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The Fine Homebuilding Podcast Profile

The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

English, Design, 1 season, 648 episodes, 2 days, 3 hours, 36 minutes
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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#617: Venting Metal Roofs, Air-Sealing, and Foundation Drainage

Listeners write in about choosing pipe material, finding a good contractor, charred timbers, and PV utility costs, and ask questions about venting metal roofing, air-sealing, and foundation drainage.
2/2/202456 minutes, 39 seconds
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#616: Short Extension Jambs, Charred Timbers, and Hardwood on Concrete

Listeners write in about work vehicles and faulty LEDs and ask about extension jambs, charred timber frames, and wood flooring on concrete.
1/26/202456 minutes, 1 second
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#615: Spray-on WRBs, Wall Insulation, and IV Drips for Mold

Listeners write in about producer Jeff and moving heavy things and ask questions about WRBs, cavity insulation without sheathing, and IV drips for mold.
1/19/202451 minutes, 13 seconds
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#614: Structural Lath and Plaster, Coaching your Builder, and Shoes for Roofing

Listeners write in about HVAC design, missing water, and a young builder and ask questions about rotted sills, builders and their comfort zone, and roofing shoes.
1/12/20241 hour, 2 minutes, 34 seconds
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#613: Soil Against Stucco, Finding the Right Build Team, and Building Product Warranties

Listeners write in about home-repair businesses, vertical siding, and click-together flooring and ask about stucco, build teams and building product warranties.
1/5/20241 hour, 4 minutes, 3 seconds
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#612: Water Pipes, Attic Air-Sealing, and the Durability of AeroBarrier

Peter is navigating the Massachusetts stretch building code. Jim needs help choosing a domestic water pipe system. Wayne wants to tighten his attic. Adam asks about long-term tests of AeroBarrier.
12/29/20231 hour, 1 minute, 9 seconds
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#611: With Bill Beleck: Shou Sugi Ban, Surplus Building Products, and Air-Sealing Overhanging Joists

The crew hears from listeners about contracting in high-end zip codes and the economy of electric cars. Discussion questions include installing shou sugi ban forest products, saving leftover material, and how to air-seal a floor system that overhangs the foundation.
12/22/20231 hour, 1 minute, 20 seconds
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#610: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 6

The editors discuss widening an existing deck, modern timber-frame buildings, inexpensive building products, work vehicles, and installing a vented bath fan in this best-of compilation.
12/15/202359 minutes, 36 seconds
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#Podcast 609: Flashing a Metal Building, Energy Retrofits, and Siting a House

Peter’s DIY addition appears on Google Street View. Ed shares a chart of common house problems. A listener says ethernet cables are not for lighting. Evan asks for help flashing the bottom of a metal building.  Listeners email about energy retrofits and siting new houses.
12/8/20231 hour, 8 minutes, 58 seconds
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#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.
12/1/20231 hour, 6 minutes, 2 seconds
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#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.
11/24/20231 hour, 3 minutes, 53 seconds
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#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.
11/17/20231 hour, 1 minute
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#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.
11/10/20231 hour, 1 minute, 11 seconds
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#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.
11/3/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 10 seconds
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#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.
10/27/20231 hour, 3 minutes, 54 seconds
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#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.
10/20/20231 hour, 20 seconds
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#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.
10/13/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 17 seconds
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#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 his home’s humidity.
10/6/20231 hour, 1 minute, 11 seconds
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#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.
9/29/20231 hour, 54 seconds
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#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.
9/22/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 9 seconds
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#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.
9/15/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 29 seconds
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#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.
9/8/20231 hour, 1 minute, 56 seconds
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#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.
9/1/202358 minutes, 1 second
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#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.
8/29/202337 minutes, 35 seconds
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#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.
8/25/202358 minutes, 47 seconds
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#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.
8/22/202339 minutes, 19 seconds
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#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.
8/18/202358 minutes, 39 seconds
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#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. 
8/15/202340 minutes, 50 seconds
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#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 screws for framing. Wade wants to know which construction trade shows he should visit. 
8/11/20231 hour, 1 minute, 2 seconds
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#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. 
8/8/202343 minutes, 9 seconds
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#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.
8/4/20231 hour, 40 seconds
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#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.
8/1/202338 minutes, 42 seconds
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#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.
7/28/202353 minutes, 44 seconds
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#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.
7/25/202335 minutes, 8 seconds
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#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.
7/21/202357 minutes, 28 seconds
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#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.
7/18/202329 minutes, 39 seconds
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#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.
7/14/20231 hour, 15 seconds
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#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.
7/11/202332 minutes, 3 seconds
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#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.
7/7/20231 hour, 11 seconds
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#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.
7/4/202338 minutes, 27 seconds
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#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. James wonders if he really needs an expansion tank.
6/30/20231 hour, 22 seconds
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#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.
6/27/202332 minutes, 8 seconds
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#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.
6/23/20231 hour, 42 seconds
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#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.
6/20/202334 minutes, 20 seconds
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#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.
6/16/202358 minutes, 23 seconds
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#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.
6/13/202331 minutes, 21 seconds
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#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.
6/9/202357 minutes, 59 seconds
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#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.
6/6/202328 minutes, 38 seconds
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#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.
6/2/20231 hour, 33 seconds
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#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.
5/30/202346 minutes, 14 seconds
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#567: Soundproofing, Garage Doors, and Rotted Balconies

