Question 1

The lower the R-value of insulation, the less heat passes through the material, and therefore, the greater the insulation level.

Accepted Answer

The statement is incorrect. The higher the R-value of insulation, the greater the insulating effectiveness. R-value is a measure of thermal resistance, and a higher value indicates better insulation.

Question 2

Asphalt shingles are the most common form of roofing in the United States, comprising _____ of the residential roofing market.
A) one-third
B) two-thirds
C) one-half
D) three quarters

Accepted Answer

According to industry statistics, asphalt shingles comprise approximately two-thirds of the residential roofing market in the United States.

Question 3

Portland cement has low embodied energy.

Accepted Answer

Portland cement is known for having high embodied energy, as it requires high temperatures and energy to produce.

Question 4

The benefits of treated lumber make it ideal for use in green-built structures.

Accepted Answer

Treated lumber often contains chemicals that can be harmful to the environment and human health, which contradicts the principles of green building that prioritize sustainability and non-toxic materials.

Question 5

Slate tiles are not recommended for hot, sunny climates.

Accepted Answer

Slate tiles can absorb heat and become very hot, which can cause them to crack or fade in color over time in hot, sunny climates. They are better suited for cooler climates with less direct sun exposure.

Question 6

Living roofs _____ .
A) heat roof surfaces
B) decrease the longevity of existing roof membranes
C) can fail with storm runoff
D) reduce energy requirements for cooling

Accepted Answer

Living roofs help to reduce energy requirements for cooling by providing insulation and absorbing some of the heat that would otherwise be absorbed by a traditional roof surface.

Question 7

Mineral wool generally has a lower embodied energy than fiberglass due to its recycled content.

Accepted Answer

Mineral wool typically contains a higher percentage of recycled content than fiberglass, which reduces its embodied energy.

Question 8

Which of the following flooring types has a life-expectancy of 30-50 years?
A) bamboo
B) carpet
C) laminate
D) vinyl

Accepted Answer

Bamboo flooring has a life-expectancy of 30-50 years, making it the best choice among the given options. Carpet and laminate flooring have a shorter lifespan of 10-20 years, while vinyl flooring typically lasts around 25 years.

Question 9

Brick and stone siding _____ .
A) can last 50-100 years or more
B) are not recyclable
C) do not require extra support
D) are all low-embodied energy products

Accepted Answer

Brick and stone siding can last for 50-100 years or more, making them a durable option for siding. However, they are not recyclable and do require extra support due to their weight. Additionally, while they have lower embodied energy compared to some other materials, they are not considered low-embodied energy products.

Question 10

Today worldwide distribution makes available an enormous range of material options and empowers diverse design possibilities.

Accepted Answer

With worldwide distribution, designers can access a wide variety of materials from different parts of the world, allowing for more diverse design options.

Question 11

Which of the following composite boards is least likely to contain a binding agent?
A) Particleboard
B) Hardboard
C) Plywood
D) Strandboard

Accepted Answer

Hardboard is typically made from compressed wood fibers using only heat and pressure, without any binding agents. The other options (particleboard, plywood, and strandboard) all typically use a binding agent such as glue to hold the board together.

Question 12

_____ measures the sustainability and renewability of a resource.
A) Embodied energy
B) Environmental degradation
C) Resource depletion
D) Performance and durability

Accepted Answer

Resource depletion is the measure of how quickly a resource is being used up or consumed, and therefore its sustainability and renewability. Embodied energy measures the total energy required to produce a product or material, environmental degradation refers to damage or harm done to the environment, and performance and durability refer to how well a product or material performs over time.

Question 13

_____ is produced by chipping logs into strands, cross-aligning the strands, spraying each layer with a binding agent, and squeezing the layers together under high pressure.
A) Plywood
B) Particleboard
C) Medium-density fiberboard (MDF)
D) Oriented strand board (OSB)

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question is the production method for oriented strand board (OSB). Plywood is made by layering thin sheets of wood veneer, particleboard is made from wood particles and glue, and MDF is made from fine wood fibers and glue.

