Specifying to Avoid Paint Failure – The Importance of Paint Selection

Architects have an important role to play in proper surface preparation and coatings selection through project-specific painting specification. It’s important for architects and designers to be actively involved in the specifying process and to understand the limitations, benefits, and features of different paints and coatings.

This course will help the learner to understand the main causes of paint and coating failures, the importance of proper surface preparation for various substrates, and problem-solving primers and other coating technologies that can help improve the longevity of structures.

Register

Biobased Coatings: The Next Step on the Path to Circularity in the Built Environment (Print Course)

Over the past two decades the building industry has made significant strides toward building more intentionally and sustainably. Architects have greatly impacted this revolution by embracing innovative technologies that are more energy- and water-efficient, are less toxic to the environment and building occupants, and are more sensitive to how raw materials are extracted and sourced. Another important goal in protecting the climate and natural resources is to move away from a single-use mindset and embed circular economic principles into design and living. Many believe the next step in improving the sustainability and circularity of the built environment is biobased products, including paints, coatings, and sealers.

This course will discuss the environmental impact of petroleum-based coatings; the building blocks and future implications for biobased coatings; and new biobased products for use in wall, trim, floor, and roof coatings.

Register

Coatings Failures: Corrosion of Metals

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Metal coating failures can have catastrophic consequences. This course identifies causes of corrosion with ferrous and non-ferrous metal substrates. In addition, the course will examine premature metal coating failures and how to prevent these failures.

By understanding the proper surface preparation of metal the course will help specifiers understand the proper application methods that extend protective performance of the surface. Finally, the course will review SSPC/NACE standards, definition and implementation to enhance performance of metal coating applications.

Register

Specifying Low-VOC Architectural and Industrial Maintenance Coatings to Meet Air Quality Standards (Print Course)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemicals emitted as gases from certain solids and liquids, including architectural and industrial maintenance coatings. VOCs are the leading cause of ground-level air pollution and indoor air pollution, which can adversely impact the health of building occupants.

This course will examine the importance of indoor air quality and how it is impacted by VOCs. We will discuss how VOCs are regulated at both the federal and state level, including exemptions, classifications, and how these regulations affect Architectural and Industrial Maintenance (AIM) Coatings. There are new regulations on the horizon that you should be aware of, as coating manufacturers work to develop products that achieve a balance between important performance and application factors and their environmental ramifications. The course will also explore coating technologies that already meet strict VOC standards.

Register

The Energy of Color

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Color energy perception is based on sources, experiences and biology. We will discuss the factors that influence a person’s color perception and preferences.

This course strives to explain why we and our clients may perceive color differently including analyzing color energy perception based on solar and artificial light and exploring what factors shape a person’s favorite or least favorite color and the various influences on color preference.

Register

The Future of Urbanization (Print Course)

Today, more than half of us live in cities, and by 2050, this proportion is expected to increase to 67%. As urbanization becomes a global trend, the struggle to efficiently and sustainably grow our cities will only intensify. More people need more buildings, more energy, and more infrastructure, and this puts increased pressure on resources and the environment.

The challenges we face can seem daunting, but the good news is that raw material suppliers, building material manufacturers, architects, and engineers are creating innovative solutions that can help the building industry rise to meet these challenges in order to build the sustainable and resilient cities of the future.

This course will explore what the future of urbanization could look like through the lens of energy reduction, power supply, and efficient construction. We will examine innovative materials and technologies that will help cities, and their citizens, thrive as we make our way through the 21st century.

Register

Exploring High-Performance Protective Coatings for Steel in Architectural Applications (Print Course)

High-performance coatings are used in a wide variety of industries to protect steel construction from corrosion. Corrosion protection coatings are an indispensable contribution to the long-term preservation of valuable capital investments worldwide. However, choosing the best corrosion protection system for the intended application is the most important consideration to achieve long-term protection. The coatings industry is continually innovating with new technologies for primers, basecoats, and topcoats. This course will examine how high-performance protective coatings prevent corrosion in the built environment and how they are increasingly being used for architectural applications.

Register

Value of Paint

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. In this course you will understand the four basic components of paint and their impact on paint quality and performance, the improvements in Latex vs. (alkyd) Oil – base resin technologies, understand the impact of paint air pollution regulations and limits of VOC – Volatile Organic Compounds – in modern coatings and understand the characteristics of quality paints and coatings.

Register