Row homes, wealthy clients, quiet walls, garage-door airtightness, rotted balconies, and foundation improvements.
5/26/20231 hour, 1 minute, 7 seconds
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#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.
5/23/202351 minutes, 57 seconds
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#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.
5/19/202358 minutes, 58 seconds
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#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.
5/16/202346 minutes, 28 seconds
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#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.
5/12/20231 hour, 1 minute, 27 seconds
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#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.
5/9/202353 minutes, 18 seconds
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#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 making his own windows.
5/5/202359 minutes, 11 seconds
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#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.
5/2/202344 minutes, 56 seconds
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#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.
4/28/202358 minutes, 40 seconds
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#558: PRO TALK With Civil Engineer Zachary Kuegler

Patrick talks to Zachary Kuegler, an expert in water supply and distribution, about updating municipal water systems, the bad things that can be in your water, and what it takes to be a civil engineer.
4/25/202340 minutes, 50 seconds
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#557: Living Space Under Decks, Attic Insulation, and Sinking Concrete

The crew talks about hydronic floors, old-house features, underdeck living space, insulation, brick fireblocking, and problem basement floors.
4/21/202349 minutes, 39 seconds
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#556: PRO TALK With Mold Expert Evan Bache Wiig

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Evan Bache Wiig, a mold-assessment consultant, about construction in Dallas, Texas, why buildings have mold problems, and the tools required by a mold-assessment consultant.
4/18/202352 minutes, 18 seconds
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#555: New-Build Questions, Low-Down Lasers, and Drying Behind Tile

The crew talks about concrete used in renewable energy, designing your own home, lasers for low spaces, and drying behind tile.
4/14/202354 minutes, 53 seconds
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#554: PRO TALK With Director of Good Things Keegan McAuliffe

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Keegan McAuliffe, Owner and Director of Good Things at Capra Home Concepts in Naples, Idaho about building your own home, working in a booming but remote area and high-performance building on a budget.
4/11/202340 minutes, 28 seconds
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#553: Live from JLC Live in Providence, R.I.

Patrick and Andrew talk with builder Jon Beer and the president of Duration Molding and Millwork products, Keith Coleman, about the great learning opportunities at JLC Live and all the cool stuff on the Expo Floor.
4/7/202331 minutes, 30 seconds
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#552: PRO TALK With Architect and Builder Marcos Santa Ana

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to architect Marcos Santa Ana about Passive House, the benefits of having a team with diverse backgrounds, and producing well-designed homes.
4/4/202341 minutes, 19 seconds
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#551: Power Tool Batteries, Building as a Third Career, and High DIY

Ben says to check your library for Taunton titles. Jonathan shows us how U.S. homes are heated. Marc likes linoleum. Paul wants universal tool batteries. Roger wonders about insulating a steel-frame building. Andrew asks about safely doing high work. Kevin is building carriage doors for his shop.
3/31/202354 minutes, 51 seconds
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#550: PRO TALK With Carpentry Program Instructor Sandy Thistle and Graduate David Abreu

