Sustainability Continuing Education Course Offered by Sheffield Metals International

SHEFFIELD VILLAGE, OH – Sheffield Metals International (SMI), an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Continuing Education Provider and a leading distributor of coated and bare metal coil and sheet products, offers a 1.0LU/HSW continuing education course for the architectural and design community.

The course, “YES. YOU. CAN. Design for Sustainability, Energy Efficiency, & Embodied Carbon Reduction with Metal Roof & Wall Systems,” provides design professionals with in-depth insights into the sustainability benefits of specifying metal roof and wall systems for architectural projects.

About this Course – This program explores the role of metal roof and wall systems in advancing sustainable design strategies. Architects will learn how these systems support long-term energy performance, durability, and reductions in embodied carbon—key drivers in achieving resilient and environmentally responsible buildings.

Prerequisite Knowledge – Participants should be familiar with designing building envelopes incorporating standing-seam metal roofing and/or architectural metal wall panels. A working knowledge of portable roll forming—both fixed-facility and on-site methods—will also be beneficial.

HSW Justification – The course reviews the materials, methods, and equipment behind the fabrication of architectural metal systems, with a focus on their impact on health, safety, and welfare. Architects will examine how metal cladding systems contribute to the “triple bottom line” of people, planet, and profit through life cycle performance, recyclability, and responsible sourcing.

Learning Objectives

1. Sustainability
Explain how specifying durable, long-lived metal cladding supports sustainable design goals, as demonstrated through Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and the high recyclability of steel and aluminum.

2. Energy Efficiency
Understand how advanced resin-based coatings with solar-reflective pigments mitigate heat gain, reduce cooling loads, and enhance overall building energy efficiency.

3. Embodied Carbon Reduction
Evaluate how on-site fabrication strategies for metal panel systems minimize transportation emissions, packaging waste, and the overall project’s embodied carbon.

4. Sustainable Production of Steel and Aluminum
Compare U.S. advancements in sustainable steel and aluminum production to global benchmarks and understand how material sourcing choices directly influence project sustainability outcomes.

“The biggest takeaway for course attendees will be that once they design for and confirm the construction strategy to be on-site production of the roof and wall system in metal, it will reduce the project’s embodied carbon,” said Lori Reynolds Morrow, Architectural Project Manager at Sheffield Metals.

The presentation is hosted as a distance learning program on the Sheffield Metals website and lasts approximately one hour. It delivers one Learning Unit hour (1 LU/HSW Hour) that includes teaching relevant to HSW, or Health, Safety, and Welfare, for both AIA members and non-members. All AIA member attendees will have their attendance recorded with the AIA, and the Learning Unit Hour will be applied to their records. Sheffield Metals will issue a Certificate of Completion for the online participants who achieve an 80% or higher on the brief 10-question quiz at the end of the course, as the course is applicable for state MCE (mandatory continuing education) licensure.

“In addition to the online version of the course, we offer an in-person program that teaches the same topic to architects, designers, specification writers, project managers, and beyond who want us to come to their location,” said Morrow. “The in-person course offers the same Learning Unit/HSW hour and serves as a fantastic opportunity for firms to receive a more interactive and personalized presentation.” As with the on-line attendees, Sheffield Metals will issue a Certificate of Completion to all in-person program attendees for their participation. 

To learn more about registering for the course or signing up for an in-person presentation, please visit www.sheffieldmetals.com/sustainability-course-details-registration.

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About Sheffield Metals International

Sheffield Metals International, a member of Mazzella Companies, is an industry leader in the distribution of coated and bare metal products, as well as engineered standing seam metal roof systems. The company specializes in providing painted Galvalume® and aluminum for the architectural metal panel industry. Sheffield Metals stocks 40+ colors in Galvalume and several popular colors in aluminum, and can also match virtually any color to suit a particular project. For more, please visit Sheffield Metals at www.sheffieldmetals.com.

Business Contact:
Lori Reynolds Morrow – Architectural Project Manager 
lori.morrow@sheffieldmetals.com
802-431-7878