55 Questions
Which type of foundation is less expensive and quicker to construct?
Concrete Slab Foundations
What is the purpose of stem walls in a crawlspace foundation?
To support the concrete slab
How deep should the footings for a basement foundation be placed?
Below the frost line
In which areas are pier and beam foundations commonly used?
Coastal areas
What type of pillars are used in pier and beam foundations to support the weight of the house?
Wooden pillars
Which of the following is NOT a material that can be used to make headers in a wall?
Concrete
What is the purpose of jack studs in a wall?
To support the weight of the header
What are cripple studs used for in a wall?
To fill the on-center positions of interrupted studs
Which two types of boards are used to frame a basic wall?
2x4 and 2x6
What are the common on-center spacings for wall studs?
16 in. and 24 in.
What are the components used to frame rough openings for windows and doors?
Headers, king studs, jack studs, saddles, and cripples
Which type of ceiling is generally finished with drywall and painted over to create a seamless surface?
Flat
What type of ceiling lends a very spacious feel to a room due to its height?
Vaulted
Which type of ceiling is characterized by sloping sides and a central point that is much higher than the two sides?
Cathedral
Which type of insulation is used to create an unvented roof assembly by installing it on top of the roof sheathing?
Rigid foam board insulation
What is the purpose of using air-impermeable insulation in an unvented roof assembly?
To prevent condensation on the roof deck
Which of the following techniques requires the installation of spray foam on the underside of the roof sheathing?
Spray Foam Under Roof Sheathing
Which type of ceiling is known for creating cozy nooks in attic levels and increasing the airiness of living rooms with vaulted ceilings?
Sloped ceiling
Which roof style consists of four equal-length slopes that meet to form a simple ridge?
Hip roof
Which roof style features two sides with two slopes each, one steep and one gentle?
Gambrel roof
Which type of attic has vents installed at the soffits and at or near the ridge, and baffles installed at each soffit vent to provide a pathway for ventilation air?
Vented attic
Which material can be used to air seal joist bay openings in an attached garage?
Rigid foam board
What should be done when using I-joists to fill the irregular shape of the opening?
Cut the blocking to fit
Which material can be used to insulate the rim joist in an attached garage?
Spray foam insulation
What type of foam insulation provides acceptable results for insulating the rim joist?
Medium-density closed-cell foam
What is the thickness range and density requirement for spray foam at rim joists in basement and crawlspace applications without a thermal barrier?
Thickness less than 3.25 inches, density range of 0.5 to 2.0 pounds per cubic foot
Which material is commonly used to enhance glazing in windows?
Argon
What is the purpose of storm sashes in windows?
To improve energy efficiency
What are the vertical window components of a sash called?
Stiles
Which slope range is recommended for a south-facing skylight in Columbus, Ohio, at 40° north latitude to optimize solar heat gain in winter and minimize solar heat gain in summer?
40° to 50°
What is the purpose of installing a curb and flashing when installing a skylight?
To prevent water leaks
What should be done to avoid water leaks with skylights?
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines
Which material is the least energy efficient when comparing wood vs. fiberglass vs. steel doors?
Wood
What is the main advantage of steel doors over wood and fiberglass doors?
Higher durability
Which type of door material is typically the least chosen based on aesthetic appeal?
Steel
What is a key factor to consider when choosing between wood, fiberglass, and steel doors for your home?
All of the above
Which type of skylight provides the greatest potential for desirable winter passive solar heat gain than any other location?
South-facing skylights
What is the most commonly used material for skylight glazing?
Glass
Which shape of skylight allows light to enter from more extreme angles than flat or warped plane units?
Pyramidal
How does the slope or tilt of a skylight affect solar heat gain?
A low slope admits more solar heat in the summer and less in the winter
Which type of window is suitable for balconies or creating space partitions if your house is large enough?
Fixed Window
Which type of door is more suitable for toilets and entrance doors?
Swing / Casement Door
What feature of ENERGY STAR qualified windows helps prevent condensation?
Spacers
What is the purpose of using low emissivity ("low-E") glass in ENERGY STAR qualified windows?
To reflect ultraviolet (UV) light
Which factor measures how well a window insulates?
U-Factor
What does the SHGC measure?
How much of the sun's heat comes through the window
Which type of windows offer better insulation and noise reduction capabilities?
Triple-pane windows
What does the "e" in low-e glass stand for?
Emissivity
Which direction should windows face in a completely passive solar home?
South
What is the purpose of the absorber in passive solar design?
To store heat
What is the difference between the absorber and thermal mass in passive solar design?
The absorber is an exposed surface, while thermal mass is the material below
Which of the following is NOT a heat-movement mechanism in passive solar design?
Conduction
What can be used to control temperature in a passive solar design?
All of the above
Which material is commonly used as thermal mass in passive solar homes?
Concrete
What is the purpose of a Trombe wall in a passive solar design?
To store heat between glass and space
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