The Intersection of Design, Durability, and Panelized Railings in Outdoor Living

About the Sponsor

Wolf Home Products was founded in 1843 as a single store selling dry goods and lumber on the banks of Pennsylvania’s Susquehanna River. During the first half of the 1900s, the company expanded into a mid-Atlantic wholesale and retail lumber operation with 30 locations. By the early 2000s, Wolf transitioned its successful lumber operation into a sourcing organization, offering kitchen, bath, and building products to exclusively to independent building materials dealers. Wolf Home Products continued its growth with the introduction of Wolf-branded product lines in 2010. Today, the company is committed to product and geographic expansion, servicing 3,500+ dealers nationally and in Canada.

Wolf Home Products

Course questions/comments

800-234-9653

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 • Season 1, Episode 8

The Blueprint for Outdoor Living

This course examines how panelized railing systems influence project outcomes through material selection, fabrication precision, protective coatings, and installation strategies. Participants will explore how design decisions impact lifecycle performance, maintenance requirements, and long-term durability in exterior conditions. The course also reviews key code considerations, inspection requirements, and industry trends shaping the specification of exterior elevated elements. Through practical discussion and real-world application examples, design professionals will gain insights into selecting and specifying railing systems that support safe, durable, and well-coordinated outdoor living environments.

Learning Objectives:

Define panelized railing systems and explain how they differ from traditional site-fabricated railing approaches in terms of constructability, coordination, and consistency.
Evaluate how materials, fabrication methods, and protective coating systems influence durability, corrosion resistance, and long-term exterior performance.
Identify building code, inspection, and compliance factors that impact the design and specification of railing systems used in outdoor living environments.
Explain how prefabrication and installation strategies can improve construction efficiency, reduce variability, and contribute to safer project outcomes.
Apply lifecycle and maintenance considerations when selecting railing systems to support long-term performance, occupant protection, and building resilience.

Professions:

Architecture

Design Category:

(08) Doors, Windows and Openings

Podcast Host:

Megan Vipond

With a Master’s degree in Architecture, Megan has a unique blend of technical expertise and practical experience. She has a foundation in architectural design and an understanding of both design and construction processes, honed through years of hands-on project coordination and fostering on-site relationships. Currently, as a Specification Consultant, she works closely with architects to introduce innovative new products and navigate the latest advancements in the industry.

Podcast Guest(s):

Jason Foura

Since graduating from Bucknell University, Jason has held sales, corporate training and management positions with various building products companies, including Cooper Tools, Pella Windows and Doors, and AZEK Building Products. He joined WOLF in 2010 as a decking product manager and is currently the VP of Market Development overseeing the architectural and down-streaming efforts to the contractor base.

Jeff Surovi

Jeff has been an active member of the building materials supply industry for over 40 years. His background includes two-step distribution and manufacturing, primarily in fenestration. Jeff has been with KEYLINK for 3 years. Jeff is a 30 + year member of the Construction Specifications Institute and is credentialed as both a Certified Construction Products Representative (CCPR) and Construction Documents Technologist (CDT).

John Kovolyan

John Kovolyan is the Regional Sales Manager for the Great Lakes and Southeast Regions of Fortress Railing Products, where he also serves as the Architectural Strategy Lead. As the son of a residential general contractor, John has been immersed in the construction and building materials industry his entire life, developing a deep understanding of how products are specified, sold, and installed.

Kevin Burt

Kevin Burt is the Vice President of Innovation at PrimeSource Building Products, specializing in the Outdoor Living category. A 30-year veteran of the building products industry and a former leader at Fortress Building Products, Kevin oversees R&D, industrial design, and engineering. He is a passionate advocate to solve problems with innovative solutions to grow revenue and market share in the outdoor living products sector.

Applicable Credits

AAA

Structured Learning Hour