explains how fiberglass, polyester, and combination reinforcements affect membrane strength, flexibility, and dimensional stability. The standards that establish testing methods for tensile strength, elongation, and long-term performance are covered in detail. The course also outlines how material selection and installation practices influence roof durability, moisture resistance, and occupant safety.
https://redirect.aecdaily.com/s9572/www.aecdaily.com/course/1213034
Green or vegetative roofs have long been considered excellent for mitigating stormwater runoff and the heat island effect and reducing the energy load of building HVAC systems. However, their installations have also resulted in many additional benefits, such as increased tenant retention, improved human experience, and longer lifespan of the roof’s waterproofing membrane. This course provides an introduction to green roofs and describes the different types and components, including waterproofing membranes, drainage, and vegetation-free zones. It also examines how green roofs may help meet credit requirements in the LEED® v5 Building Design and Construction and SITES® v2 rating systems.
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