Residential Masonry Best Practices
Acquire knowledge how to build durable and cost-effective residential masonry walls that both drain and breathe properly. "Best practice" masonry is different than "code minimum" masonry but does it have to cost any more? You will learn to recognize how to avoid troublesome masonry installations before they result in a dissatisfied homeowner or callbacks. Learn how to do it right it the first place. Topics to be covered include: WI Residential Masonry Code Requirements, Basic Residential Masonry Wall Types, Flashing & Weep Holes, Movement Joints, and Air Barriers
Build A Better Home
Karyn Beebe, P.E. will cover moisture physics, causes of bulk water intrusion, and construction methods to prevent it. Attendees will examine key moisture prone locations such as windows, doors, roof penetrations and attic spaces. The program utilizes photographs showing application mistakes and providing engineered wood solutions.
Top 10 Framing Errors
Karyn Beebe, P.E. will cover common errors in roof sheathing, wall systems, floor sheathing, beams, and joists. The program utilizes photographs showing these application mistakes. Furthermore, the session will provide recommendations on how to specify and detail engineered wood products to avoid construction errors. By being aware of the common pitfalls of design and construction, contractors can prepare drawings and specifications to lessen their liability.
Walls that Work No Matter What (I of II)
Neal Ganser will take a comprehensive look at all the forces of nature acting on the walls (and roofs) of buildings at all times, and why we have had such difficulty in satisfactorily solving this complex equation in our various climate zones. Includes in depth discussion as to how to know the impact of each new product that we add to that building equation (ex: will it retard or foster mold) thru understanding the Six Mechanisms of heat loss and/or gain and several innovative ways to measure the effectiveness of our insulation/air barrier systems.
Wall that Work No Matter What (II of II)
Neal Ganser will continue his discussion of the above session culminating in the introduction of the Climate Isolation System as a solution to the complex building/climate equation, what products may satisfy Climate Isolation and why, and how to get there cost effectively.
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Trade Contractor's Agreement & Lien Law
Brad Dagen will provide attendees an overview of the Metropolitan Builders Association's trade contractor's Agreement. In addition, Mr. Dagen will discuss lien law and proposed changes to the law.
Stop Leaking Profits (I of II)
Systems are central eliminating slippage but very few companies utilize them effectively or consistently. In Part One, Dennis DuRoff, Senior E-Myth Consultant will provide attendees with the tools, strategies and a step-by-step approach that takes the 'mystery' out of systems and makes them accessible to anyone. Learn how to transform frustrations into systems, insure universal implementation, and learn how to depend on the strength of your systems instead of the strengths of your people.
Stop Leaking Profits (II of II)
Build on Part One and learn how to develop specific systems that apply to any company in any industry. You will learn systems that identify and quantify wasted time, how to delegate effectively, a system to deal with superstar employees, and how to have new hires write your training manuals for you and bring them up to speed in 50% less time.
Employment & OSHA Law
Attorneys Jeff Clark and Rob Sholl will share their years of experience in employment and OSHA law.
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Universal Kitchen & Bath Design
Sandy Gordon and Diana Sullivan will present how simple floor planning and the thoughtful selection of fixtures, appliances and design details can make kitchen and bathrooms more functional throughout our lifespan, while still providing the design aspects consumers have come to expect. Topics will be discussed in terms for contractors to easily communicate these concepts to their customers.
Radiant Heat: Trends & Opportunities
Jeff Wilk, Neal Soheim, and Nancy Miller will discuss infrared radiant heat, in-floor heat, and interior design approaches to consider when using these products in new home and remodeling applications.
Creating Architectural Details
Bill Winters will share a variety of architectural details that can be utilized in new home or remodeling applications. The focus will be to showcase the use of drywall and other materials to create additional space and architectural interest to any home or space.
Interior Material Selections
Find out which interior finishes are currently in fashion, which ones are on their way out, and which ones are getting ready to make their debut. Learn about eco-friendly finishes and how to incorporate them into your designs/buildings. Renown interior designers, Falk and Stockton, will have a show and tell of all the beautiful, stylish (and healthy!) finishes you need to know about.
Wisconsin's Drainage Plane System Guidance
Ron Klassen, Pete Lange, and Mary Schroeder will discuss the Association's Drainage Plane System Guidance Document that will provide direction to builders and remodelors when applying a drainage system from roof peak to ground. The industry determined that manufacturers of exterior cladding products oftentimes require a weather resistant barrier to be installed behind their respective product; however, do not specify how to do it or what product standard should be used. Wisconsin's residential code does not have specific code language guiding this practice, which may cause builders and remodelers problems down the road. This session will review the industry's proposal and seek feedback from attendees.
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Building Enclosure
Dr. Joe Lstiburek will discuss why it doesn't make sense to build the same way in Miami, Memphis, Monterey and Minneapolis. It also doesn't make sense to build hospitals, pool enclosures, houses and warehouses the same way. Since it rains a lot more in Seattle than it does in Las Vegas it makes rain control different in these locations. How should we design and build for all these differing exterior and interior climate situations? There are four external hydrothermal climate regions: hot-humid, mixed-humid, cold, and hot-dry. There are also four rain exposure zones: extreme, high, moderate and low. There are also three interior climate classes: warehouse, residential occupancy / office and humidified / pressurized. This session explains the principles of design and construction relating to each climate region, rain exposure and interior climate class. By attending this session, participants will:
- Be able to determine where to put vapor barriers and air barriers in different climate regions
- Know why NOT venting roofs and crawl spaces in certain climates is a good idea
- Be able to select the best ventilation option for different climate zones - supply, exhaust, balanced, enthalpy recovery, dehumidification or humidification
Drainage Planes Above and Below
Dr. Joe Lstiburek will discuss the foundation principles with respect to drainage systems. He will present on topics such as rain, holes and forces; roofs; above grade walls/below grade walls; EIFS; brick veneer; face seal; barrier walls; rain screen; pressure equalization; pressure relief; and water managed systems. Understanding drainage systems and weather resistant barriers will become much more important to Wisconsin builders and remodelers in the coming years - this will be your chance to get up to speed on what they are, how they work, and how to implement a system appropriately.
Retarders and Controlled Ventilation
Dr. Joe Lstiburek will cover Vapor Diffusion Retarders, Air Flow Retarders and Controlled Ventilation during this session. Concepts to be discussed include thermal gradients and condensing surfaces; difference between vapor diffusion and air transported moisture; effect of climate on location of vapor diffusion retarders; impermeable and permeable sheathings; insulating and non-insulating sheathings; exhaust only ventilation; supply only ventilation; and balanced ventilation.
Ventilation: Basement to Roof
Joe Nagan will cover proper ventilation options throughout the home.
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