Zonda - Resource Library

Slate has been used for centuries as a long-lasting building material, and its natural beauty is unsurpassed. Today, rainscreen cladding systems have been developed to adapt natural slate to new architectural demands for sustainable building design approaches.

This course explores the energy efficiency and moisture management benefits of a rainscreen system in combination with the durability and versatility of slate. The different designs and fastening systems are reviewed, and case studies demonstrate the advantages and possibilities for sustainable and beautiful slate projects.

A high-performance building enclosure, such as one clad with EIFS with Drainage, provides protection against the elements, contributes to energy efficiency, and is a means to protect the health and well-being of occupants.

This course will cover the performance and design benefits of modern EIFS with Drainage systems, explaining how they have evolved from the first EIFS barrier system into a single-source solution for exterior wall cladding that provides a number of benefits, including Continuous Insulation, compared to other cladding products. EIFS with Drainage also offers unparalleled design flexibility and adaptability.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. This course will provide an overview of the use of composite shingle in a sidewall application; specifically addressing an in-depth look at the characteristics, features, and benefits of the Composite Shingle Category. In addition, it will compare the various types of materials used for shingle siding including installation practices and performance differences based on material composition. Composite shingles provide the authentic look of natural cedar shingles with an improved performance and simplified installation process.

Building materials face deterioration from a variety of threats, the most serious and persistent being water and moisture. When installing masonry (e.g., manufactured stone veneer) or metal building systems, there are many common installation mistakes that can lead to failure, including neglecting to follow moisture management best practices to prevent water intrusion. This course will examine the importance of moisture management in the building envelope and common mistakes to avoid when specifying and installing wall assemblies. We will take a holistic view of water management and how it can impact the building envelope, whether that is manufactured stone veneer, metal, or another material.

Architects are called on to design to increasingly stringent standards for performance, safety, sustainability, and now occupant wellness. The stakes are even higher in a post-pandemic environment that demands even higher performance from building materials. This course will discuss 100% waterproof, sanitary solid polymer ceiling and wall panels products that can withstand the demands of high-traffic environments such as hospitals and schools. We will cover the challenges these applications face and performance measures such as impact, abrasion, and stain resistance that ceiling and wall panels must meet.

Collaboration in architecture is nothing new. However, collaboration between architects and manufacturers is a relatively modern partnership, beginning largely in the early 20th century as new forms of architecture demanded material innovation and new construction technologies. Contemporary trends like Art Deco, Art Moderne, and International style embraced principles of industrialization, and some architects, perhaps most prominently Walter Gropius, espoused the need for the “rationalization, systemization, and standardization” of architecture in an effort to emulate assembly line production without sacrificing individualism. This course will look at some of the history of collaboration between architects and manufacturers and examine the concepts of interchangeable parts manufacturing, collaborative alliances, and mass production and customization. It will also assess several case studies as well as provide tips for creating effective collaborations that can lead to innovation.

Industry demands are always changing and evolving from trend to trend, style to style. You need to choose a window and door supplier that you trust their products will live up to their performance and durability claims.