Exterior dimensions are used to determine which area?

• A. The outside boundaries of the building
• B. The interior room sizes
• C. The attic space
• D. The basement area

Answer: (A)

Exterior dimensions are the overall width and length measured from the outside of the walls, so they define the building’s footprint—the outside boundaries of the structure. Using those measurements gives you the footprint area (length times width). Interior room sizes come from inside measurements, not the exterior. Attic space and basement area are determined by the interior floor plan and the foundation rather than the exterior boundary lines. So the exterior dimensions best describe the outside boundaries of the building. For example, a house that's 40 feet by 60 feet has a footprint of 2,400 square feet.