Question 14

_____ are durable, fireproof, and recyclable but often have high embodied energy due to fossil fuels used in kiln baking.
A) Cedar shakes
B) Fiber-cement tiles
C) Clay tiles
D) Slate tiles

Accepted Answer

Clay tiles are a good choice because they are durable, fireproof, and recyclable. However, they do have high embodied energy due to fossil fuels used in kiln baking.

Question 15

Toxic chemicals volatilize from asphalt in sunlight and leach from it in rain, making asphalt shingles unsuitable for rain catchment systems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Toxic chemicals volatilize from asphalt in sunlight...

Question 16

Thermal breaks not only save energy but also prevent undue condensation.

Accepted Answer

Thermal breaks help to reduce the transfer of heat and cold through building materials, which can prevent condensation from forming on surfaces where temperature differences occur. As a result, they can help to improve overall energy efficiency and reduce the risk of damage caused by dampness and mold.

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding treated lumber is true?
A) Despite adding toxicity to a building, treated lumber has several benefits.
B) Treated lumber must come from slow-growing species of trees.
C) Treated lumber is toxic to fungi and insects but is harmless to humans.
D) Green construction should employ the use of treated lumber.

Accepted Answer

Treated lumber does have several benefits such as increased durability and resistance to insects and rot. However, it does add toxicity to a building and should be used with caution, particularly in green construction. Slow-growing species of trees are not necessarily required for treated lumber, and it is not entirely harmless to humans.

Question 18

The relatively slow outgassing of phenol-formaldehyde glue (in plywood) reduces its toxicity, which makes its use acceptable even in spaces with poor ventilation.

Accepted Answer

Phenol-formaldehyde glue, while emitting lower levels of formaldehyde over time compared to some other adhesives, still poses health risks, especially in poorly ventilated spaces, due to its potential to release formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.

Question 19

Whereas most forms of siding adhere to exterior walls, brick and stone must be supported by the building foundation because of their extreme weight.

Accepted Answer

Brick and stone are extremely heavy and cannot be supported solely by the exterior walls. They require a solid foundation to support their weight.

Question 20

Made of Portland cement, lime, and sand, ______ is fireproof and largely maintenance-free.
A) fiber-cement
B) kiln-fired brick
C) engineered cement
D) stucco/plaster

Accepted Answer

The mix of Portland cement, lime, and sand is commonly used for stucco or plaster, which is fireproof and requires minimal maintenance. Fiber-cement and engineered cement are also fire-resistant, but they are not necessarily maintenance-free. Kiln-fired brick is also fireproof, but it is not made of the same materials as stucco or plaster.

Quiz 2: Building Materials

The lower the R-value of insulation, the less heat passes through the material, and therefore, the greater the insulation level.

Asphalt shingles are the most common form of roofing in the United States, comprising _____ of the residential roofing market.

Portland cement has low embodied energy.

The benefits of treated lumber make it ideal for use in green-built structures.

Slate tiles are not recommended for hot, sunny climates.

Living roofs _____ .

Mineral wool generally has a lower embodied energy than fiberglass due to its recycled content.

Which of the following flooring types has a life-expectancy of 30-50 years?

Brick and stone siding _____ .

Today worldwide distribution makes available an enormous range of material options and empowers diverse design possibilities.

Which of the following composite boards is least likely to contain a binding agent?

_____ measures the sustainability and renewability of a resource.

_____ is produced by chipping logs into strands, cross-aligning the strands, spraying each layer with a binding agent, and squeezing the layers together under high pressure.

_____ are durable, fireproof, and recyclable but often have high embodied energy due to fossil fuels used in kiln baking.

Toxic chemicals volatilize from asphalt in sunlight and leach from it in rain, making asphalt shingles unsuitable for rain catchment systems.

Thermal breaks not only save energy but also prevent undue condensation.

Which of the following statements regarding treated lumber is true?

The relatively slow outgassing of phenol-formaldehyde glue (in plywood) reduces its toxicity, which makes its use acceptable even in spaces with poor ventilation.

Whereas most forms of siding adhere to exterior walls, brick and stone must be supported by the building foundation because of their extreme weight.

Made of Portland cement, lime, and sand, ______ is fireproof and largely maintenance-free.