Learning Center

Built on Coil Coating Expertise

The Steelscape Learning Center offers technical education grounded in real‑world coil‑coating experience. These courses are designed to support architects, specifiers, manufacturers, and industry professionals in understanding coated steel and aluminum performance.

Learning Formats

  • On Demand: Self-paced and available online through AEC Daily.
  • Webinar: Available as an online fixed-date course, or you can request a date that suits your group.
  • In-Person: Take the course on-site at one of our production facilities (Rancho Cucamonga, CA or Kalama, WA). This includes a tour of steel production and coating facilities.

Please note that the Webinar and In-Person format require a minimum of a 4-week advanced notice, minimum group size (10), and presenter availability.

1-Hour Professional Development Courses

This course introduces the fundamentals of pre‑painted metal, with a focus on how coatings are applied at the coil level and why that process matters. Topics include paint system components, substrate selection, and the relationship between coating decisions and long‑term performance.

Participants gain a practical understanding of how pre‑painted metal is manufactured and what to consider when specifying coated steel or aluminum.

Course Objectives:

  • Understand pre-painted metal fundamentals, the paint application process and the advantages of this process relevant to exterior building applications.
  • Identify the three common types of paint systems, their differences, and appropriate applications.
  • Recognize the enhancement options available for pre-painted metal and how they can be modified specifically to project needs.

Identify pre-painted metal durability issues, their causes and applicable warranty considerations for end building users.

AIA CES Learning Units: 1.0 AIA/CES Learning Units

On Demand Course
Request Webinar or In-person Course

This course explores aluminum‑zinc coated steel and its role in corrosion protection and durability. It covers how metallic coatings perform, where they are commonly specified, and how paint systems and design choices influence overall performance.

Ideal for those looking to better understand substrate selection and performance considerations in demanding environments.

Course Objectives:

  • Understand what an aluminum-zinc metallic steel coating is
  • Identify common aluminum-zinc metallic coated steel roof types
  • Recognize how to design an aluminum-zinc metallic coated steel roof for longevity
  • Appreciate how to install and maintain an aluminum-zinc coated steel roof for longevity

AIA CES Learning Units: 1.0 AIA/CES Learning Units

Request Webinar or In-person Course

This course explores how metal roofing color selection supports performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability goals. It covers solar reflectance considerations and how color and finish choices align with requirements in LEED® v4.1, SITES® v2, and WELL v2. Real‑world examples demonstrate how metal roofing colors contribute to design intent and sustainability outcomes.

Course Objectives:

Participants will learn how metal roofing color and finish selection can:

  • Support heat‑island reduction strategies and cool roof requirements
  • Be evaluated using recognized solar reflectance metrics
  • Contribute to responsible material sourcing and sustainability goals
  • Improve thermal comfort in outdoor environments

AIA CES Learning Units: 1.0 AIA/CES Learning Units/ HSW

On Demand Course

About the Presenter

During live presentations, you can participate in the Q&A with Michelle Vondran of Steelscape.

Michelle Vondran

Product Innovation and Technology Manager

Michelle Vondran is the Product Innovation and Technology Manager for NS BlueScope Coated Products, North America. Michelle graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. She started her career as a research chemist with Morton (later BASF) coil coatings with a focus on polymers. That position included lab development, lab-to-production, scale-up, and manufacturing quality and process control.

Eventually, Michelle’s focus shifted to cool pigmentation, where she brought the first cool coil coatings to market. She was active in the Cool Roof Rating Council and Energy Star Roofing Program. She initially joined Steelscape as a Quality Engineer for the Rancho Cucamonga, CA, paint line. She has held several positions, including Quality Systems Manager, Technical Manager, and now the position of Product Innovation and Technology. She oversees product and process development, product performance criteria, and warranties.

Michelle is an active National Coil Coaters Association board member, sitting on the technical committee, and a Zinc-Aluminum Coaters Association member.