In this episode of All About Home Construction, we’re taking a deep dive into floor joist spans — a crucial part of building safe, strong, and long-lasting floors. We’ll cover the basics of what a span is, why it matters, and how lumber size, spacing, and wood species all come into play.

You’ll also learn the difference between live load and dead load, why “maximum span” isn’t always the best span, and how to prevent those bouncy or squeaky floors. Plus, we’ll talk about when engineered solutions like I-joists or LVLs are the right choice for big, open rooms.

Whether you’re a DIY homeowner, a future homebuilder, or just curious about how your home is put together, this episode will give you the knowledge to make smarter, safer choices in construction.

On this episode of All About Home Construction, we’re talking all about retaining walls—from the popular segmented block systems to timber, concrete, and gabion walls. Whether you're holding back a hillside or just leveling out your yard, we’ll walk you through what you need to know: how retaining walls work, why drainage is critical, what mistakes to avoid, and when to call in the pros. Plus, we’ll share tips on permits, base prep, and design ideas to help your project last for decades. If you’re planning any backyard or landscaping improvements, this episode is a must-listen!

On this episode of All About Home Construction, we’re talking about two popular (and very different) materials used to build retaining walls and fight erosion: gabion walls and recycled railroad ties.

We’ll break down:

• What gabion walls are and why they’re a smart, modern solution for drainage and slope control

• How to build a gabion wall, what materials you’ll need, and where they work best

• The pros and cons of using recycled railroad ties in your landscape

• Why creosote-treated wood may pose health and environmental concerns

• Safer alternatives for retaining walls that still look great and perform well

Whether you’re trying to tame a hillside, stop soil erosion, or just want a unique aesthetic in your yard, this episode will help you choose the right material for the job—and avoid costly mistakes.

Today we picked up where we left off last show!

You've heard about the efficiency and economic benefits of barndominiums – they're a hot topic for a reason! Now, let's get specific. In this episode, we're taking those "mountain dreams" of a unique barndo home and diving deep into the "realities" of building one right here in Boone and the NC Mountains. We'll uncover the specific pros and cons of constructing these homes in our high country environment, from navigating challenging terrain and local building codes to securing financing that understands non-traditional builds. Get the inside scoop on what it really takes to make your barndominium dream a reality in the Blue Ridge.

Randy's grandkids come on this morning's show!

Tune in for our re-play of a Memorial Day special!

On this week’s episode of All About Home Construction, we dive into why a house designed for the coast just doesn’t work in the mountains. From snow loads to seismic zones, and from flood risks to frozen ground, the building codes and methods change dramatically based on location. We break down the key differences in roofing, materials, foundations, and inspections.

This discussion was inspired by Randy, who recently bid on a job using coastal plans that hadn’t been adapted for our mountain region. Don’t make the same mistake—tune in to learn why local knowledge and code compliance matter more than ever.

Today's show discuses the ins and outs of roofing underlayments!

On this episode of All About Home Construction, we’re diving into some of the most common — and critical — issues homeowners face. We cover what you need to know about roof repairs, which jobs legally require a building permit, and how to deal with mold safely and effectively. We also take a look at fixing foundation problems and discuss practical steps to bring an older home up to modern building codes. Whether you're planning a DIY project or hiring a pro, this episode is packed with essential info to help you do it right and stay safe.