Whole bunch of reasons to consider SIP building systems BUT switching from stick-framing is not a walk in the park. But UnBuild It has a ton of experience with SIPs. Next up: Just how stable are the R-values of rigid insulations (the plastic ones with blowing agents) over time? The boys spend just the right amount of time on this on...(just could not resist that).

PETE'S RESOURCES:

- "The Complete Guide to Building With Winter Panels:" 

- BASC SIP Details (SIPA)

-"The BuildingGreen Guide to Thermal Insulation:" 

- "A Study on Variation of Thermal Characteristics of Insulation Materials for Buildings According to Actual Long-Term Annual Aging Variation:" 

Should exterior above-grade wall sheathing or framing line up flush to the outside face of the foundation? Is sealing the bottom of the above-grade wall and foundation with a sill sealer product like Protecto Wrap Triple Guard a good idea? This sets off Jake, Steve, and Pete on balancing water protection, air sealing, and drying potential at this key transition and challenges for control layer continuity. Finally, Steve gets TMI with his sleeping arrangements with his wife...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

• Protecto Wrap Triple Guard
  • NOTE: It is interesting that in their installation drawing, the framed wall is stepped out to line up the framing with the foundation, but they do not lap the sheathing down over the foundation.
•  Huber ZIP Sheathing bottom-of-above grade-wall Detail(s)
  • NOTE: 4 details with "Scenario 4" being spot on for the UnBuild It guys...
• Above-Grade Concrete Foundation Waterproofing

Plenty of reasons for the question mark: Pete wondered what this term really meant; Jake points out that for most of his career, he was not involved in this process as a builder; Steve gets pretty heated when this process does not include budget (at least a realistic budget...). Gem here from Steve: "70% of a home's budget is hardwired into the number of square feet."

PETE'S RESOURCES: 

- Build Show Podcast Episode 91 - Pre-construction Service Agreements

Two great questions on which the boys pontificate in fine
form. Yes, ZIP-R is "backwards" (rigid insulation interior to
structural sheathing) but that does not mean that it doesn't work; it
does, just differently. So why don't we typically rain screen roof
claddings? The short answer is it always costs more, regardless of the
type of roof cladding. But you know the saying: vent until you
can't...

NOTE: - An Apology: Pete keeps saying "vinyl siding" when he means
"vinyl wallpaper" in terms of what many older homes see as newly added
covering over failed/failing plaster... Oh, and we can endlessly
apologize for Steve's parting "jokes"...

PETE'S RESOURCES:
- "Calculating minimum thickness of rigid foam sheathing"

NOTE: Martin Holladay has more than one seminal GBA blog on the topic
of adding continuous exterior rigid insulation to meet code--and even
better--for greater energy efficiency and maintained moisture
management.

- "Avoiding Wet Roofs:"
https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/insulation/avoiding-wet-roofs_o &
https://www.jlconline.com/how-to/insulation/avoiding-wet-roofs-part-ii_o

What could be more fun than yammering on about scary job site stories and just how confusing a space your garage can be? You listeners ask the damndest questions, so we just keep on cranking... Per usual, Steve closes us out with humor worthy of these two questions...

PETE'S RESOURCES:

- "Does Safety Affect Productivity in Construction?"

- From our buddy, Randy Williams: "Construction Design: Humidity Control in a Garage"

The advice starts with "don't ever do this" and then dives into the details for doing it right: slope, overhangs, pedestal systems, step-down from house to deck, and truck liners. Wait, what? Jake describes a long-past project involving a spray-on truck bed liner protective coating (and there actually ARE spray-on residential roof systems for decks—who knew?).

RESOURCES:

- Linex residential protective coating

- "The Importance of Cover Boards in Roofing Assemblies:"

- BSI-051: "Decks--Roofs You Can Walk On:" 

- (Somewhat related) BSI-093 "All Decked Out:" 

Different water sources lead to different water quality issues. Eric walks us through: sources of tap water; testing water; appropriate water treatment systems responding to the testing results; and a new water frontier: PFAS in our tap water (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances). Yikes!

PETE'S RESOURCES:
- Eric Aune Mechanical Hub
- Water testing
- CDC Home Water Treatment Systems
- USGS PFAS in Tap Water

Eric Aune would make the perfect Marvel Superhero Plumber. With tank versus Tankless water heaters, multiple small tanks, and on-demand recirc systems, Eric brings real-world insight to all sorts of plumbing technologies and techniques. And of course, Steve closes the episode with a special look to his future.

Pete's Resources:

• Eric Aune
• Gary Klein - Saving Hot Water
• Demand Hot Water Recirculation System
• US EPA Water Sense

Eric provides Steve and Jake with a plumber's perspective on almost every residential, domestic hot water system available in the US. Stick around for terms like "cold water sandwich," "air-to-water," "CO2 refrigerant," and "recirc." It's absolutely gripping!

Pete's Resources:

• Eric Aune - Mechanical Hub
• Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heater
• Demand Hot Water Recirculation System

Jake spends time at Virginia Tech with Christine Williamson, a leading building professional who integrates building science and architecture. In her first year as an Assistant Professor of Architecture, Christine applies building science to architecture courses such as Environment and Building Systems I and II. In her own words about her new position,  Christine says, "Architecture education is, I think, a lot closer to more of a fine art program than maybe a lot of people realize. That is something I would like to change." 

Jake springs a pair of UnBuild It questions on Christine: how does ZIP-R work in terms of moisture control and the best way to configure a crawlspace. 

PETE'S RESOURCES

- Virginia Tech School of Architecture

- Christine Williamson - https://www.christine-williamson.com & https://www.buildingsciencefightclub.com

- "14 Things About ZIP-R Sheathing You Need to Know:"

- BSC Condition Crawlspace Construction & Conditioned Crawlspace Detail