Universal Design: Room Additions & Home Remodeling

Quiz on Universal Design

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April 15, 2023

937.766.5585

1. What is Universal Design?

A.

Design features and products that restrict your ability to move around your home freely

Design features and products that only people over 50 can use

Design features and products for university students

Design features and products for all, regardless of age or ability

B.

C.

D.

Universal design is about creating a home for everyone, regardless of age or ability. UD includes home design features that make a home stylish, flexible, and comfortable for everyone who lives there.

2. Which of these professionals can best assess your home’s ability to support you and your needs?

A.

Home improvement store representative

Your doctor

General Contractor

Certified Universal Design Specialist

B.

C.

D.

The National Association of Home Builders, in collaboration with the AARP and others, developed the professional Universal Design certification to train home builders and remodelers to assess, design, and construct houses to become sustainable homes for a lifetime.

3. Which of the following is a Universal Design feature?

A.

All of the above

Narrow hallways and doors

Entrances requiring the use of stairs

Having kitchen facilities, full bathroom, and bedroom located on the entry floor level

B.

C.

D.

Narrow spaces and entrances that require using stairs restrict movement and make it harder for everyday activities like carrying groceries into the house. That’s contrary to universal design’s goal of creating a home that works well for everyone. Having a kitchen, bath and bedroom on the entry floor level enables people who live there and their guests to enjoy the home freely.

4. To make your bathroom safer, you should:

A.

All of the above

Use non-skid mats on tub or shower floors

Add grab bars (ensuring proper blocking in the walls first)

Install a handheld or adjustable showerhead for easier bathing

B.

C.

D.

In the home, most slips and falls occur in the bathroom – oftentimes, getting in or out of the tub or shower. But simple adjustments like grab bars, non-skid flooring and mats, and adjustable showerheads can help you avoid injury.

5. Can you spot Universal Design elements in this picture?

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1. Comfort-height toilets have seating about 2 inches taller than normal toilets. The extra height makes it easy to sit down and get up.

2. The grab bar is fastened to solid wood backing beneath the wall and easily supports a person’s weight.

3. There’s no lower cabinet under the sink, providing barrier-free access to those in wheelchairs.



1. Flush transitions between tile flooring surfaces ensures there aren’t any level changes that might cause a stumble.

2. An easy to reach hand-held shower head allows for showering while seated.

3. A built-in seat making showering safe and convenient.



1. An extra-wide interior hallway and passage doorway ensure safe entry and egress from the master bedroom.

8. Universal design calls for what minimum width for hallways?


A. 32 inches

B. 36 inches

C. 40 inches

D. 44 inches

Although a minimum of 36” is required for the width of hallways, wider is preferred.

36”

9. Which of the following doorknobs satisfies requirements for universal design?


A.

B.

C.

D.

Levered door hardware provides the best means for accessibility for every age and ability. However, who WOULDN’T want a “shake the hand” door knob?

A.

C.

B.

D.

10. What criteria are important in choosing a contractor for my Universal Design project?

A.

All of the above

A contractor I can trust and exemplifies honesty and integrity

An experienced contractor in room additions and remodeling

A contractor that has been certified in Universal Design

B.

C.

D.

Brentwood Builders GoalDelighting YOU with the construction PROCESS

as well as the finished PRODUCT.

Thank you for taking our quiz

937.766.5585

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Universal Design: Room Additions & Home Remodeling