The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

By Fine Homebuilding Magazine

Technology

What's The Fine Homebuilding Podcast about?

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast embodies Fine Homebuilding magazine's commitment to the preservation of craftsmanship and the advancement of home performance in residential construction. Hosted by the magazine's editors, The FHB Podcast is an informal but vigorous show about the techniques and principles that allow listeners to master their design and building challenges.

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#608: Roofs with Self-adher...

12.01.2023

The crew hears from listeners about protecting buried posts, hydronic HVAC, and building affordable houses. Discussion questions include small low-slope roofs, calculating heating and cooling loads, and encouraging the next generation of trade workers.

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast episodes:

12.01.2023 #608: Roofs with Self-adhered Membranes, Heating and Cooling Loads, and Introducing People to Trade Work The crew hears from listeners about protecting buried posts, hydronic HVAC, and building affordable houses. Discussion questions include small low-slope roofs, calculating heating and cooling loads, and encouraging the next generation of trade workers.
11.24.2023 #607: Wood Foundations for Winter Builds, Adding Headroom, and Aeroseal for Leaky Ducts The crew hears from listeners about housewrap, replacing windows in brick openings, and managing heavy beams. Discussion questions include wood foundations, raising a ceiling in a ranch, and sealing up panned joist returns.
11.17.2023 #606: Foam Slabs, Gaps in Click Flooring, and Board-and-Batten Rainscreens The crew hears from listeners about tight-fitting batt insulation, integrating HVAC equipment, and housing affordability. Discussion questions include foam insulation instead of a concrete slab, closing gaps in laminate flooring, and rainscreens under board siding.
11.10.2023 #605: Buying Rental Property, Venting an Attic in a Triplex, and Bonfig Brick Walls The crew hears from listeners about stair design, broken tool batteries, and toilets from the box store. Discussion questions include buying rental property, attic venting, and modified Bonfig walls.
11.03.2023 #604: Conversation and Questions with Engineer Marc Rosenbaum Consulting engineer and self-described compulsive measurer Marc Rosenbaum talks to Brian and Patrick about improving the comfort and efficiency of residential buildings.
10.27.2023 #603: Flashing Masonry Openings, Protecting Fence Posts, and Making Hot Water The crew hears from listeners about ceramic paint, prefinished siding, and tiny houses in Texas. Discussion questions include flashing windows in masonry walls, protecting buried fence posts from rot, and using boilers for domestic hot water.
10.20.2023 #602: Customer Communication, Foundation Insulation, and Competent HVAC Design The crew hears from listeners about EV charging, aging in place, and dowsing. Discussion questions include customer communication, covering exposed foundation insulation, and HVAC design.
10.13.2023 #601: Envelope Leaks, Rebuilding a Cabin, and Adding Water to Hydronic Heat The crew hears from listeners about ICFs, remodeling a small kitchen, and affordable net-zero and then takes questions on rebuilding a cabin, leaks from wind-driven rain, and refilling hydronic heating systems.
10.06.2023 #600: Humidity Control, Pergola Footing, and Primer for New Drywall Nic and Carson have thoughts on LEDs. Phil asks about self-stick underlayment on Zip System roof sheathing. Buzz wants to add a shade structure over his paver patio. Knot Painter asks about priming new drywall. Mark is trying to lower ...
09.29.2023 #599: Trees Moving Buildings, Epic Thermal Bypasses, and Supplemental Dehumidification The crew hears from listeners about gas stoves, screw-pile lighthouses, and LEDs. Discussion questions include roots lifting a garage, leaky porch ceilings, and central dehumidifiers.
09.22.2023 #598: Stone Foundations, Failing Stucco, and Comfortable Garages The crew hears from listeners about WRBs, Brian’s porch piers, and hidden costs of construction. Discussion questions include tightening a stone foundation, stucco on straw bales, and low-buck energy upgrades.
09.15.2023 #597: Fish-Mouthed Sheathing Tape, Window Installation, and Flashing a Bay Window The crew hears from listeners about manufactured houses and DIY lighting with LEDs. Discussion questions include unstuck flashing tape, sealing the bottom of new windows, and EV chargers.
09.08.2023 #596: Broken Trusses, Frost-Protected Foundations, and Air-Control Methods The crew hears from listeners about affordable net-zero, roofing underlayment, and garage separation. Discussion questions include fixing trusses, frost-protected foundations, and air-control strategies.