Ian, Sandy, and David discuss teaching the carpentry trade in a classroom environment, recruiting students from nontraditional backgrounds, and ways contractors can build a relationship with local trade schools.
3/28/202348 minutes, 8 seconds
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#549: Energy Upgrades, Chimney Inspections, and Questions About a Home You Might Buy

Mike has advice about anvils. Domas clarifies Canadian code on interior poly sheeting. Nicky asks about improving airtightness. Sam asks if a chimney cleaning is the same as a chimney inspection. A prospective homebuyers wonders what questions to ask sellers about a home you’re considering buying. The crew contemplates old-house features.
3/24/202358 minutes, 28 seconds
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#548: PRO TALK With Design/Build Operations Manager Jessica Bishop-Smyser

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Jessica Bishop-Smyser, Operations Manager at Silent Rivers Design+Build, about the challenges of producing a wide variety of projects and keeping them on budget.
3/21/202343 minutes, 35 seconds
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#547: Basement Insulation, Historic Preservation Resources, and Shipping Container ADUs

Mike, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about construction productivity and kitchen remodels with FHB’s help, before taking questions about insulating a basement, resources to teach historic preservation, and making an ADU from a steel shipping container.
3/17/202357 minutes, 19 seconds
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#546: PRO TALK With Architect and Builder Jason Langkammerer

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Jason Langkammerer of AT6 Architecture + Design Build about growing up with a builder for a father, starting your own business, and the challenges of working in the Bay Area.
3/14/202342 minutes, 25 seconds
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#545: Mystery Fasteners, Basement-Ceiling Insulation, and Mixed-Use Malls

The crew hears from listeners about Bonfiglioli walls and ready-mix concrete before taking listener questions about weird screws, insulating a basement ceiling, and suburban mall redevelopment.
3/10/20231 hour, 1 minute, 45 seconds
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#544: PRO TALK With HVAC Product Rep Maria Lauber

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Ian talks to Maria Lauber of Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC about the Inflation Reduction Act, heat pumps, and contractor training programs.
3/7/202341 minutes, 58 seconds
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#543: Affordable Flooring, Replacing Replacement Windows, and Low-Flow Fans

The crew hears from listeners about galvanic corrosion and the satisfaction that comes from tradework before taking listener questions about durable low-cost flooring, replacing previously replaced windows, and diagnosing a poorly performing bath fan.
3/3/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
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#542: PRO TALK With Building Apprentice Zac Strauss

Patrick talks to Zac Strauss, a home-building apprentice in New Zealand, about how homes are built in New Zealand, how tradespeople have higher social status, and how exposing kids and adults to trade craft is good for them and society. 
2/28/202347 minutes, 29 seconds
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#541: Small-Project Discrimination, Control Layers, and Air-Quality Monitors

The crew hears from listeners about ridge vents and sand separators before taking listener questions about finding a contractor to remodel a small kitchen, locating air- and water-control layers, and monitoring indoor-air quality.
2/24/20231 hour, 1 minute, 33 seconds
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#540: PRO TALK With Production Manager Dan Purnell

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Dan Purnell, production manager at Alloy Workshop, about working with in-house architects, building architecturally driven projects, and having a career background from outside the construction industry.
2/21/202336 minutes, 56 seconds
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#539: Seasonal Gaps in Flooring, AeroBarrier for Existing Homes, and Wood Foundations

The crew hears from listeners about LED lights and DIY solar before taking questions about seasonal movement of softwood flooring, tightening an 1850s house, and a permanent-wood foundation for a new build.
2/17/20231 hour, 3 minutes, 47 seconds
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#538: PRO TALK With Painting Contractor Luke DiBlasi

In this Pro-Talk podcast FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to painting contractor Luke DiBlasi, of DiBlasi Painting, about high end paint finishes, operating a family business, and the importance of prep work and employee training.
2/14/202350 minutes, 59 seconds
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#537: Bowed Block Walls, Air-Sealing a Post-Frame Shop, and a Rotten Door Jamb Fix

The crew hears from listeners about Vancouver Special houses and wind-blown trash before taking questions about a bowed foundation wall, air-sealing and insulating a new shop, and fixing a door jamb with Bondo.
2/10/20231 hour, 44 seconds
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#536: PRO TALK With Electrical Engineer Justin Czok

