Illinois Roofing Practice Exam

When installing a wood deck composed of boards, planks, plywood, or OSB, what determines the thickness of the wood material?

1. The roofing contractor's preference

2. The color of the material

3. The design loads of the building

4. The weather forecast

The correct answer is: The design loads of the building

The correct answer is indeed determined by the design loads of the building. This is crucial because the thickness of the wood material must align with the structural requirements necessary to support the weight and stress it will encounter. Design loads include live loads, such as the weight of people and furniture, and dead loads, which are the weight of the building materials themselves. Choosing an appropriate thickness helps ensure the safety and stability of the structure, preventing potential failures or collapses. The building codes often provide guidelines for the required thickness based on these loads, reflecting best practices in construction and engineering standards. Other factors, such as the contractor's preference or color of the material, do not directly impact the structural integrity and are less relevant for this decision. Weather forecasts, while important for scheduling and planning construction, do not influence the material specifications required for the deck's strength.