09.01.2023 #595: Raised Floor Systems, Carriage House Conversion, and LED Strip Lighting Listeners share thoughts on condensate drains, fake shutters, and silicosis. The crew takes questions on insulating a floor system, converting a former storage building to living space, and how to use LED strip lighting.
08.29.2023 #594: PRO TALK with Contractor Andy Steele and Student Jude Griffin In the final episode of Pro Talk, Ian, Andy, and Jude talk about engaging with young adults to foster an interest in the building trades from the perspectives of the contractor and of the apprentice.
08.25.2023 #593: Steamy Bedrooms, Windows and WRBs, and Weird Weatherstripping The crew hears from listeners about sound attenuation, plumbing, and LED lighting. Discussion questions include high-humidity spaces, best building practices, and garage-door weatherstripping.
08.22.2023 #592: PRO TALK With Insurance Adjuster Josh Zoller Ian and Josh talk about managing risk in the built environment and how Josh’s vocation as an insurance adjuster has influenced the design of the home he is building for his family.
08.18.2023 #591: Tightening a Shop, Dealing with Popcorn Ceilings, and Problems with Modular Homes Listeners share their thoughts on storm shutters, LED light solutions, ERVs vs. HRVs, and contractor licensing. The crew takes questions on writing good contracts, testing DWV systems, and common problems with modular homes.
08.15.2023 #590: PRO TALK With Operating Engineer Trainer John Klabacka Ian talks to John Klabacka of Associated Training Services in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin about training the next generation of crane and heavy-equipment operators, and jobsite safety.
08.11.2023 #589: Metal-Roof Upgrade, Attic Conversions, and Construction Trade Shows Dan Kolbert shares his thoughts on cordless power tools and batteries. Jeff suggests curbside pickup. Chris shows us a good-looking drop ceiling. Bill is contemplating a roof and insulation upgrade. Evan is considering an attic-to-living-space conversion. Felix asks about pocket ...
08.08.2023 #588: PRO TALK With FHB House 2023 Builder Jon Beer Ian talks to builder and remodeler Jon Beer about building your own home as a construction professional and how to improve your business by defining processes and developing procedures.
08.04.2023 #587: Net-Zero with $250k, Owner-Supplied Material, and Garage Separation Walls Peel-and-stick membrane, shallow frost-protected foundations, affordable net-zero, scavenged building products, and keeping garage pollutants out of the house.
08.01.2023 #586: PRO TALK With Timber Framer Will Gusakov In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Will Gusakov of Goosewing Timberworks about Will’s work with Carpenters Without Borders, timber framing, and the solidarity economy.
07.28.2023 #585: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 5 The editors discuss chimney airtightness, sealing end cuts, dormer additions, damp basements, and starting a construction business in this best-of compilation.
07.25.2023 #584: PRO TALK With Consultants John Lenker and Assaf Arie, Part 2 In this ProTalk Podcast Ian continues his talk with business consultants John Lenker and Assaf Arie about how to overcome the challenges associated with growing a construction business.
07.21.2023 #583: Dehumidification vs. Ventilation, Downsides of Advanced Framing, and Ducting Heat-Pump Water Heaters Gas stoves, tool batteries, material prices, controlling humidity in efficient homes, advanced framing, and ducted heat-pump water heaters.
07.18.2023 #582: PRO TALK With Consultants John Lenker and Assaf Arie, Part 1 Ian, John and Assaf discuss the importance of marketing and management training for the success of a construction company.
07.14.2023 #581: Van-to-RV Conversions, Window Shutters, and Highway Noise Ethan has thoughts on climbable railing and code. Ben and James question our conversation about washing machines. Neil needs to make comfy RVs. Ben notices bad shutters. Sam’s apartment is too noisy. David shows us how heat pumps work.
07.11.2023 #580: PRO TALK With Madison College Carpentry Student Jon Moore In this episode, Ian talks to Madison College carpentry student Jon Moore about changing career paths early in life and how formal education can be applied to the building trades.
07.07.2023 #579: Wind-Resistant Framing, Screen Porch Conversions, and Kitchen Remodels Keeping craft alive, FHB and GBA combo memberships, stud-to-top-plate connectors, screen porch conversion, squaring mudsills, kitchen remodels, and moving plumbing.
07.04.2023 #578: PRO TALK With Lighting Designer David Warfel Ian talks to David about new ways to think about lighting your spaces, when to hire a lighting designer and David gives some basic tips for better lighting in the home.
06.30.2023 #577: Lap Siding Over Vertical Siding, Concrete-Free Slabs, and Expansion Tanks Jim reminds us to consider a deck’s lateral loads. Evan shows us a more airtight garage-door system. Chris and Jeremy share their experience with bath-fan installation. Ted asks about installing lap siding over vertical siding. Jake is contemplating foundation options. ...
