Construction 101 Quiz Terms Flashcards
Define “Cripple Stud.”
Short studs placed between the header and a top plate or between a window sill and bottom plate.
What is an Oriented Strand Board (OSB)?
A versatile engineered wood peel made using rectangularly shaped wood strands and waterproof heat-cured adhesives that are arranged in cross-oriented layers.
What size lumber is typically used for a stud wall?
2 x 4
How do you determine a load-bearing wall?
Ceiling joists are running perpendicular to the wall.
Define “Sill Plate.”
The piece of lumber that anchors the house to the foundation.
What is the difference between a truss and a stick build system?
A truss system is made up of combined pieces of lumber that are pre-manufactured off-site, creating framing for the roof.
A stick build system is made of individual pieces of lumber that are built onsite, creating framing for the roof.
What is a “Glulam Beam”?
A type of structural engineered wood product constituted by layers of dimensional lumber bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives.
A “HVAC split system” is…
has some of the HVAC components outside and some inside.
When dealing with plumbing, what is a “P-trap”?
A curved portion of plumbing designed to hold enough water to block, or seal, the section of pipe from gasses, odors, and pests.
When dealing with plumbing, what is the purpose of a vent line?
To expel gasses and smells from dirty water sources.
What is the difference between a furnace and an air-handler?
They are the same, but a furnace has a heat coil that can heat the air.
When dealing with HVAC, what is a “compressor”?
The part of an outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.
Where are GFI outlets usually installed?
Areas with an open water source.
When dealing with electrical, what is a “2-wire system”?
An ungrounded electrical system. Typically black cable runs that are the “hot” wire and white cable runs that are “neutral.”
What is the definition of “slab-on-grade”?
A type of shallow foundation in which a concrete slab rests directly on the ground below it.
Define “daylight basement.”
A basement that only matches a portion of the floorspace of the level above.
What do forms as they relate to footings do?
They allow you to set the size, shape, depth, and location of the footing. “They form them.”
In a crawlspace, what is the purpose of a moisture barrier?
It prevents humidity from the ground evaporating and damaging the floor framing, insulation, and subfloor above.
What does reinforcing the concrete do?
Increases the tensile strength of the concrete.
Which of the following is true of rebar?
It reinforces concrete.
What is the purpose of a J-bar?
Connects footings to the foundation wall.
Which construction item helps prevent hail damage on vinyl siding?
Fan-fold insulation.
What is a shake?
A shingle that is non-uniform in size and/or shape that can be installed as siding or roofing.
What is a veneer as it relates to solid stone siding?
A thin piece of solid stone that is installed into a mortar bed.
What does “CMU” stand for?
Concrete Masonry Unit.
What is the primary purpose of exterior construction?
To keep moisture away from the inside of the home.
Define “tongue & groove”:
Wooden planking in which adjacent boards are joined by means of interlocking ridges and grooves down their sides.
Define “tongue & groove”:
Wooden planking in which adjacent boards are joined by means of interlocking ridges and grooves down their sides.
How are the soffit and roof vents related?
Soffit has vents that allows air to flow into the attic and out of the roof vents.
Where is soffit installed?
Under a roof overhang, as part of the roof to siding transition.
What is the primary function of gutters?
Gutters catch water runoff from the roof and divert it away from the homes foundation.
How can soffit, fascia, & gutters help when investigating hail?
They are considered soft metals and are a great place to see hail impacts.
What is the primary function of soffit, fascia, and gutters?
To divert moisture away from framing and interior of home.
Which construction item is the Latin word for “band”
Fascia.
Which of the following describes a “hip roof?”
All four sides slope down to meet the exterior walls of the house.
Which of the following describes a “gable roof?”
Has two roof surfaces of the same size, that are pitched at the same angle, back-to-back.
What is the primary purpose of Flashing?
To cover an open seam and keep moisture from penetrating.
What is the rafter measurement?
Measurement along the slope of a roof from the roof edge to roof ridge.
As it pertains to roofing, what is the “ridge”?
The horizontal line running the length of the roof where the two roof planes meet.
How is slope and/or pitch measured?
Rise over run, where the run is always equal to 12 (6/12, 4/12, 2/12).
What is another name for plumbing roof vent (Pipe Jack) flashing?
Boot.
What is the purpose of “starter row”?
Ensures a straight edge and effective seal along the eaves and rake.
What roof type is Modified Bitumen usually installed on?
Flat.
What is the difference between a “hip” and a “gable”?
On a hip roof, all four sides slope down to meet the walls of the house; on a gable roof, two sides slope down to meet the walls of the house.
What is the difference between “composition 3-tab” and “laminated architectural” shingles?
Composition 3-tab is actually 3 of what appear to be individual shingles; laminated architectural shingles are known as dimensional shingles, due to their textured appearance.
Which roof vent works really well if the wind is blowing?
Turbine Vent.
How can you know, for certain, what grade or type of flooring is installed in the home?
There are professional services where samples can be collected and submitted to determine type and grade of material.
How is the carpet grade determined?
The density and pile.
Which flooring type can be sanded and stained multiple times?
Solid hardwood.
What is the main difference between solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors?
Engineered hardwood has a veneer of the wood species with a plywood backer; whereas, solid hardwood is completely that type of wood throughout the flooring plank.
How can you differentiate between porcelain and ceramic tile?
Porcelains coloration runs throughout the tile, ceramic is a glaze only on the outer-surface.
As it relates to Xactimate, what are the dimensions of carpet?
12’ x Infinity.
Marble tile is:
Soft and expensive.
When drywall is “hung, taped, & floated” it means:
The drywall is installed, joints are taped, and drywall mud has been applied and sanded.
Mold resistant drywall is also known as…?
Water rock.
The difference between 1/2” & 5/8” drywall is…?
Size and fire-blocking.
What does R-value mean?
Resistance to heat transfer or heat flow.
Drywall typically comes in what size sheet?
8’ x 4’
What are the 3 main types of insulation?
Fiber, foam, and reflective.
Where is blown-in insulation installed?
Attic.
What is the primary purpose of trim?
Cover gaps or transitions.
What is the difference between single hung and double hung windows?
With single hung, only one part of the window moves. With double hung, two parts of the window move.
What is a panel door?
A door with customized recesses creating a custom look.
What is a door casing?
The trim installed that is facing you to finish a door installation.
What is Cove Molding?
It is a single piece of molding that is concave in shape..
What does “pre-hung” mean as it relates to doors?
The door slab and jamb are a unit, not separate items.
What are angle shut-off valves?
GFI outlet needed due to open water sources.
What are angle shut-off valves?
These are water shut-offs to stop the flow of water allowing you to work on plumbing.
What are base cabinets?
They are installed on the floor and create a base for countertops to be installed.
What does the shower pan do?
Acts as a moisture barrier under the mortar bed.
What does the shower pan do?
Acts as a moisture barrier under the mortar bed.
What are box kitchen cabinets?
Cabinets pre-manufactured and purchased at a box store.
