Construction Basics and Area Formulas

What is the formula for determining the area of a trapezoid?

What is the formula for determining the area of a triangle?

What is the formula for determining the area of a circle?

On-center is a term to describe the distance from the center of one framing member to the center of the next framing member.

Select the false statement regarding sheathing.

Which of the following components is not a part of a roof truss?

Spaced (open) sheathing is normally used with composition shingles.

Composition shingles can be purchased in bundles which could be ⅓ square or ¼ square.

Blanket insulation is an uncut roll of insulation cut to length at the job site.

Select the false statement about composition shingles.

Non-masonry siding products are usually measured by the square foot, but typically sold by the square (100 SF) or by the piece.

Select the false statement about vinyl cladding.

How many trusses (16" o.c.) are in a 35' 6" long gable roof with no overhang on the gable ends?

According to the 'Average Size Door Opening Guideline,' a missing wall measuring 3'0" wide x 6'8" high would generally be subtracted from the quantity of drywall needed for that room.

How many square feet (SF) of drywall are on the walls and ceiling for a room measuring 15' 3" long, 13' 5" wide with a ceiling height of 8', considering the openings?

Area Formulas

Area of a trapezoid: (\frac{(Base1 + Base2)}{2} \times Height)
Area of a triangle: (\frac{1}{2} \times Base \times Height)
Area of a circle: (\pi r^2)

Framing and Sheathing

"On-center" refers to the distance between the centers of two framing members (e.g., studs, joists).
Common materials for sheathing include plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), fiberboard, and rigid insulating panels.
Sheathing serves to reinforce wall framing, adds rigidity, strength, and some insulation.

Roof Trusses

Components of a roof truss include: Top Chord, Bottom Chord, Web, and Gussets.
"Bird's Mouth" is not considered a standard component of a roof truss.

Composition Shingles

Composition shingles are sold in bundles, which can be either ⅓ square or ¼ square.
Shingle weights range from 120 lbs to 480 lbs per square.

Insulation Types

Blanket insulation is a pre-cut roll, used in walls and attics, potentially featuring backing material.

Siding Products

Non-masonry siding (wood, aluminum, vinyl, steel) is measured by the square foot but sold by the square (100 SF).
Vinyl siding is produced from rigid PVC, known for its durability, while aluminum siding is finished with baked-on enamel.

Calculations and Measurements

For a gable roof 35' 6" long, with trusses 16" on center, the count is 28 trusses.
When calculating drywall needs, a missing wall opening (e.g., 3'0" x 6'8") does not reduce the total drywall quantity.
For a room measuring 15' 3" by 13' 5" with specific openings, the total drywall area equals 458.72 SF.

Test your knowledge on essential construction concepts, including area formulas for various shapes, framing techniques, roof truss components, and insulation types. This quiz covers fundamental topics in building and construction that are crucial for any aspiring builder or architect.