Humber/Ontario Real Estate Course 4 Exam Practice

What was the most common joist material for new homes in the past?

1. Wafer board.

2. Metal.

3. Plywood.

4. Concrete.

5. Plastic.

6. Wood.

The correct answer is: Wafer board.

The most common joist material for new homes in the past is wood. This choice is grounded in the historical practices of the construction industry, where wood has been readily available, cost-effective, and offers good structural properties for home construction. Wood joists have been the traditional choice due to their strength-to-weight ratio, ease of handling and installation, and the ability to be easily cut and modified on-site. While other materials such as metal, concrete, and engineered woods (like laminated veneer lumber) are now more common in certain applications or specific building designs, wood has maintained its prevalence in residential construction historically. Options like wafer board, plywood, and plastic either do not serve the same purpose as joists or have not been traditional go-to materials for structural framing in homes. Thus, wood remains the most recognized and used material for joists in the history of home construction.