All About Home Construction

What would happen if you took an average American house from 1976 and compared it to one being built today? The differences are bigger than you might think.

On this episode of All About Home Construction, Terry and Randy look back at 50 years of changes in the way we build and live in our homes. We'll compare home sizes, electrical service, aluminum wiring, windows, insulation, and energy efficiency.

We'll also explore the evolution of building codes and construction standards—from standardizing doors, windows and building materials to creating modern requirements for structural safety, electrical systems, plumbing, energy efficiency and disaster resistance.

And we'll look at some of the events that changed the way we build, including Hurricane Andrew and the lessons it taught the construction industry about roof connections, windows, doors and creating a continuous structural load path.

It's part construction history, part nostalgia, and part look at just how different today's homes are from the houses many of us grew up in.

Concrete has been shaping the world for thousands of years—but today's concrete is changing in some surprising ways.

This week on All About Home Construction, we take a look at the fascinating history of concrete, from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to the incredible Roman structures that are still standing nearly 2,000 years later. We’ll talk about how Portland cement transformed construction and why reinforced concrete became one of the most important building technologies in modern history.

Then we look at the future of concrete. What are fly ash and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag? How can industrial byproducts be used to reduce the amount of Portland cement in concrete? What is steel slag being used for, and how are researchers experimenting with captured CO₂ in concrete?

It’s a look at how we're taking one of the world's oldest building materials and finding new ways to make it stronger, smarter, and potentially more environmentally friendly.

All About Home Construction — building on the past while looking toward the future.

Tiny homes have become one of the hottest conversations in residential construction, but what many people don't realize is that the debate is about much more than small houses. This week on All About Home Construction, we look at North Carolina's proposed changes surrounding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and what they could mean for homeowners, builders, and communities.

What exactly is a tiny home? What is the difference between a tiny home, an ADU, and a manufactured home? Why can some tiny homes have features like steep stairs and lofts that wouldn't be allowed in a traditional house? And how much of the challenge is actually building the home versus getting permission through local zoning?

We explore the history of zoning, the growing demand for more housing options, the idea of "missing middle" housing, and why lawmakers are looking at ways to make smaller homes easier to build. From backyard cottages and in-law suites to new opportunities for contractors, this episode breaks down the construction, code, and community issues behind one of the biggest housing conversations happening today.

This week on All About Home Construction, we're taking a special break from construction to celebrate America's 250th anniversary. Join us as we explore the founding of the United States, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the documents that shaped our nation. We'll also look back at some of the defining moments that have transformed America over the past 250 years. It's a patriotic journey through the history of the United States as we celebrate Independence Day.

Summer is here, and that means higher electric bills and increased water usage—but it doesn't have to!

This week on All About Home Construction, Terry and Randy share practical, money-saving tips to help homeowners stay cool without breaking the bank. Learn how your thermostat settings can impact your monthly energy bill, why a ceiling fan doesn't actually cool a room, and the simple maintenance that can keep your HVAC system running efficiently all summer long.

The conversation also turns to water conservation, with easy ways to reduce water use both inside and outside your home. From smarter lawn watering techniques and fixing hidden leaks to choosing drought-friendly landscaping, you'll discover simple changes that can make a big difference.

Whether you're looking to lower your utility bills, make your home more comfortable, or become a more efficient homeowner, this episode is packed with practical advice you can put to use today.

Join us Saturday morning at 8:00 on WATA, or catch the podcast anytime afterward!

This week on All About Home Construction, Terry and Randy discuss how small contractors can successfully compete with larger construction companies. From providing personalized customer service and building strong relationships with homeowners to leveraging local knowledge of mountain terrain, weather, and building challenges, small businesses often have advantages that big firms simply can't match.

We'll explore the niche services many large companies overlook, the power of word-of-mouth referrals in small communities, and how today's technology helps level the playing field. Whether you're a contractor looking to grow your business or a homeowner deciding who to hire for your next project, this episode offers valuable insights into why local contractors continue to thrive.

Tune in as we highlight the strengths of small construction businesses and discuss how reputation, expertise, and community connections remain some of the most powerful tools in the industry. #SmallBusinessSaturday #ConstructionBusiness #LocalContractors #AllAboutHomeConstruction #BuildingTheHighCountry

This week on All About Home Construction, we're answering listener questions from around the High Country and beyond. We cover practical landscaping tips, including drainage solutions, planting around foundations, and choosing the right mulch. We also discuss ladder safety, common mistakes homeowners make when working at heights, and how to stay safe while tackling projects around the house.

In addition, we answer several DIY plumbing questions, talk about routine home inspections, and share what tool every homeowner should have in their toolbox. Whether you're maintaining your property, planning a weekend project, or just looking to learn something new, this episode is packed with useful information for homeowners and DIYers alike.

Tune in Saturday mornings at 8 AM on WATA, or catch the podcast anytime on Spotify and YouTube.

This week on All About Home Construction, we're digging into the bones of a building—its framing. We discuss how builders determine the right size lumber to use, how span tables are used to safely size joists and beams, and why understanding load calculations is critical for any construction project. We also break down the difference between live loads

Join us as we explore the importance of proper framing, why span tables matter, common mistakes builders make, and how building codes help ensure safe and durable structures.

This week on All About Home Construction, we take a step back in time and explore the lost trades that helped build Appalachia. From hand-hewn log cabins and stone chimneys to blacksmith shops, sawmills and mountain communities depended on practical skills and hard work to survive.

Carpenter ants might look harmless, but they can be a warning sign of hidden trouble inside your home. In this episode of All About Home Construction, we dig into carpenter ant damage, how to spot the early signs, and why they’re often tied to moisture problems rather than just “bugs in the house.”

We talk about what carpenter ants actually do to wood, how to tell them apart from termites, and where homeowners in Western North Carolina are most likely to find damage—crawl spaces, window sills, roof leaks, and damp framing areas.

We also break down real-world treatment options: what sprays can and can’t do, when borax or boric acid baits might help, and why simply killing the ants you see isn’t enough to solve the problem. Most importantly, we cover the big picture—fixing moisture issues so they don’t come back.

If you’ve ever seen large black ants inside your home or noticed sawdust-like debris around trim or baseboards, this is an episode you’ll want to hear.