High-performance glass has become an integral part of commercial, as well as residential, construction. Fortunately, there are many AIA- continuing education courses, from basic to advanced, which focus on this type of product. Here is a selection of courses on the subject of high-performance glass by members of the architectural glass and metal industry.

High-Performance Glass and Energy Cost Issues
Guardian Industries Corp.
The addition of high-performance solar-control coatings to commercial insulating glass offers significant savings to the immediate, and long-term, energy costs of the building. The course uses a simulated 25-story building in Detroit to compare up to seven different glass and coating assemblies to demonstrate a direct energy cost saving, and HVAC capital cost saving, with each assembly.
LU hours: 1 
800/521-9040 or www.guardian.com

Glass Performance Technology
Oldcastle Glass
The course is designed to help participants understand architectural glass products and their application into architectural projects. Discussion topics include coatings and coating technology, glass performance, low-emissivity (low-E glass) and the glass manufacturing process.
LU hours: 1 
847/903-5487 or www.oldcastleglass.com

Designing with Daylight
Viracon
Part of a series of programs by the company designed to provide an approach to maximizing natural daylight while minimizing heat gain into a building, the course shows how different window designs and make-ups affect viewing, occupancy comfort and energy efficiency. There is an explanation of how to tailor a design and daylighting needs using different glass colors, coatings, and glass make-ups.
LU hours: 2
507/444-3137 or www.viracon.com

Glass and Energy: Understanding Glass Options
Pilkington North America
The program discusses how glass affects energy in buildings, explains solar and thermal properties of various products and defines performance terms. Glass product discussion includes low-E, tinted, reflective, textured and fabricated. Glass selection options and the balance of appearance versus performance are also discussed.
LU hours: 1
404/467-4971 or www.pilkington.com

Glass and Energy
TRACO
This one-hour program provides a background for understanding glass in terms of heat loss, heat gain and shading coefficient. There is also discussion of the available options such as tinted, reflective and low-E coatings. The session also provides information on how to reduce sash weights while maintaining glazing performance, the possible effects on mechanical systems and utilizing glazing performance specifications. 
LU hours: 1
800/837-7001 or www.traco.com

The New Generation of Glass Products
PPG Industries
The objective of this course is to familiarize the designer with an understanding of the short-wave solar energy spectrum in relation to the selection of heat absorbtion and glare reduction products.
LU hours: 2
888/774-7732 or www.ppg.com

Glass: The Right Choice
AFG Industries
This program covers glass manufacturing, fabrication, and project design considerations. Included in the course is information on safety glazing, performance characteristics of both pyrolitic and sputter coatings, design and specification options, as well as a general discussion of the glass industry.
LU hours: 1
703/402-7975 or www.afgglass.com

USG
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