Continuing Education Center
Continuing Education Center |
Our Online Continuing Education Center gives professionals a convenient way to earn necessary continuing education credits without having to set foot in a classroom. The courses listed below, sponsored by the companies noted, are accessible from anywhere you can establish an online connection. Just register, read the required material, and then take the test, either through a downloadable mail-in form, or free via a secure online connection, depending on the course. You'll be able to maintain your professional credentials, at your pace, and at a location that works for you. NOTE: If you have a technical question about an online course, please contact our troubleshooting contact Lisa Pierce at lpierce@architectces.com or call 412-571-1776. |
Specifying Maple Sports Floors: Sustainable Sport Floors The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association provides industry standards for the specification and installation of maple sport floors. Learn the quality and performance characteristics of Northern hard maple and vairous subfloor configurations. Learn how to write specifications for maple sport floors and how the MFMA Accredited Installer Program will help architects identify manufacturers and installers of maple sport floors. Click "Read more" to open PDF. Read more > |  |
PVC & Polyurethane: The Right Products for the Right Application PVC & polyurethane products can be used in a variety of interior and exterior applications. This learning unit examines the manufacturing processes for each material and explains why the materials are suited for specific applications. You will be able to compare PVC and polyurethane to other common trim and millwork materials, recommend installation techniques, and identify common applications of PVC and polyurethane products. Click "Read more" to open PDF. Read more > |  |
Eagle Window & Door - Advancements in the Manufacture of Wood Windows and Doors After completing this course you will be able to describe the implications of the natural defects of wood in the manufacture of building materials, explain the development and use of engineered wood products, such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL), in the production of wood windows and doors and identify the advantages in factory finishing and the use of water-based solvents when finishing wood products. Click "Read more" to open PDF. Read more > |  |
Firmitas, Utilitas, Venustas: The Essence of Good Architecture This learning unit focuses on the Classical Orders of Architecture in part one, and in part two, discusses how the Classical Orders affect moulding design, ornamental motifs, contemporary design, and how they mutually influence each other. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
New Advancements in Faucet Valve Technologies and Waterway Solutions You will learn strategies for reducing water consumption and how these strategies contribute to LEED building certification. New technologies are discussed, water consumption statistics reveal how important water conservation really is, and various LEED category requirements are reviewed. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
Water Delivery Systems for Green Building You will learn strategies for reducing water consumption and how these strategies contribute to LEED building certification. New technologies are discussed, water consumption statistics reveal how important water conservation really is, and various LEED category requirements are reviewed. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > | |
Quantifying the Economic, Energy and Environmental Benefits of Transparent Low-E Glasses 1 LU/HSW Hr Until recently architects and specifiers could only speculate how high-performance glass improved the overall efficiency of a building. This course reviews a study conducted by a glass manufacturer that set out to determine how low-emissivity glass affects energy consumption of buildings and the resulting economic and environmental benefits. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
Spray Polyurethane Foam for Roofing and Insulation Applications After completing this course you will be able to describe the composition of spray polyurethane foam and the benefits of using SPF for roofing and insulation applications. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
Managing Expectations of Exterior Colors and Coatings of Architectural Metals (1 LU) After completing this course you will be able to identify practical color limitations of coating processes as they relate to architectural metals. Color selection, application, building profiles, coating manufacturing and installation will be reviewed. You will be able to identify best practices and procedures to minimize color variations on the building components you specify and you will learn how to maximize your coating supplier resources. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > | |
Green Building: An Integrated Approach to Construction Now that "green" is an established industry direction, architects, designers, specifiers and contractors need to be aware of the materials and products used in any project. This course examines the five pillars of sustainability and how a new process has virtually eliminated VOC emissions for wood finishing. Successful completion of the course will earn 1 AIA LU/HSW hour. Click "Read more" to download supplemental reading PDF. Read more > |  |
Current Trends In Windows And Doors Learners will be able to identify current trends in windows and doors that will allow for design flexibility and will be able to list benefits of new trends for both the design professional and consumer. Finally, learners will be able to discuss how new trends in window and door manufacturing and installation affect the green building movement and universal design. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
LEED Choices in Wood Door Construction 1 LU/HSW Architectural wood doors help contribute to green building practices if they meet certain criteria. This course examines how wood doors can contribute to earning LEED points, the requirements for wood to be certified and identifies common green building programs and their basic principles. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
Fundamentals of Air, Water and Structural Testing This course examines the fundamentals of Design Pressure (DP) testing. It defines design pressure and identifies factors that contribute to performance requirements. The learner will be able to read AAMA labels and understand how the labels designate product type, product class and design pressure. You will be walked through how design load is determined and the factors that affect this performance feature of a window. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
VOC-compliant New, high-performance, low-VOC adhesives and sealants are available that will redefine what VOC-compliant means. Learn how adhesives and sealants contribute to LEED and NAHB certification. Identify the importance of third-party product testing and verification and the difference between VOC-compliant and low-VOC products. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
Improve Sustainability and Efficiency: Specify a Window Installation System 1 LU/HSW hour Windows and doors are the weak points of a wall system. The components required to install a window are often not compatible with each other. By using a complete window installation system of products that have been developed and tested to be compatible, you will improve sustainability and efficiency of the window and wall system. Click "Read more" to register. Read more > |  |
Weather Shield Course Green Buildings And Environmental Stewardship Examines current "Green" ratings systems such as LEED, GreenGlobes and NAHB. Identifies the differences between each rating system, explains how to earn certification points and provides case study examples of successfully built green buildings in the United States. Click "Read more" to register and take test. Read more > | |
