Recent Articles
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): A Guide for Architects
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are like nutrition labels on a food product, but geared toward environmental and sustainable attributes. EPDs include the product’s life cycle assessment, from the raw material extraction to its disposal, so we can measure a product’s environmental impact.
Roof Shapes and Styles
This article describes a number of common roof shapes and styles used on buildings around the world. We also provide graphics of each roof style.
Architectural Hatch Patterns
Architects use hatch patterns in their drawings to represent different materials and to make their drawings easier to read. This article includes examples of the most common material hatch patterns.
Green Building Product Certifications
Sustainable products are identified by various certifications. The certifications can be first-part or third-party verified. Certifications follow many standards. Learn how to understand the different product certifications.
Fabrics and Textiles for Interiors and Furniture
Fabrics and textiles are used in architecture and interior design for upholstery, wall panels, and window treatments. This article discusses the various types of natural and synthetic fabric. We also cover selection criteria and specification concerns.
Popular Articles
Calculating Slope and Common Slopes in Architecture
Learn how to calculate slopes in degrees, percentage, and gradient. We also provide a table of slopes commonly used in architecture and construction, plus a table of roof slopes.
CAD Scale Factors
Architectural and engineering scale factors for use in Computer Aided Design.
Dimensional Lumber Sizes: Nominal vs. Actual
A table of lumber sizes that includes the actual lumber dimensions as well as the nominal sizes. This includes softwood, hardwood, and glue laminated lumber.
Concrete Block (CMU) Sizes, Shapes, and Finishes
Concrete masonry Unit (CMU) sizes for standard CMUs - includes both nominal and actual dimensions. Also covers the various CMU shapes and finishes as well as the common ASTM manufacturing standards.
R-values of Insulation and Other Building Materials
Covers insulation R-values and R-factors for other common building materials. We also discuss U-Factors.