Patrick talks to Justin Czok, an electrical engineer who helped develop cordless power tools for Milwaukee about cordless power tools, tool batteries, and how engineers see the world.
2/7/202342 minutes, 28 seconds
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#535: Air-Sealing Cape Houses, Smart Watches for Builders, and Repairing Spalling Concrete

The crew hears about extra time for DIY and minivans for work before taking questions about boosting the comfort and efficiency of Cape houses and fixing a spalling foundation.
2/3/20231 hour, 1 second
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#534: PRO TALK With Build Director Steve Inch

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Steve Inch, Director of Build at TriVistaUSA, about working on homes in the nation’s capital, managing teams, and working with in-house designers.
1/31/202334 minutes, 34 seconds
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#533: Missing-Middle Housing, Collateral Damage From Demo, and Midwest BS Symposium

The crew hear from listeners about good construction screws and Chicago building codes before taking questions about improving a row house and fixing tile substrates.
1/27/20231 hour, 1 minute, 9 seconds
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#532: PRO TALK With Engineer Stephen MacDougall

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to structural engineer Stephen MacDougall about building collapses, how engineers are made, and what engineers look for when house shopping.
1/24/202346 minutes, 37 seconds
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#531: Fixing Old Felt, Outsulation Penetrations, and Demolition by Neglect

The crew hears about carbon and workwear for women before taking questions about repairing asphalt felt, vent terminations, and demolition by neglect.
1/20/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 43 seconds
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#530: PRO TALK With Architecture Student Phillip Schladweiler

Ian and Phillip discuss technical college programs in carpentry and architecture, learning on the job, and why you should give a career in the building trades a chance.
1/17/202333 minutes, 27 seconds
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#529: Cold Floors, Galvanic Corrosion, and Siding Over Board Sheathing

The crew hear from listeners about cold-weather gear and smart watches before taking questions about warming a cold house, using galvanized fasteners with aluminum flashing, and siding over board sheathing.
1/13/20231 hour, 1 minute, 3 seconds
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#528: PRO TALK With Construction Director Scott Fridrych

FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt and Scott Fridrych, Director of Construction at LivCo in Chicago, discuss how a remodeling company can provide a higher level of customer service to their clients and how managing a remodeling company compares to production home building.
1/10/202337 minutes, 7 seconds
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#527: Sloping Decks, Brick-Filled Framing, and Skylights

The crew hear from listeners about codes and tube skylights, before taking questions about significantly-sloped decks, masonry-filled stud bays and installing skylights in a cathedral ceiling.
1/6/20231 hour, 1 minute, 6 seconds
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#526: PRO TALK With Remodeling-Business Expert Victoria Downing

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Victoria Downing, president of Remodeler’s Advantage, about understanding business financials and the importance of learning from your peers.
1/3/202338 minutes, 54 seconds
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#525: Low-Budget Builds, Artificial Intelligence, and Trade School Curriculum

The crew answers questions about affordable new-house builds, AI in construction, and trade school education. Brendan shows us a house where all the framing is visible on cold mornings. Justin explains power tool batteries. Doug Horgan has thoughts on fireplace doors and roofs. 
12/30/20221 hour, 9 minutes, 22 seconds
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#524: PRO TALK With Design Department Manager Candice Rania

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Candice Rania, Design Department Manager at Leff Design Build, about moving into management roles, using the EOS model, and managing creative people.
12/27/202241 minutes, 23 seconds
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#523: Digital Shower Valves, DIY Foam Outsulation, and Air-Sealing Stem Walls

The crew hear from listeners about DIY foam outsulation and chemical sensitivity before taking questions about digital shower valves, wonky concrete floors, and insulating stem walls.
12/23/20221 hour, 3 minutes, 11 seconds
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#522: PRO TALK With Contractors Heather Thompson & Mark Pollard

In this Pro-Talk podcast FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Heather Thompson and Mark Pollard, Owners of Juniper Design Build, about working on an island, high performance building and the design build process.
12/20/202240 minutes, 35 seconds
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#521: Missed Opportunities, Lax Airtightness Testing, and Low-Slope Roofs Under Solar

