EdOnline

DESCRIPTION: Understanding a product ’s life cycle impact is central to the selection of materials for any green building. High pressure decorative laminate (HPDL) manufacturers have initiatives in place to reduce waste, energy, and virgin materials in its production. This course introduces HPDL, its performance characteristics, fabrication techniques, and manufacturing processes and the processes and ingredients that make it a sustainable decorative surfacing solution for commercial and residential applications. OBJECTIVES: At the end of this program, participants will be able to: 1) identify the components of HPDL and the performance attributes which make it an environmentally friendly, decorative, surfacing solution, 2) describe the manufacturing and distribution processes of HPDL, and discuss the waste and energy management programs that contribute to reducing a carbon footprint, 3) list the basic and specialty types of HPDL and their performance and physical characteristics, and detail application and installation techniques, 4) assess third-party certifications and testing which identify HPDL as a product which contains recycled content and certified wood fiber, and promotes indoor air quality, and 5) analyze the sustainability benefits, attributes, and performance design criteria of HPDL relative to qualifying for credits under green building programs.