Zonda - Resource Library

Do fireplaces have a role in zero energy projects of our future? The answer is yes, and the optimal solution lies in electric fireplaces. Architects are increasingly focused on Net Zero (NZ), Net Positive (NP), and Zero Energy Ready Homes (ZERH) as a way to reduce the carbon footprint of projects and meet regulatory mandates. Innovative electric fireplace technologies make them a clean heating alternative, providing the look and feel of a real fire without harmful pollutants.

In order to produce a long-lasting, functional structure, any abrasive or erosive forces need to be ameliorated through its design.

This educational unit examines concrete hardening technologies – comparing features and limitations – so the best method can be selected.

Fully customizable, luxury fireplaces and fire features expand the versatility of where hearths can be located, whether in residential or commercial projects. They add a personalized, experiential element to a space, and are increasingly being used in commercial facilities to provide ambience, a focal point, and even marketing, as logos and company names can be incorporated into fireplace designs.

This course will help you understand the technologies and design options available with made-to-order gas fireplaces, as well as how to work with a manufacturer to see a custom fireplace project through from predesign to installation.

Webinar On-Demand: This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. This course will discuss considerations for the holistic design and construction of durable, long-lasting structures that are sustainable, safe and resilient. A building's primary goal is to protect the lives, lifestyles and livelihoods of its occupants. Precast concrete has numerous qualities that can help buildings perform efficiently and offer occupants and communities healthy, flexible and useful spaces that can be effectively utilized over many years. Attendees will have the chance to see and hear case studies of projects that used precast concrete for durability, resilience, and sustainability, and examine important qualities and attributes to consider when specifying the material.

This On Demand CEU is a recorded presentation from a previously live webinar event. Thermal bridging has been recognized as a significant factor in building envelope heat loss and yet traditional construction practices have not effectively addressed many of the causes. Building Better with Thermal Breaks will identify areas most susceptible to thermal bridging and offer solutions that will minimize those heat loss conditions. Designing structural thermal breaks into buildings will improve the comfort, safety, durability, and reduce the environmental impact.

Brick is a timeless look. It can bring out the classic beauty of weathered architecture or let the elements of a modern building shine through. It appears brick is always in style and in demand. The market for brick is growing, too. Designers and builders don’t have to use brick to get the look of brick. Thin brick veneer combines the aesthetic of brick without the weight or cost. It can be used in new builds, renovations, inside and out. Thin brick veneer comes in different varieties and styles, and its flexibility can be used in almost any project.

Home tech is a wild card. Countless gadgets hit the market every year but don't last. Beyond the basics, the best technologies are those that solve real problems. Two of today’s big challenges are how to accommodate home-based work and how to keep the home's occupants healthy.

It's no secret the construction industry in the United States is growing. How do construction companies and contractors keep up with the growth, while battling labor shortages and rising costs? Answer: adopting the right technology.

Baby Boomers are poised to have an outsized impact on the rental housing industry now and into the near future. The aging of the baby boomers is creating a dramatic shift in the age composition of the U.S. population. See what the research says about the future of their housing needs.

Lumber supply and demand has taken home builders on a ride throughout the last year and a half with wild swings in pricing.

To understand where lumber prices will go from here, and what builders can do to adjust to ongoing market volatility, industry experts from building material leader 84 Lumber and commodities tracker Fastmarkets unpack the specifics of what caused the whipsawing in the market over the last 18 months - and provide clues for what may lie ahead.