Master Foundation Design with 182MCAR - Earn 2 Hours CEU Credit

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🏗️ A Firm Foundation

Copyright 2023, Paul F. Spite Two Hours of CEU Credit

📘 Course Overview

Floor failures—whether crumbling, squeaking, or mold growth—often trace back to early design and material choices. This course explores how decisions made from the foundation to the finish flooring determine long‑term durability, safety, and performance.

Participants will learn to evaluate and select construction components that protect against moisture, support structural integrity, and ensure healthy indoor environments.

🎯 Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

• Identify components of a high‑performance floor assembly (grade, crawl space, vapor retarder, framing, insulation, subfloor, underlayment, finish flooring).

• Explain how evolving codes and new materials impact floor system design.

• Recognize vapor drive principles and strategies to prevent moisture intrusion.

• Differentiate between fastener types and their role in combining flooring components.

🛠️ Key Topics

• Foundation Choices: slabs, crawl spaces, basements

• Moisture & Vapor Control: barriers, retarders, repellents

• Framing Systems: sizing, wood limitations

• Insulation: climate separation and material selection

• Fasteners: adhesives vs. mechanical options

• Subflooring: plywood, OSB, high‑performance panels

• Finish Flooring: hardwood, tile, permeability considerations

• Design Scenarios: strategies for hot, humid climates

⏱️ Course Outline (100–120 minutes)

• Introduction & Objectives

• Outside Factors Affecting Performance

• Choices Affecting Air & Water Movement

• Foundations, Framing, Insulation

• Fasteners & Subflooring

• Underlayment & Finish Flooring

• Designing From the Bottom Up

• Research & Recommendations

• Conclusion & Test