06.27.2023 #576: PRO TALK With Project Manager Adrianna Gretz In this ProTalk Podcast, Ian talks to Adrianna Gretz, residential project manager at LEFF Design Build, about the similarities and differences between commercial and residential project management.
06.23.2023 #575: Costs of Custom Homes, Damp-Spray vs. Dense-Pack Cellulose, and Contractor Licensing Improving the electric grid, tool batteries, making your own windows, value-engineering a new build, cellulose insulation, and contractor licensing.
06.20.2023 #574: PRO TALK With Contractor Joe Garvilla In this ProTalk Podcast, Ian talks to contractor and educator Joe Garvilla about his experiences as an educator and builder, and the positive side of regulating contractors.
06.16.2023 #573: Vibrating Washers, Rot Behind Deck Ledgers, and Tightening Vented Crawlspaces Soul-bashing work, spray-foam problems, floors for front-loading washers, attaching decks to cantilevered joists, and vented crawlspaces.
06.13.2023 #572: PRO TALK With Project Manager Jeremy Hess, Part 2 Patrick talks to Jeremy Hess, project manager for C&Z; Construction, about insurance work; installing helical piles on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska; and the time it takes to build your own house.
06.09.2023 #571: Pooling on Flat Roofs, Irrigation Timers, and Single-Pane Windows Andy says beer helps keep craft alive. Evan suggests getting a good respirator. Adam and Hlynur are familiar with Icelandic heat pumps. Mark asks how to redo his flat roof. Pete needs a better irrigation timer. Will wants new windows.
06.06.2023 #570: PRO TALK With Project Manager Jeremy Hess, Part 1 Patrick talks to Jeremy Hess, project manager for C&Z; Construction, about insurance work; installing helical piles on St. Lawrence Island, Alaska; and the time it takes to build your own house.
06.02.2023 #569: Bath Fan Installs, Sunroom Trim, and Basement Control Layers Induction cooking, battery pack adapters, HVAC in the attic, bath fans, exterior trim, health benefits of fireplaces, and basement air- and water-management.
05.30.2023 #568: PRO TALK With VPs of Product Development Tyson Apfelbeck and Andrew Lentz Ian, Tyson, and Andrew discuss how Milwaukee Tool is pushing the limits of cordless tools by designing and engineering batteries, motors, and onboard electronics that work together as a system.
05.26.2023 #567: Soundproofing, Garage Doors, and Rotted Balconies Row homes, wealthy clients, quiet walls, garage-door airtightness, rotted balconies, and foundation improvements.
05.23.2023 #566: PRO TALK With Builder Jared Gossett In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to custom home builder Jared Gossett about the economics of custom building, construction media, and using a systems-based approach to achieve success as a builder.
05.19.2023 #565: Honeycombed Concrete, Owner-Built Cabin, and Keeping Craft Alive During Soul-Bashing Work Adhesive roof underlayments, air-sealing band joists, brick veneer, Patrick’s rants, problem concrete, cabin foundation options, and challenging construction work.
05.16.2023 #564: PRO TALK With Leadership Consultant George Hodges-Fulton In this Pro-Talk podcast Ian talks to George Hodges-Fulton of Pinnacle Business Guides about business operating systems, developing a leadership team within construction companies, and teaching business skills to tradespeople.
05.12.2023 #563: Caulking Old Siding, Tearing Into Leaky Walls, and HVAC in Unconditioned Attics Universal batteries, gas light fixtures, caulking wood siding, opening up walls, and plaster repairs.
05.09.2023 #562: PRO TALK With Builder and Author Dan Kolbert Ian talks to builder Dan Kolbert, one of the authors of the Pretty Good House book, about how all builders, regardless of their business size, can incorporate energy-saving, low-carbon building techniques into their systems.
05.05.2023 #561: Bungalow Basements, Unfamiliar Subflooring, and Making Your Own Windows Doug says to stick to basics in bath fixtures. Kyle prefers induction cooking. Jim makes the case for central heating and cooling equipment. Kurt wants to improve his bungalow crawlspace. Andrew found weird subflooring in his house. Justin is considering ...
05.02.2023 #560: PRO TALK With HVAC Designer Keith Ouimette In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Keith Ouimette, HVAC operations manager at Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning, about the future of residential mechanical systems, choosing the right system and contractor, and training mechanical tradespeople.
04.28.2023 #559: Contractor Charges in High-Income Areas, Electric Fireplaces, and Problem Brick Veneer The crew hears about tool batteries and Canadian air barriers and answers questions about working in high-end neighborhoods, electric fireplace and brick veneer.

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