Installing Architectural Veneer Stone: Techniques, Aesthetics and Performance Architectural stone and brick venner are versatile and cost-efficient alternatives to real stone and brick claddings. You will watch videos on surface preparation and grout techniques and be able to recognize problems associated with improper installation. You will learn what to look for in evaluation reports and how to select a quality manufacturer of veneer stone and brick. Click "Read more" to register and take test. Read more > |  |
New Urbanism This course examines what New Urbanism is and identifies the benefits and requirements of New Urbanism developments. You will learn how fiber cement siding has impacted the growth of New Urbanism and will be able to identify strengths and weakness of commonly used siding systems. You will earn one hour of AIA credit upon successful completion of this course. Click "Read more" to register and take test. Read more > |  |
Protecting Your Home Or Building With Impact Resistant Windows Course Description: This course will introduce you to the important role impact resistant windows play in the protection of a home or building from the damaging effects caused by severe weather. You will learn about building code standards and product certification, when and where they are required, how they perform, cost and safety benefits and their unique installation requirements. Click "Read more" to register and take test. Read more > |  |
Silver Line Windows - "Specifying ENERGY STAR Windows to Satisfy Energy Codes" This course will introduce the regulatory bodies responsible for establishing energy ratings and identify what the different ratings mean. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This course will examine ENERGY STAR’s criteria for recognizing energy-efficient windows and how to specify ENERGY STAR windows for the four different climate zones. Additionally, it will look into the anatomy of energy-efficient windows and the consumer benefits associated with their use. Read more > | |
How Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing Tape Is Used To Mount Glass Curtain Wall Panels An easy, economical and efficient way to mount glass curtain wall panels. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Become familiar with Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing Tape as an alternative to structural silicone for structural glazing in curtain walls; Understand how Acrylic Foram Structural Glazing Tape provides an improved appearance to glass curtain wall; Understand how application of Acrylic Foam Structural Glazing Tape reduces installation time while providing highest quality results. Click "Read more" to download registration and course information. Read more > |  |
Understanding Supplementary Cementitious Materials And Their Benefits SCMs (supplementary cementitious materials) play a key role in the performance and environmental friendliness of concrete, qualities increasingly important to designers and builders. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: The learner will be able to identify slag cement, fly ash, and silica fume as beneficial SCMs; understand the plastic and hardened qualities the SCMs impart to concrete, and how they contribute to increased durability and life cycle extension; and recognize how SCMs contribute to LEED certification. Click "Read more" for supplemental reading. Read more > |  |
Using High-Performance windows in Residential Applications. A new breed of glazings for residential window systems optimizes occupant wellness and increases energy efficiency. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Understanding the impact of window choice on building occupants and the environment. Click "Read more" to download registration and course information. Read more > | |
A primer on the new ASTM standards for High-Performance Wall Systems These all-encompassing standards classify enhanced gypsum wallboards based on performance, eliminating confusion, and maximizing design efficiency. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This article covers how comprehension of the new, industry-wide ASTM Standards for enhanced gypsum wall systems contributes to the durability, design flexibility, and long-term cost efficiency of high-traffic and intense-use areas. Click "Read more" to download registration and course information. Read more > |  |
Burning Issues: Understanding Today’s Fire-Rated Glass and Framing from TGP Technical Glass Products (TGP) representatives conduct educational talks across North America on the fire-rated glass industry and its changing landscape. Please contact us at 1-888-397-FIRE (3473) to schedule an AIA accredited presentation for your firm. Click "Read more" to request information. Read more > |  |
PPG introduces an expanded list of 19 Continuing Education Programs These free programs encompass an array of topics related to architectural glass, high-performance metal coatings and paint. PPG has representatives throughout the country teaching these courses. Each course takes approximately one hour. Click "Read more" to download registration and course information. Read more > | |
Design and Construction with Grouted Reinforced Masonry Specifying materials for grouted reinforced masonry projects requires knowledge of a variety of standards and codes. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This introduction reviews a few essential documents that every designer (architect or engineer) should be familiar with when designing masonry construction, and a few more that may be used less frequently but are still important to have on hand for specific kinds of projects. Please click "Read more" to download course information and supplemental reading PDF. Read more > |  |
What is White Cement? Its Applications, Attributes and Advantages. White Cement has come into its own, as builders and designers look to low-maintenance, highly flexible materials for projects that range from ornate, upscale hotels to safety and security barriers. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: This article covers how the choice of white cement and white-cement concrete can contribute to design flexibility, building durability, and architectural innovation. Click "Read more" to download registration and course information. Visit www.lehighwhitecement.com. Read more > |  |
Windows And Doors For Traditional Residential Design. High performance benefits with the classic American charm. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: The learner will be able to: Describe the principles of New Urbanism and common trends in traditional home design; Match window and entry doors with their respective traditional design style; Identify what modern performance benefits to look for when specifying products for a classical American aesthetic; Understand the anatomy of energy-efficient windows. Click "Read more" to download registration and course information. Read more > | |
Designing with Solid Surface This article covers the performance and aesthetic benefits of solid surface, as well as recommendations for application in homes, restaurants, offices, healthcare facilities and elsewhere. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: the learner will be able to describe the composition of solid surfaces materials, understand the aesthetic options available when designing with solid surface, list the common applications for solid surface, and recognize the performance benefits of solid surface. Click "Read More" for supplemental reading PDF. Read more > |  |
The Eleven Theories Of Window Installation LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Discover the relationship between the Theories of Installation and a successful job; Recognize at least three issues associated with window installation; Identify at least five different tests for inspecting a window installation for various types of windows. Click "Read More" to download registration and course information. Read more > | |