Building Material Fundamentals

Which WRLA Courses is right for you?

LEGEND

Entry Level

Red square representing the role of new hires New Hires

Gold circle representing the role of customer service Customer Service

Dark purple pentagon representing the role of sales staff Sales Staff

Dark blue diamond representing the role of marketing staff Marketing Staff

Pinkish red octagon on a 22.5 angle representing the role of merchandising Merchandising

Mid Level

Dark green hexagon representing the role of procurement and purchasing Procurement and Purchasing

Light blue triangle representing the role of HR staff HR Staff

Horizontal purple rectangle representing the role of estimators Estimators

Vertical light yellow oval representing the role of project manager Project Manager

Vertical light green rectangle representing the role of yard and/or warehouse staff Yard and/or Warehouse Staff

High Level

Light blue octagon representing the role of ownership/management Ownership/Management

Horizontal light pink oval representing the role of administration Administration

Upside down light purple triangle representing the role of equpment and material handlers Equipment and Material Handlers

Building Material Fundamentals (BMF Series)

Audience:

Red square representing the role of new hires Gold circle representing the role of customer service Dark purple pentagon representing the role of sales staff Dark blue diamond representing the role of marketing staff Pinkish red octagon on a 22.5 angle representing the role of merchandising Dark green hexagon representing the role of procurement and purchasing Light blue triangle representing the role of HR staff Horizontal purple rectangle representing the role of estimators

Member Cost: Free (with membership)

Elevate your knowledge in residential construction with the 'Building Material Fundamentals Series'. Included free with your WRLA membership and developed by industry experts, these courses provide a concise yet comprehensive understanding of Canadian building materials.

Topics Covered:

  • Lumber Fundamentals
  • Exterior and Interior Building Materials
  • Additional Courses

Exterior Building Material Fundamentals

  • Building envelope
  • Sheathing
  • Roofing
  • Siding
  • Doors & Windows
  • Decks
  • Paint

Interior Building Material Fundamentals

  • Insulation
  • Drywall
  • Doors & Windows
  • Millwork Moulding
  • Floor Covering
  • Kitchen and Bath Cabinets
  • Electrical
  • Paint

Additional Courses

  • Understanding commodity pricing & market volatility
  • Sustainability in the Building Materials Industry
  • Safety fundamentals
  • Building Codes & Regulations
  • Software Application Essentials
  • Additional interior courses including Trusses, Metal (studs, decking, and railing), and Interior Finishing

Other Courses

Online Industry Terminology

Audience:

Red square representing the role of new hires Gold circle representing the role of customer service Dark purple pentagon representing the role of sales staff Dark blue diamond representing the role of marketing staff Horizontal purple rectangle representing the role of estimators

Online, Self-paced learning
Duration: 8 hours

Member Cost: $149
Non-Member Cost: $349

This class is your key to unlocking insider knowledge! Going through this course will give you ease and familiarity with terms that would otherwise take years of trial and error to learn.  Dive into this in-depth look at all the components you’ll come across when creating a customer estimate (takeoff). You will learn about fences, decks, garage floors, main and subfloor framing, garage walls, roofs (residential and garage), trusses, as well as interior assembly.

Who's it for? This course has been designed for people brand new to the building industry or for those stepping into the new role of an estimator.

Register for Terminology Course
top view of a person holding a pencil on top of plywood. Both are on a wooden table along with tools and

Online Blueprint Reading

Audience:

Dark purple pentagon representing the role of sales staff Dark green hexagon representing the role of procurement and purchasing Horizontal purple rectangle representing the role of estimators Vertical light yellow oval representing the role of project manager

Online, Self-paced learning​.
Duration: 8 hours

Member Cost: $499
Non‐Member Cost: $699

Are you looking to better understand the information found on working drawings for the purpose of estimating? This course covers the basic content of residential working drawings. It includes several different types of drawings to help students become familiar with all aspects of blueprint reading. Upon completion of this class, students will have a good understanding of house plans and be able to:

  • Identify the information included in title blocks, cover sheets and schedules
  • Realize the liability and contractual obligations arising from working with blueprints
  • Differentiate between items shown in the section and in elevation and the importance of the ‘cut plane’
  • Calculate vertical and horizontal dimensions in both imperial and metric
  • Recognize building terms, abbreviations and symbols common to the building industry

Comprehend the information included on-site plans, including grades, slope and setbacks.

Register for Blueprint Reading
close up of a person drawing graphs or building outlines on paper with a black pen

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