How much load can insulation actually carry—and are we over-engineering residential buildings without realizing it?

This episode goes deep into the structural and thermal realities behind common building materials. The crew breaks down compressive loading on rigid insulation, long-term creep behavior, and how these factors influence slab and foundation design. From there, the conversation expands into thermal bridging challenges in wood and concrete assemblies, and how innovative framing systems like EcoSmart and Tolko aim to improve performance.

Along the way, they question a core assumption in residential construction: are we solving problems that don’t actually exist? The discussion highlights where engineering matters—and where it may be overkill.

And in true UnBuild It fashion, Steve closes things out with an unexpected design tangent involving beehives.

Pete’s Resources:

• Compressive Creep Behavior of EPS Geofoam
• BSI-059: Slab Happy
• BSI-118: Concrete Solutions
• EcoSmart Studs
• Tolko Wall Framing

Climate drives building performance. In the first episode of a three-part series, Pete, Steve, and Jake explore why climate matters so much in building science.

Steve kicks off the discussion with a simple analogy: Would you pack the same suitcase for Minneapolis in February, Honolulu in March, and New Orleans in July? Of course not. Buildings work the same way. Design decisions about insulation, vapor control, air barriers, and drying potential all depend on where the building lives.

The conversation walks through how climate zones influence building enclosure strategy and why national research from the Building America program has shaped modern high-performance construction. And of course, no climate discussion would be complete without Joe Lstiburek’s “Perfect Wall,” one of the most influential concepts in applied building science.

This is the first of three episodes exploring how location shapes building design. Next up: Site and Extreme Events.

Pete’s Resources:

• Building America Solution Center – Climate search
• PNNL US Climate Map Guide
• BSC Enclosures That Work
• BSC BSI-001 The Perfect Wall

Is social media helping the building industry—or hurting it? Matt Risinger joins Jake and Steve as the Three Social Media Amigos to roast Pete, the resident social media skeptic, and unpack what online platforms really mean for builders, architects, and building science pros.

The conversation draws a sharp line between the dark side of social media—misinformation, marketing noise, and ego-driven content—and its best potential: real information transfer, community, and better buildings through shared knowledge. It’s entertaining, honest, and occasionally brutal (especially for Pete), but it also raises serious questions about how we learn, teach, and influence in a digital world.

The takeaway? Social media can either amplify expertise or dilute it. The difference comes down to intent, integrity, and how we use the tools.

Pete’s Resources:

• Information Transfer in Social Media (ResearchGate)
• Matt Risinger – The Build Show
• Jake Bruton
• Steve Baczek
• Pete Yost

Who really matters most on a building project—and can the team actually work together? In this episode, the crew digs into the five “gears” of the building process: designers, builders, manufacturers, consultants, and building owners or users. The big question is whether any one of those gears is more important than the others—or whether good buildings only happen when they all mesh.

Steve cuts straight to the chase, sharing how he really feels about consultants (that would be Pete) and, in particular, energy modelers. The discussion gets lively, honest, and occasionally spicy, but the takeaway is clear: the best-performing buildings come from integrated teams that respect each role and work together from the start.

It’s a candid look at collaboration, friction, and why integrated design isn’t just a buzzword—it’s essential if you actually want buildings that perform as intended.

Pete’s Resources:

• GBA Integrated Design
• WBDG Engage the Integrated Design Process
• BuildingGreen – Integrated Project Delivery
• GBA Residential Commissioning
• ORNL Free WUFI Versions

Are vented crawlspaces really a bad idea—and can you actually over-insulate a window frame? The crew gets fired up tackling two topics that refuse to die in building science conversations.

First up is crawlspaces. The boys dig into a bit of U.S. crawlspace history, what vented crawlspaces were originally intended to do, and why they so often fail to perform as hoped. They walk through what crawlspaces should and should not do, and why climate, moisture, and enclosure strategy matter far more than tradition.

Then Steve takes the lead on one of his favorite “dumb ideas”: over-insulating window frames. While improving window performance absolutely matters, the discussion makes the case that, except in very cold climates, obsessing over frame insulation can introduce new water-management risks—and distract from much bigger thermal priorities elsewhere in the enclosure.

Classic UnBuild It: strong opinions, real-world building science, and a reminder to focus effort where it actually moves the performance needle.

