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Subjects · Leaving Cert Construction Studies

Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Orientation, solar gain & shading

How often Orientation, solar gain & shading comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 5 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

OL Asked on 1 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2016.

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Orientation, solar gain & shading, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Orientation, solar gain & shading.

(a)Why limit large west-facing glazing?
  1. West glazing gets no sun at all
  2. Low evening sun causes overheating and glare
  3. It loses more heat than north glazing
(b)How does a fixed overhang shade south glazing?
  1. Reflects the sun's heat back into the room at night
  2. Blocks all winter sun, admits summer sun
  3. Blocks high summer sun, admits low winter sun
(c)Why plant deciduous trees south of a house?
  1. Summer shade, but winter sun passes through
  2. They block the low winter sun completely from the house
  3. Dense shelter from wind all year round
Show the answers

(a) Low evening sun causes overheating and glare

(b) Blocks high summer sun, admits low winter sun

(c) Summer shade, but winter sun passes through

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Orientation, solar gain & shading.

Higher Level

Asked on 5 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q10a
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q10a
2021Q10a
2019Not asked
2018Q10a
2017Not asked
2016Q10a

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Orientation, solar gain & shading questions

Orientation, solar gain & shading, 3 marks

Why are external blinds better than internal blinds at preventing overheating?

  1. Internal blinds let in more daylight
  2. External blinds are insulated like walls
  3. They stop sunlight before it passes the glass
Show the answer

They stop sunlight before it passes the glass

Once sunlight is through the glass it turns to heat trapped in the room, even behind an internal blind. External shading keeps most of that heat outside.

Orientation, solar gain & shading, 3 marks

Why does a glazed room heat up so much in sunshine?

  1. Long-wave heat passes straight back out through the glass
  2. Glass admits short-wave sun but traps long-wave heat
  3. The glass generates heat itself when sun hits it
Show the answer

Glass admits short-wave sun but traps long-wave heat

Surfaces in the room absorb sunlight and re-radiate it as long-wave heat, which the glass does not let out. This greenhouse effect is the basis of passive solar gain.

Orientation, solar gain & shading, 3 marks

Why does covering a concrete floor with thick carpet reduce its value as thermal mass?

  1. The carpet insulates the mass from sun and room air
  2. Carpet adds too much weight for the floor slab to carry
  3. Concrete stops storing heat once it is dry
Show the answer

The carpet insulates the mass from sun and room air

Thermal mass must be exposed to absorb heat by day and give it back at night. Tiles or polished concrete let it work; carpet or dry-lining cuts it off.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 1 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2016.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Not asked
2016Q8g

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Orientation, solar gain & shading questions

Orientation, solar gain & shading, 2 marks

Which way should the main living rooms face in Ireland?

  1. North
  2. Away from the sun
  3. South
Show the answer

South

South-facing rooms get sunshine for most of the day. This free solar heat and daylight makes them warmer and brighter and cuts heating bills.

Orientation, solar gain & shading, 3 marks

Why fit a roof overhang above south-facing windows?

  1. Stops all sunlight reaching the room all year
  2. Blocks high summer sun but lets in low winter sun
  3. Keeps rain off the roof and the gutters
Show the answer

Blocks high summer sun but lets in low winter sun

The summer sun is high and the overhang shades the glass so rooms do not overheat. The low winter sun shines in underneath and warms the room.

Orientation, solar gain & shading, 3 marks

Rooms best placed on the north side of a house?

  1. Utility, stores and stairs
  2. The main living room
  3. A sunroom
Show the answer

Utility, stores and stairs

North-facing rooms get little direct sun. Rooms used briefly or needing little heat go there, freeing the south side for living rooms.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies