Finish specification vs performance specification: what distinguishes them?

• A. Finish specs name specific products or finishes
• B. Performance specs define required performance criteria without naming brands
• C. Finish specs define performance criteria
• D. Performance specs specify exact manufacturers

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is how you set requirements for materials. Finish specifications focus on how something looks and which exact product or finish should be used, locking in a particular appearance by naming brands or finishes. Performance specifications, on the other hand, describe what the material must do—its capabilities and criteria—without tying you to a specific brand. This means you specify things like durability, fire rating, slip resistance, acoustics, or environmental performance, and any product that meets those criteria can be used.

That’s why the correct choice is that performance specs define the required performance criteria without naming brands. It conveys the design intent in functional terms and keeps options open for bidding and compliance. The other statements describe aspects of finish specifications (name-specific products) or mischaracterize performance specs (they don’t specify exact manufacturers).