WorksheetsTraditional Welsh House Building Materials
Total questions: 38
Worksheet time: 19mins
Before modern transport infrastructure was in place, what materials were most traditional houses in Wales built with?
Imported marble and concrete
Local stone, slate, timber or clom
Plastic and synthetic fibers
Glass and steel
What is 'clom' as mentioned in the context of traditional building materials?
A type of decorative paint
A synthetic insulating material
A natural building material made from subsoil, water, straw and sometimes lime
A method of heating and cooling buildings
Which of the following were used as roofing materials in traditional Welsh houses?
Thatch, slate, and stone
Plastic sheeting and tar
Solar panels and green roofs
Ceramic tiles and copper
What type of mortar was traditionally used to bed the bricks or stone in the construction of external superstructures?
Cement-based mortar
Gypsum mortar
Lime-based mortar
Acrylic mortar
What is the main benefit of using lime mortar over gypsum or cement-based mortar?
It is less expensive
It is stronger
It is breathable
It sets faster
What does "breathable" mean in the context of lime mortar?
It can withstand high temperatures
It is 'vapour permeable' and allows water to enter and exit the wall easily
It is resistant to water absorption
It can expand and contract without cracking
Why do walls not stay damp when using lime mortar?
Because water gets trapped behind the lime mortar
Because lime mortar is waterproof
Because water does not get trapped behind the lime mortar
Because lime mortar contains chemicals that absorb moisture
What can happen if walls stay damp due to the use of non-breathable mortar?
The walls can change color
The walls can become stronger
The timbers can rot
The walls can become more insulated
What is the function of 'breathable' lime plaster in a traditional 'breathable' solid wall?
To block moisture completely from entering the wall
To allow moisture to be vented to the outside
To inject DPC into the wall
To serve as an impervious layer
What is the consequence of using impervious materials like cement render on the exterior of walls?
It allows for evaporation of moisture from the walls
It prevents rising damp effectively
It leads to rotting timbers and blocked gutters
It enhances the 'breathability' of the wall
Why do traditional buildings rely on the thickness of the wall?
To support the roof structure
To provide insulation from heat
To prevent water reaching the inside
To enhance the aesthetic appeal of the building
What is one of the benefits of using a lime-based mortar over a cement-based mortar?
It is more expensive and thus of higher quality
It attracts water, so it actively draws water out of stone and timbers
It has a higher carbon footprint than cement
It is less flexible and more prone to cracking
How does lime-based mortar contribute to environmental friendliness?
It is made from non-renewable resources
It re-absorbs CO2 as it cures
It requires high temperatures to be burnt
It is not self-healing and cracks easily
What type of wood is commonly used in traditional timber framed houses in the east of Wales?
Pine
Oak
Birch
Maple
Why is oak commonly used in the east of Wales for timber framed houses?
It is cheaper than other woods.
It offers more structural strength.
It grows well in the area and the climate is less wet and windy.
It is imported from other countries.
Compared to traditional methods, why do modern construction methods require more timbers for building strength?
Modern timbers are treated with chemicals.
Modern timbers are painted for aesthetic appeal.
Modern timbers are usually faster grown pine which offers less structural strength.
Modern timbers are more expensive and thus used sparingly.
What were traditionally used to construct non-load bearing partitions?
Metal studs
Concrete
Locally sourced timber and thin timber laths
Composite materials
What is mixed with horsehair to adhere to the gaps between timber laths in traditional partitions?
Cement
Lime-based plaster
Paint
Epoxy
What are modern partitions constructed using?
Timber or metal studs covered in horsehair
Timber or metal studs covered in plasterboard
Timber or metal studs covered in concrete
Timber or metal studs covered in lime-based plaster
In traditional buildings, timber is traditionally used as what?
Insulation material
Lintels, floor joists, and boards
Roofing material
Foundation material
Aside from timber, what materials are used in modern construction?
Glass and steel
Concrete and composite materials
Brick and mortar
Bamboo and clay
From what material were the majority of traditional windows and doors made?
Aluminum
Steel
uPVC
Locally sourced timber
What are modern windows largely constructed from?
Wood
Aluminum, steel or uPVC
Plastic
Glass
How did traditional timber windows vary?
By the type of glass used
By the color
By style, design and material depending on when and where they were made
By the manufacturer
What is stone commonly used for in building construction?
Flooring only
External walls, internal load bearing walls, and roofing
Insulation purposes
Window frames
Can the appearance of stone vary depending on the area it is quarried from?
No, stone appearance is uniform regardless of the quarry location
Yes, but only the size varies, not the appearance
Yes, the appearance and size can vary from area to area
No, stone is artificially colored to maintain uniformity
What can give a region its distinctive look when it comes to buildings?
The use of glass in construction
The architectural design only
The colour and structure of the stone used
The use of metal in construction
What is slate used for in construction?
Flooring interiors
Roof covering and building external walls
Plumbing systems
Electrical insulation
Where were the Bangor Blue slate roof tiles in the image previously used?
On a new building
On the ground as pavement
On the roof of a building being refurbished
As a part of a sculpture
What is the location of the slate wall shown in the image?
At the entrance to a private residence
At the entrance to the main University building, Bangor, Gwynedd
In a public park
Inside a commercial office building
Until when was copper mining and smelting a huge industry in Wales?
Until the early 20th century
Until the mid-20th century
Until the late 20th century
Until the 21st century
Why did copper mining and smelting decline in Wales?
Due to the increase in local demand
Because of environmental concerns
When resources ran low and cheap imports took over
Because of the industrial revolution
What was a traditional use of copper in buildings?
As a material for windows
As a roof covering
As a structural foundation
As insulation material
What distinctive color does copper turn as it oxidises over time?
Red
Blue
Green
Brown
Is copper still used in construction today?
No, it is no longer used
Yes, but only in rare cases
Yes, it is still widely used
No, it has been completely replaced by other materials
What was discovered about lead that led to a decline in its use for plumbing pipes?
It is too expensive
It dissolves in water and is poisonous
It is not durable
It is difficult to manufacture
Which materials are now largely used in domestic plumbing instead of lead?
Iron and steel
Copper or plastic
Aluminum and glass
Rubber and ceramic
Despite its toxicity, where is lead still widely used?
In electrical wiring
For interior paint
For roof flashings and coverings
In making utensils