The crew hear from listeners about insulation and getting kids into trade work before taking questions on bad rehabs, poor enforcement of airtightness rules and what’s the best low-slope roof.
12/16/202253 minutes, 46 seconds
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#520: PRO TALK With Construction Attorney Tyler Berding

Patrick and Tyler talk about common construction defects, what contractors can do to prevent defect lawsuits, and what’s going on with the Millennium Tower.
12/13/202236 minutes, 2 seconds
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#519: Budget-Minded Designers, Insulating Paint, and Roof Details

The crew hear from listeners about radon, termites and home workshops, before taking questions about finding a good designer, insulating paint, and fan-supplied fireplaces.
12/9/20221 hour, 1 minute, 46 seconds
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#518: PRO TALK With Embodied Carbon Researcher Chris Magwood

FHB Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to Chris Magwood, Director of Research at Builders for Climate Action, about tools for measuring the embodied carbon of building materials and how to build using carbon-storing materials.
12/6/202235 minutes, 1 second
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#517: Sizing Stringers for Wet Wood, Odd Foundations, and Concrete Domes

The crew hears about indoor-air quality and reclaiming flooring before taking questions about stair stringers, mudsill details, and building a concrete dome.
12/2/202255 minutes, 34 seconds
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#516: PRO TALK With Carpenter Antonio Lama

In this Pro-Talk podcast, FHB contributor Ian Schwandt talks to lead carpenter Antonio Lama about being a lead carpenter with an economics degree, becoming interested in high-performance building, and career opportunities for tradespeople.
11/29/202233 minutes, 47 seconds
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#515: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 4

Listen and laugh as the crew navigate the trials and tribulations of residential building, design, and remodeling in some of our favorite clips from episodes 155 to 200.
11/25/202251 minutes, 8 seconds
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#514: PRO TALK With Carpenter Leah Stargardter

Fine Homebuilding Contributor Ian Schwandt talks to carpentry-program graduate Leah Stargardter about the Madison College Remodeling Carpentry Program, working in urban environments, and construction workforce diversity.
11/22/202240 minutes, 27 seconds
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#513: Trusses in a Fire, Roof Outsulation, and Problems With Spray Foam

The crew hears from listeners about tilt-turn windows and roof sheathing before taking listener questions about trusses, rigid insulation on the roof, and spray foam.
11/18/20221 hour, 21 seconds
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#512: PRO TALK With Water-Heater Expert Spencer Pope

Patrick talks to Spencer Pope of Bradford White, water-heater manufacturer, about making your water heater last longer, the breakdown of how Americans heat domestic hot water, and the strange calls that come into customer service.
11/15/202236 minutes, 39 seconds
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#511: Floor-to-Ceiling Windows, Spray-Foaming Stone Foundations, and Supporting Cast-Iron Waste Lines (site)

Mike, Ian, and Patrick hear from a listener about patience versus experience, before taking questions about tall windows, insulating stone foundations, and holding up cast-iron waste and vent stacks.
11/11/202258 minutes, 9 seconds
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#510: PRO TALK With Engineer Steve Rogers

Patrick talks to Steve Rogers, president of The Energy Conservatory, about the tools of building science, what it’s like to have a niche business, and the integration of building science into HVAC work.
11/8/202243 minutes, 15 seconds
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#509: Fiberboard Sheathing, Big Holes in Concrete, and Makeup Air for Crawlspaces

Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about holey sheathing and making the most of an existing home, before taking questions on wall stack-ups, drilling holes in concrete foundations, and HVAC systems in a mixed climate.
11/4/202258 minutes, 15 seconds
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#508: PRO TALK With Code Council VP Ryan Colker

Patrick talks to Ryan Colker, Vice President of Innovation at the International Code Council, about off-site construction as a way to address multiple societal and industry challenges including affordability, resilience, and workforce availability.
11/1/202231 minutes, 53 seconds
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#507: Live From the Southeast Building Science Symposium

In this live recording from the last day of the show, Patrick, Andrew, Nathan Shirai, and Andy Steele talk about what they learned at the first Southeast Building Science Symposium and the challenges of building in the southeast.
10/28/20221 hour, 3 minutes, 13 seconds
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#506: PRO TALK With Tile-Installation Systems Expert Chris Hossler

