This six part seminar series focuses on roofs, decks, balconies, walkways, vertical penetrations, skylights and tubular daylight devices.

The sessions begin with a review of conditioned and unconditioned attic spaces and the Building Science that describes performance expectations and changes as energy efficiency targets for homes evolve.  Framing considerations to accommodate final architectural form including tips and tricks to improve roof/deck performance that still deliver level thresholds, ornate roof features, and other preferred details.  Solar photovoltaic installations and future proofing for upgrades to solar systems will be explored.  Durable penetration details for mechanical, drainage, chimneys, skylights (pressure plate and dome glass), and tubular daylight devices will be covered and a wide cross section of roofing, decking, plaza, and walkway materials will be reviewed (metal, tile, wood, traditional shingle, liquid and sheet membranes, and others). This series is devoted to increasing awareness about a wide cross-section of material, system and assembly solutions and advantages and challenges for each.
What's on top in residential construction will necessarily change as we enter an era of significantly improved energy performance, and this series will prepare the industry for this transition.
 
For more information please visit www.buildingitright.com

What's On Top Part 1

Part 1 of 6 Building Science for Horizontal Surface Assemblies

3.5 CPD Credits

Performance concerns such as unvented voids, membrane shrinkage, and differential framing settlement will be explained. Also scenarios such as truss uplift, snow load, ice damming, etc will be explored.

What's On Top Part 2

Part 2 of 6 Materials

3.5 CPD Credits

Single ply membranes including balcony vinyl, EPDM, and liquid applies will be reviewed. Installation challenges and opportunities with all roofing materials and approaches will be discussed.  A  brief conversation will be had relating to exotic roofing choices ranging from copper and zinc, to slate, and even thatched roofs.

What's On Top Part 3

Part 3 of 6 Roofs

3.5 CPD Credits

Insulation options for attics including the use of spray polyurethane foam insulation, inverted roof membrane assemblies, flash-and-fill, and more traditional approaches will be presented.  Phenomena such as night sky cooling, ice damming, and attic condensation will be described, and other factors affecting performance will be discussed (effective ventilation requirement, controlling mechanical discharge locations and re-configuring home design to take advantage of conditioned attic spaces for alternate purposes such as mechanical system installation and even storage.

What's On Top Part 4

Part 4 of 6 Balconies, Decks and Walkways Over or Adjacent to Living Spaces

3.5 CPD Credits

Single ply membranes including balcony vinyl, EPDM, and liquid applies will be reviewed and challenges and opportunities with various materials and approaches will be discussed

What's On Top Part 5


Part 5 of 6 Vertical Penetrations Through Horizontal Membranes and Water Shredding Surfaces and System Reinforcement

3.5 CPD Credits
Materials, details and cautions when approaching these penetrations. Failures can result in claims and a large amount of both immediate and long term damage. Also considered will be designing and installing extra structure to accommodate the immediate or future installation of various appliances for sustainable energy such as solar voltaic panels.


What's On Top Part 6

Part 6 of 6 Skylight and Tubular Daylight Devices Including Details for Installation.

3.5 CPD Credits


Many installation procedures are left to "others" to complete. These are common failure points and can lead to serious issues that need to be fixed fast. This part outlines industry accepted details and installation procedures to avoid costly errors. The installation of these appliances often involve more than one trade so a good understanding of the desired outcome is necessary.