FGIA InstallationMasters study plan

Map the replacement installation domain into a personal outline covering removal, substrate inspection, flashing integration, and finish trim, listing every subtopic you can name before consulting any reference

Define the terms that govern replacement work - rough opening versus frame opening, sill pan, backer rod, head flashing, pan flashing, and weep pathway - and write a one-sentence definition for each in your own words

Sequence the standard replacement workflow from site protection through final sealant cure, numbering each step and noting where inspection hold points fall

Identify the three most common failure modes reported after replacement installs (water intrusion at the sill, air leakage at the head, and improper fastening through the flange) and describe the mechanism behind each

Explain how to measure a replacement opening for width, height, square, and level, and state the tolerance you would accept before ordering a unit

Describe the correct order of operations for flashing a replacement window in a wall with an existing weather-resistive barrier, including where the sill pan laps the barrier and where the head flashing tucks behind it

Compare fastening strategies for flanged units versus block-frame units and state when each is appropriate

List the sealant joints a replacement install requires and specify interior versus exterior sealant placement and why the interior joint is typically left to the finish carpenter

Diagnose five hypothetical replacement scenarios (rot at the sill, out-of-square opening, masonry veneer, stucco wall, and a unit set in an existing frame) and prescribe the corrective action for each

Explain how to handle discovery of deteriorated framing or sheathing mid-install, including what must be repaired before the new unit is set and who should authorize the change

Describe the water-management principle of shingle-fashion layering and apply it to a full replacement assembly from sill to head

State the inspection items a third-party inspector would check on a replacement job and rank them by consequence of failure

Complete a closed-book self-test of at least 40 replacement-domain questions and score yourself honestly

Review every missed item and write the underlying rule, not just the correct answer, so the same mistake cannot repeat in a different phrasing

Re-derive the flashing sequence and fastening rules from memory and check them against your week 2 procedure, correcting any drift

Explain air sealing and insulation detailing at the rough opening perimeter for a replacement unit, including where the air barrier must be continuous

Map the new construction domain into an outline covering rough opening preparation, frame and flange installation, integrated flashing, air and water barriers, and interior/exterior finishing

Contrast new construction and replacement installation point by point, listing at least eight differences and the reason each exists

Describe how to verify a rough opening for size, square, level, and plumb before the unit arrives, and state the clearance and shim requirements

Explain the role of the weather-resistive barrier and how the window integrates with it in new construction versus a retrofit

Sequence a complete new construction window installation from rough opening verification through final sealant, numbering steps and marking inspection hold points

Describe shimming practice at sill, jambs, and head, and explain how shim placement affects operation, square, and load transfer

Explain flashing integration for new construction including sill pan, jamb flashing, and head flashing, and state the lap direction at each transition

Describe air sealing details at the rough opening and how they interact with the wall's air barrier and insulation strategy

Diagnose five hypothetical new construction scenarios (rough opening too large, out-of-square framing, missing sill pan, reversed head lap, and flange fastened through the weather barrier without sealant) and prescribe the fix

Explain how to install into common wall assemblies - wood frame with siding, masonry veneer, and stucco - and state the material and detail differences for each

State the inspection items a third-party inspector would check on new construction and rank them by consequence of failure

Reconcile your new construction procedure against your replacement procedure and note where a single shared principle applies to both

Complete a timed, closed-book mock exam covering both domains in proportion to their weight and score it

Review every missed item across both domains and write the governing rule for each, cross-checking against your week 4 and week 7 error logs

Re-derive the flashing sequence, fastening rules, and shimming practice from memory for both domains and correct any remaining drift

Identify your three weakest subtopics and write a short corrective summary for each that you can reread in the final days