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Schluter sales rep Chris Hossler about how to achieve a high-quality tile installation and why so many building-products companies do such a poor job of training and support for their products.
10/25/202234 minutes, 45 seconds
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#505: Dirty Band Joists, Taping Roof Sheathing, and Affordable High-Performance Windows

The crew hear from listeners about winterizing foundations and lazy additions before taking questions about air-sealing band joists, sheathing tape, and good windows at a reasonable price.
10/21/202257 minutes, 31 seconds
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#504: PRO TALK With Contractor Charlie Stewart

Patrick talks to Charlie Stewart, a contractor in Altamont, N.Y., about what it’s like to work on old houses, sacrifices to please good customers, and renovating Charlie's historic home.
10/18/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 6 seconds
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#503: Not Quite a Scrape-Off, Too Tight for Insulation, and Weather-Beaten Felt Paper

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about stopping sound between floors and the world’s worst drywall finishing, before taking questions about leaving small parts of homes standing, insulating inaccessible attic spaces, and leaving felt underlayment exposed.
10/14/202259 minutes, 40 seconds
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#502: PRO TALK With Lumberyard Manager Cesar Gonzalez

Patrick talks to Cesar Gonzalez, store manager at 84 Lumber, about the lumber business, building-material customers, and what it’s like to run a busy lumberyard.
10/11/202231 minutes, 13 seconds
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#501: Unventing an Attic, Holey Roof Sheathing, and the Cost of New Builds

Andrew, Mike Guertin and Patrick hear from listeners about lead times for windows, the right grout for the job, and being an owner-builder, before taking questions about plugging the vents in a low-slope roof, the condition of sheathing after multiple reroofs, and how to contain costs for new builds.
10/7/20221 hour, 1 minute
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#500: PRO TALK With Designer Marianne Cusato

Patrick talks to Marianne Cusato about the things we’re getting right and wrong with current American architecture and why people who already have a home should worry about affordable housing.
10/4/202244 minutes, 58 seconds
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#499: Live from the Midwest Building Science Symposium

Andrew, Patrick, Travis Brungardt, and Joe Cook share what they’ve learned and discuss why you should go to one of this year’s remaining Building Science Symposiums in Chattanooga or Austin, before taking questions from attendees about things they heard or learned at the show.
9/30/202235 minutes, 11 seconds
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#498: PRO TALK With Attorney Karalynn Cromeens

Patrick talks to Karalynn Cromeens, an attorney who specializes in work for construction firms, about the importance of good contracts, the new bargaining power of subcontractors, and the value of trusting your gut.
9/27/202225 minutes, 10 seconds
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#498: PRO TALK With Attorney Karalynn Cromeens

Patrick talks to Karalynn Cromeens, an attorney who specializes in work for construction firms, about the importance of good contracts, the new bargaining power of subcontractors, and the value of trusting your gut.
9/27/20220
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#497: Spray-Foaming a Roof, Rattly Walls, and Sealing Nail Holes

Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about salvaged wood flooring, going all-electric, and protecting a foundation during a prolonged build before taking questions about energy improvements for an old Victorian, fixing shaky walls from slamming doors, and sealing holes left by roofing nails.
9/23/202258 minutes, 27 seconds
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#496: PRO TALK With Construction-Fastener Experts Dave Ellis and Mark Guthrie

Patrick, Dave and Mark talk about the evolution of structural fasteners, how fasteners are tested to ensure they work as intended, and common mistakes when using them.
9/20/202246 minutes, 29 seconds
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#495: Cracked Floor Tile, Vapor Control in Cold Climates, and a Very Soggy Meter Socket

Andrew, Ian and Patrick hear from listeners about radon and excavation contracting before taking questions about fixing the floor in an Eisenhower-era bathroom, vapor control for a small shop in Manitoba, and water pouring from this home’s electrical service entrance.
9/16/202257 minutes, 28 seconds
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#494: PRO TALK With Off-Site Construction Advocate Dave Cooper

Patrick talks to Dave Cooper, a construction-media content creator and YouTube presenter who advocates for panelized and modular construction methods, about the advantages of off-site construction and ways it can speed the building process and help solve the affordability crisis.
9/13/202235 minutes, 30 seconds
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#493: Settling Beams, Multizone Minisplits, and Fixing Stone Foundations

