August’s free webinar series is devoted to surfaces — materials, design and practical applications.
By Dianne M. Pogoda
Few design elements are as influential on the look as well as the practicality of a space as engineered surfaces. From countertops to flooring, surfaces can set the tone of a space and are the subject of August’s free webinar series. These sessions will explore the use of quartz, solid surfacing and other materials in indoor and outdoor applications, in shower drains and with regard to wellness and universal design.
The series is generously sponsored by Caesarstone, a global maker of quartz products for kitchen, bath, wall cladding and other interior design applications.
Each month, NKBA offers free 60-minute webinars, each of which features a presentation by an expert in the specific subject matter, delivered via a virtual platform. The sessions offer certified participants 0.1 CEU per event — it’s an easy way for designers to collect the CEUs needed to maintain NKBA certification. Participants must engage in 80 percent of the live sessions to receive CEU credit; registration closes two hours prior to start times. All webinars begin at 12 noon, Eastern Time. To register, click here, and select “Learn more.”
On Aug. 4, Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, CLIPP, CACC, owner of Timeless Kitchen Design in Seattle, gets things started with “Safe Surfaces & Spaces.” Safety in the home is top-of mind for most people these days. Among the lessons learned from the pandemic is about how potentially unsafe most residential living spaces are. Wellness-oriented home design is a hot topic, and Kennedy will do a deep dive into creating safe transitions from the outside world into inner sanctuaries, and what surfaces best support homeowners’ health on the inside. She’ll look into the surfaces that are easier to maintain or that might naturally resist or reduce germs, and she’ll touch on cleaning solutions. She’ll discuss the ways people interact with the surfaces in their homes, such as whether glare off a surface creates a potential tripping hazard, and talk about which surfaces work best with universal design considerations. Attendees will learn to recognize trends from research as well as consumer habits and needs; identify the categories, products and design implications involved in the wellness movement, and discover how current materials and spaces can be utilized more effectively.
To register for this webinar, click here.
On Aug. 10, Denise Butchko, Retail Channel Manager for CS Connect at Caesarstone USA, hosts “Responding to Increased Demand for Outdoor Living Spaces with Innovative Outdoor Quartz Surfaces.” In this session, attendees will learn about an innovative outdoor quartz product that offers the convenience of stain-resistant, easy-to-clean indoor quartz surfaces, while offering highly durable materials proven to withstand UV rays and the most extreme environmental conditions over the long term. This new quartz product satisfies consumers’ desire to cook, dine and entertain comfortably in an outdoor kitchen, in any weather. Outdoor living spaces continue to be a very desirable amenity for homeowners and commercial properties, and Butchko will show how designers and landscape architects can incorporate outdoor quartz surfaces into their plans. She’ll examine the performance benefits and design options for this new product, as well as applications in all types of projects. Finally, she’ll talk about why outdoor spaces are so popular, the influence of biophilic design, design considerations for outdoor living spaces and how outdoor quartz can be used for different projects. Attendees will learn to evaluate the sustainability properties and design options of outdoor quartz and identify performance measures for quartz surfaces in outdoor environments as well as installation and maintenance guidelines.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Next up, Dan Moilanen, Director of Architectural Services for Noble Co., presents “Going Linear” on Aug. 17. This session provides a step-by-step approach to a growing design trend: Linear Drains. Technical advancements have allowed manufacturers to produce larger dimensional tiles for installation, but the use of those tiles with a typical drain requires relief cuts, which takes away from the design intent. And not all drains are created equal. Attendees will learn about the evolution of linear shower drains, how current models meet needs for sustainable design, as well as the benefits of linear drains in contemporary designs, accessible showers and help ensure safety for users. They’ll learn to describe characteristics of various linear drains and how those characteristics help meet specific project requirements and address environmental concerns. Moilanen will show how to identify the practical considerations in shower designs including drainage capacity and waterproofing systems.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Finally, the series goes past the traditional applications for solid surfacing materials in “Solid Surface: A Look Beyond Countertops.” On Aug 26, Christine J. McDuffie, Regional Sales Leader for Hallmark Building Supplies, takes viewers on a historic tour of what solid surfacing material is, the differences between a polyester-based and an acrylic-based surface, how it has been reinvented over the past 50 years and where it’s headed. She’ll explore fabrication techniques, like thermoforming, backlighting and routing, and illustrate how to incorporate these techniques in residential and commercial applications. McDuffie will also learn about the versatility of the material and show how it can work in unique projects like dog baths, light fixtures, wall features and more with inspirational projects.
To register for this webinar, click here.