Pete’s Resources:

• Building America Solution Center – Crawlspaces
• BSI-115: Crawlspaces – Either In or Out
• LSU La House Crawlspace
• GBA Q&A on Window Frame Insulation
• Pete Yost on Thermal Buck

Can ERVs actually dehumidify a home? And does it ever make sense to use a dehumidifier in a vented crawlspace? Two listener questions spark a lively—and slightly ruthless—discussion that leads to one of Steve’s classic lines: “Suck it up, buttercup!”

The crew digs into how moisture really behaves in dry climates, what ERVs can and cannot do when it comes to latent load management, and why dehumidification strategies that work in one climate can be completely wrong in another. They also unpack the challenges of managing moisture in vented crawlspaces and why adding equipment isn’t always the right answer.

Along the way, the conversation takes an important turn into floodplain construction, with a great discussion—and a must-read resource—on FEMA breakaway walls and how they intersect with moisture management and durability. Plenty of tough love, plenty of building science, and lots of useful takeaways despite the rough ride.

PETE'S RESOURCES:
- "Dealing with Moisture of Construction" (GBA)
- Do ERVs really manage interior sources of moisture? (GBA Q&A)
- "Understanding & Measuring Humidity" (GBA)
- "Household Sources of Moisture" (GBA)
- "Design & Construction for Breakaway Walls" (FEMA)

Windows are one of the most confusing—and consequential—components of a high-performance home. In this episode, the crew takes a deep dive into window and glass selection, aiming to make things clear without letting your eyes glaze over.

The discussion covers dual-pane versus triple-pane insulated glazing units, IGU numbering conventions, and the relatively new i89 coating—including what it means for thermal performance and condensation risk. They also unpack the difference between center-of-glass values and full-window NFRC performance numbers, and why those distinctions matter when making real design decisions.

One gem of a takeaway sums it all up, with Jake quoting Steve: “The windows, the envelope, and the HVAC are one line item.”

Pete’s Resources:

• Cardinal Glass Technical Guide (2025 Version 3.1)
• BA 0402 “Singing the Blues in the Key of Low-E”
• A Review of Advanced Architectural Glazing Technologies
• Efficient Window Coverings

A detailed look at smarter HVAC ducting, better airflow, and what it really takes to manage appliance exhaust and makeup air in high-performance homes.

The boys dive into the how and why behind HVAC duct layout, register placement, and whole-house airflow. They break down how interior design, enclosure performance, and mechanical systems must coordinate—because ducting isn’t just about energy efficiency. Thermal comfort and indoor air quality matter just as much.

They also get into makeup air, kitchen ventilation, and what happens when houses get tighter and appliances get stronger. Lots of building science, lots of clarity, and (of course) a little UBIP chaos.

PETE’S RESOURCES:

• Green Basics – GBA Integrated Design
• Building America – Ducts
• Building Science “The Perfect HVAC”
• ACCA Technical Manuals
• Mechanical Kitchen Ventilation Study
• Makeup Air Systems Example (Fantech)
• IQAir Visual Pro Monitor

What does it really take to grow as a young builder today? Jake and Steve bring in Risinger Build’s Managing Partner, Tim Hill, for a fast-paced, experience-packed conversation full of practical advice for builders looking to level up their craft, business, and mindset.

Jake and Steve give Pete the boot for this one—and for good reason. Tim joins them to share real-world insights on everything from building capital and managing budgets to client communication, niche-building, and avoiding the projects that drain your time and sanity. Across the episode, there are a “baker’s dozen” takeaways that every young builder needs to hear:

1. Build capital each year.
2. Have honest, direct conversations about budgets.
3. Meet clients in person for budget discussions instead of relying on email.
4. Remember that builder or not, you’re in the customer service business.
5. Cost projects accurately, not optimistically.
6. Use the job you’re on to improve the next one.
7. Market your own work and own your story.
8. Don’t take projects just because you feel you have to.
9. Show clients the cool things happening on-site every day—they care more than you think.
10. Think and act like a building professional, not just a carpenter.
11. Trust your gut and say no to the wrong projects or clients.
12. Find your niche instead of trying to be everything to everybody.
13. Don’t let your business consume your entire life.

A ton of wisdom in a single episode—and a must-listen for builders on the rise.

 PETE'S RESOURCES:

1. GBA "Five Cathedral Ceilings That Work:"

2. BSD-149: Unvented Roof Assemblies for All Climates

3. "Convection in Loose-Fill Attic Insulation - Measurements and Numerical Simulations"