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about porch conversions, sawing your own lumber, and pandemic remodeling before taking listener questions about noticeable settlement, multihead minisplits, and repairing a stone foundation.
9/9/202257 minutes, 9 seconds
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#492: PRO TALK With Bookkeeper Tara Johnson

Patrick and Tara talk about how contractors can better track their financials, what bookkeeping information they should be able to produce in a few keystrokes, and what to do when your business has you feeling overwhelmed.
9/6/202226 minutes, 48 seconds
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#491: Above-Garage ADUs, Paper-Faced Polyiso, and Leveling Floor Joists

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about building your own house and the cost of electrical work, before taking questions about above-garage living spaces, using paper-faced insulation behind siding, and leveling a sawn-lumber floor system.
9/2/202258 minutes, 29 seconds
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#490: PRO TALK With Coatings Contractor Kevin Smith

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to epoxy floor finish contractor Kevin Smith about decorative epoxy floor finishes and a lifetime spent working on houses.
8/30/202240 minutes, 57 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 22, Nathan Shirai, Insulation Unlimited

A part time gig as a bookkeeper at an insulation company lead to a passion for building science and eventually, becoming the owner of Insulation Unlimited in Chattanooga, TN. Nathan Shirai is passionate about using insulation to help buildings perform better, and he’s also a founder of Chattanooga’s BS and Beer chapter. Head to bsandbeerkc.org to register for the Southeast Building Science Symposium, October 12-13, at The Bode, in beautiful downtown Chattanooga, TN. And keep up with Nathan on Instagram @insulation_unlimited.
8/28/202238 minutes, 33 seconds
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#489: Garage Walls, Builds That Take a Long Time, and Radon in the Root Cellar

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about one- vs. two-story builds and thermodynamics before taking questions about detailing garage-separation walls, building a new house in stages, and the risks of a root cellar with radon.
8/26/20221 hour, 5 minutes, 27 seconds
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#488: PRO TALK With Builder and Remodeler Andy Steele

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Andy Steele about finding your niche as a contractor and what you can do to prepare for possible lean times ahead.
8/23/202230 minutes, 58 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 21, Carly Carey, Plumber

After 11 years as a middle school and high school teacher, Carly Carey wanted to do something new. Fond of HGTV and This Old House, her partner encouraged her to think about the trades. She contacted a bunch of plumbers in the Twin Cities, and one emailed her back. Three years later, she’s on the way to becoming a journey-level plumber with Eric Nelson Plumbing.
8/21/202228 minutes, 35 seconds
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#487: Cedar Closets, Conditioning a Woodshop, and Regional Construction Jargon

Travis, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about wet versus dry air, micro toppings for concrete, and good fences before taking questions about vapor retarders for a cedar closet, heating and cooling a woodshop, and regional differences in construction terms.
8/19/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 33 seconds
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#486: PRO TALK With Builder and Remodeler Mason Lord of HVP in Kent, CT

Patrick and Mason talk about an event they hope will encourage more people to consider trade work and enjoy satisfaction that goes with it.
8/16/202235 minutes, 50 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 20, Ian Schwandt, TDS Custom Construction

Ian Schwandt found the trades after deciding college wasn’t for him. Trained by the carpenter’s union, he’s worked on all kinds of projects both in the midwest and on the east coast. At the start of the pandemic, he and his wife moved back to his family farmstead in Wisconsin to build their own home. Today, he’s working on being a leader and manager, keeping a tab on costs TDS Custom Construction and helping folks find their footing in the trades.
8/14/20220
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#485: Air-Sealing a Mobile Home, Owner/Builder Tests, and Ready-to-Tile Shower Bases

Brian Pontolilo, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about hygric buoyancy and wet basement floors before taking listener questions about air-sealing the floor of a vintage mobile home, taking building tests, and the right mortar for ready-to-tile shower pans.
8/12/202259 minutes, 34 seconds
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#484: PRO TALK With Color Consultant Paula Gaull

Patrick and Paula talk about how colors make us feel, how to test colors before fully committing, and staging a property so people want to buy it.
8/9/202236 minutes, 3 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 19, Jesse Neumann, Arborist

