Deck 2: Building Materials

Question 1

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

Answer 1

False

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

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Portland cement has low embodied energy.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

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

Question 5

Slate tiles are not recommended for hot, sunny climates.

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

Question 7

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

Question 8

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

A) bamboo
B) carpet
C) laminate
D) vinyl

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

Question 10

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

Question 11

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

A) Particleboard
B) Hardboard
C) Plywood
D) Strandboard

Question 12

_____ measures the sustainability and renewability of a resource.

A) Embodied energy
B) Environmental degradation
C) Resource depletion
D) Performance and durability

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)

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

Question 15

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

Question 16

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Question 21

The R-value considers only _____ heat transfer.

A) convective
B) radiant
C) emissive
D) conductive

Question 22

_____ is the transfer of heat through the motion of a fluid, such as air or water.

A) Radiation
B) Conduction
C) Convection
D) Emission

Question 23

_____ is often pressed onto a jute backing and adhered to the subfloor with zero-VOC glues.

A) Laminate
B) Linoleum
C) Vinyl
D) Cork

Question 24

_____ measures the heat that the window loses by conduction.

A) Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
B) U-factor
C) Visible transmittance (VT)
D) Air infiltration

Question 25

______ insulation is a closed-cell rigid foam board that uses a low-conductivity gas (usually an HCFC) to fill the cells.

A) Polyisocyanurate
B) Fiberglass
C) Extruded polystryrene (XPS)
D) Expanded polystyrene (EPS)