What are the advantages of wood frame construction? Name at least 5.
- Wood is easy to renovate
- Wood is durable
- Wood is a renewable resource
- Easily adaptable to withstand extreme winds and earthquake loads
- Wood can meet/exceed code-establishment levels of fire safety and sound control
- Wood is adaptable to different climates
What are the disadvantages of wood frame construction? Name at least 5.
- If ignited, burns rapidly
- If exposed to dampness, decays
- Expands and contracts by significant amounts
- Framing is seldom left exposed in building
Define “Embodied Energy”
Embodied energy is the energy associated with manufacturing a product or service. This includes energy for extracting and processing raw materials, manufacturing materials, transportation and distribution, and assembly and construction.
What are the 5 principles of Healthy Housing?
- Occupant Health
- Energy Efficiency
- Affordability
- Environmental Responsibility
- Resource Efficiency
What are the 12 steps for a typical house construction process? ( In chronological order and their duration )
- Approval, Permits and Inspections
- Foundation Layout
- Excavation and Footings ( 4 days )
- Foundations, Drainage and Backfill ( 1 week )
- Framing ( 3 weeks + )
- Doors and Windows ( 1 week )
- Plumbing, Heating and Electrical Rough-in ( 2 weeks )
- Insulation, Air and Moisture Barriers ( 1 week )
- Interior Finishes ( 2 weeks )
- Cabinets, Paint and Fixtures ( 2 weeks )
- Landscaping ( 2 weeks )
- Post-Construction
What is “Energuide” and an “Energuide Rating”?
Energuide is Canada’s energy rating and labelling system that certifies the energy efficiency of new and existing products and homes. The Energuide rating allows you to easily compare the energy efficiency of major household appliances sold in Canada.
What is Net-Zero Housing?
A Net Zero Home produces as much energy as it consumes and is up to 80% more energy efficient than a home built to conventional standards.
What are the 3 basic rules for net-zero energy homes?
- Energy Conservation (High-quality building envelope )
- Passive Solar Energy ( Site and Orientation of home )
- Energy Production
Define “Heating Degree Day”
The number of degrees of heating required over the course of 24 hours, compared to a reference temperature of 18 degrees celsius. ( Definition from Course Pack )
What does the term “secondary suite” mean?
A secondary suite refers to a private independent unit suite existing within a house or located near its primary unit.
Name the activity that occurs and the document that is issued during the Post-Construction Stage of house construction.
- Inspections
- Certificate of Completion ( End-of-Work )
In Canada, the most energy usage in our homes comes from
a. computers and electronics
b. refrigeration
c. space heating
d. water heating
c. space heating
Name the 3 fundamental principles of energy-efficient building.
- Reducing air infiltration
- Increasing insulation
- Reducing energy consumption
What are the 3 points of the sustainability triangle?
- People/Health
- Profit/Economy
- Environment/Planet
How long does it take to build a wood-frame house?
16 weeks
What are the 5 factors associated with Occupant Health?
- Indoor Air Quality
- Safe Potable Water
- Contaminant Removal
- Noise Control
- Radiation Prevention
Name 1 factor of Resource Efficiency:
Use fewer materials for building, renovation, etc.
How to enable Environmental Responsibility:
- Reducing Waste Water ( ex: low flow water fixtures )
- Selecting no/low VOC products ( Volatile Organic Compound )
- Providing composting/recycling
How to ensure Affordability:
Must ensure that low-cost housing is
- Available
- Viable and adaptable to differing climate zones
- Durable and lasting
- Adaptable and Reusable
Why is it faster to build houses nowadays? ( 2 reasons )
- Power tools
- Pre-fabricated assemblies
What is the design load in wood-frame house construction?
50 PSF ( pound per square foot )
What is the purpose of Approvals, Permits and Inspections?
The main purpose is to establish and maintain minimum levels of health and safety in new houses.
Why do install plumbing, heating and electrical rough-ins before installing the vapour barrier, air barrier and insulation?
To facilitate the installation of pipes and wires, preventing any unnecessary obstacles caused by the vapour barrier, air barrier and insulation.
During Post-Construction, who does the responsibility shift to?
Contractor to Owner
