VIRGINIA HIC (HOME IMPROVEMENT
EXAM) 2026/27|| LATEST UPDATE
WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be
found in a - ANSWER-Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - ANSWER-Hot to cold
What are batter boards - ANSWER-stakes and ledger boards marking building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an under-floor
space and each corner of the building? - ANSWER-3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - ANSWER-Load-bearing
headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is
called a - ANSWER-Shake (c 326)
The abbreviation "d" in "16d" means - ANSWER-Penny
Notches may not be located in the ____________ of a joist span - ANSWER-Middle
1/3
What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials - ANSWER-25
(R302.10.1)
What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for under-floor space -
ANSWER-1/4 inch (R 408.2)
Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl space should -
ANSWER-Be well supported between joists/using a wire mesh or rigid board (c 904-
5)
In a crawl space how far from the floor joints do you need to place vapor retarder -
ANSWER-Top Soil
Ice dam protection needs to be _________ from the edge of eaves - ANSWER-24
inches (R905.1.2)
How should board and batten be installed? - ANSWER-1 inch overlap 10d nails
What is the maximum allowable notch in ceiling joists - ANSWER-1/6 the depth of
the member
, How MUST rafters be framed to each other - ANSWER-Gusset plate (R802.3)
What is used to prevent buckling at points of high stress? - ANSWER-Squash blocks
Prior to the installation of wood floor how long for acclimation? - ANSWER-4-5 days
Where do you start laying parquet flooring - ANSWER-Centerline
What is the first step in carpet installation? - ANSWER-Tackless strip
What type of nail is used in floor installation - ANSWER-7d or 8d threaded/Cut steel
What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring? - ANSWER-Filling
What is the best nail for hardwood - ANSWER-Ring shank nail
In a crawl space, what kind of vapor retarder should be used? - ANSWER-6 mil or 8
mil
When batt insulation is installed a vapor retarder that __________ is commonly -
ANSWER-4 mil polyethylene
What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between roof sheeting and
insulation to allow the passage of air? - ANSWER-1 1/2 in
In a ceiling batt insulation where is the vapor retarder placed? - ANSWER-Against
the back of ceiling finish
What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening? - ANSWER-5 sq ft (62)
(R310.2.1)/ 4 ft header joist (130) (R502.10)
When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should - ANSWER-Be attached
to the adjacent cabinets before to the wall
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - ANSWER-34 inches
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - ANSWER-30
inches
What type of nail are best for general construction? - ANSWER-Smooth shank
Where to install radiant heat barrier in attic - ANSWER-Rafters
What is the major advantage of icynene over polyurethane foam - ANSWER-Can be
poured instead of sprayed
A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST - ANSWER-Face the warm side of the
wall
EXAM) 2026/27|| LATEST UPDATE
WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS
The MOST specific information about the size and location of windows would be
found in a - ANSWER-Floor plan
What direction does heat flow? - ANSWER-Hot to cold
What are batter boards - ANSWER-stakes and ledger boards marking building lines
What is the MAXIMUM distance between a ventilating opening in an under-floor
space and each corner of the building? - ANSWER-3 feet
What is NOT required in exterior nonbearing walls? - ANSWER-Load-bearing
headers
A lengthwise grain separation between or through the growth rings of lumber is
called a - ANSWER-Shake (c 326)
The abbreviation "d" in "16d" means - ANSWER-Penny
Notches may not be located in the ____________ of a joist span - ANSWER-Middle
1/3
What is the MAXIMUM flame spread index for insulation materials - ANSWER-25
(R302.10.1)
What is the MAXIMUM dimension of the ventilation coverings for under-floor space -
ANSWER-1/4 inch (R 408.2)
Flexible insulation placed in floor joists above an unheated crawl space should -
ANSWER-Be well supported between joists/using a wire mesh or rigid board (c 904-
5)
In a crawl space how far from the floor joints do you need to place vapor retarder -
ANSWER-Top Soil
Ice dam protection needs to be _________ from the edge of eaves - ANSWER-24
inches (R905.1.2)
How should board and batten be installed? - ANSWER-1 inch overlap 10d nails
What is the maximum allowable notch in ceiling joists - ANSWER-1/6 the depth of
the member
, How MUST rafters be framed to each other - ANSWER-Gusset plate (R802.3)
What is used to prevent buckling at points of high stress? - ANSWER-Squash blocks
Prior to the installation of wood floor how long for acclimation? - ANSWER-4-5 days
Where do you start laying parquet flooring - ANSWER-Centerline
What is the first step in carpet installation? - ANSWER-Tackless strip
What type of nail is used in floor installation - ANSWER-7d or 8d threaded/Cut steel
What should be applied to crevices in wood flooring? - ANSWER-Filling
What is the best nail for hardwood - ANSWER-Ring shank nail
In a crawl space, what kind of vapor retarder should be used? - ANSWER-6 mil or 8
mil
When batt insulation is installed a vapor retarder that __________ is commonly -
ANSWER-4 mil polyethylene
What is the minimum amount of space that is allowed between roof sheeting and
insulation to allow the passage of air? - ANSWER-1 1/2 in
In a ceiling batt insulation where is the vapor retarder placed? - ANSWER-Against
the back of ceiling finish
What is the maximum size of a floor frame opening? - ANSWER-5 sq ft (62)
(R310.2.1)/ 4 ft header joist (130) (R502.10)
When installing a string of wall cabinets, the cabinets should - ANSWER-Be attached
to the adjacent cabinets before to the wall
What is the MINIMUM height for a stairway handrail - ANSWER-34 inches
A third stairway stringer should be used when the stair width exceeds - ANSWER-30
inches
What type of nail are best for general construction? - ANSWER-Smooth shank
Where to install radiant heat barrier in attic - ANSWER-Rafters
What is the major advantage of icynene over polyurethane foam - ANSWER-Can be
poured instead of sprayed
A vapor retarder on blanket installation MUST - ANSWER-Face the warm side of the
wall