Jesse Neumann loves trees. He’s a certified arborist and works for the city of Austin, TX. In this episode of Keep Craft Alive, he talks about the challenges of the industry, keeping trees alive in Texas, and the importance of taking good care of the tree canopy.
8/7/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
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FHB Podcast: Special Edition With Neil Freidberg of Louisiana Pacific and Kyle Stumpenhorst of RR Buildings

In this special edition of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Patrick talks to engineer Neil Freidberg and builder Kyle Stumpenhorst about creating effective building envelopes.
8/5/202236 minutes, 27 seconds
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#483: Recalled Electrical Panels, Drainage Behind Brick, and Lazy Additions

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about HVAC myths and mapping electrical systems, before taking questions about recalled electrical panels, finishing basement ceilings, and water management behind brick.
8/5/202259 minutes
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#482: PRO TALK With Town Lister Bob Goodfellow

Bob and Patrick talk about how towns assess taxes when you add-on or change your property, the pain and joy of working with your hands, and rescuing a foreclosed disaster of a house. 
8/2/202243 minutes, 35 seconds
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#482: PRO TALK With Town Lister Bob Goodfellow

Bob and Patrick talk about how towns assess taxes when you add-on or change your property, the pain and joy of working with your hands, and rescuing a foreclosed disaster of a house. 
8/2/20220
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 18, Kate Hersey and the Minnesota Tool Library

Kate Hersey, executive director of the Minnesota Tool Library is passionate about getting tools into the hands of more folks. Through her work at the non-profit tool lending library, she and her community of volunteers introduce hands-on tool skills to their members.
7/31/20221 hour, 7 minutes, 48 seconds
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#481: Detailing a Slab, High-Performance Water Heaters, and DIY Dense-Pack

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about HVAC training, wood pellets, and minisplits before taking questions about thermal breaks for slabs, split-style heat-pump water heaters, and doing your own dense-pack cellulose insulation.
7/29/20221 hour, 9 minutes, 56 seconds
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#480: PRO TALK With Painter-Remodelers Miquel and David McCarley

Miquel, David, and Patrick talk about starting a painting and remodeling business, getting customers to think outside the box, and the creative and financial rewards of being a contractor.
7/26/202237 minutes, 13 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 17, Beth Pointer, Done Construction

Beth Pointer is celebrating five years in business as a contractor, through it’s been a long journey to get there, with a path that leads from an English major, to ironworking and labor organizing. Her remodeling business, Done Construction, now focuses on kitchens and baths.
7/25/202234 minutes, 43 seconds
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#479: One Story or Two, Basement Bunkers, and the Best DIY Spray Foam

Ian, Andrew, and Patrick hear from listeners about heat flow and population density by climate zone before taking questions on one-story vs. two-story construction costs, controlling vapor through a slab, and the best brand of DIY spray foam.
7/22/202259 minutes, 36 seconds
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#478: PRO TALK With Home-Technology Expert Mike Bennett

Mike and Patrick talk about the craft of low-voltage wiring, how to futureproof homes for technology upgrades, and why trade workers need to understand building science.
7/19/20221 hour, 1 minute, 55 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 16, Joe Cook and Travis Brungardt, Midwest Building Science Symposium

Learn more about the upcoming Midwest Building Science Symposium and why it’s important to grow in your trade.
7/18/202246 minutes, 31 seconds
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#477: Air-Sealing Electrical Boxes, 2x3s for a Shed, and Keeping Pipes From Freezing

Kiley, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about climate control for sheds, energy audits, and water-heater condensate before taking questions about air-sealing electrical boxes, building with 2x3s, and keeping pipes warm with insulation.
7/15/202259 minutes, 27 seconds
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#476: PRO TALK With Carpenter Caleb Carpenter

Patrick talks to Caleb Carpenter, owner of Rad Wood Works, a contracting firm near Albany, N.Y., about starting a carpentry business, why it’s tough to find good tradespeople, and what it’s like buying a starter home right now.
7/12/202247 minutes, 8 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 15, Randy Williams, Northern Built

Randy Williams gets to do a little bit of everything in his market, and that variety is key to a fulfilling career
7/11/202237 minutes, 17 seconds
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#475: Material Delivery, End Dams on Head Flashing, and Sealing Barbara’s Barn

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about exposed sheathing and setting up for a blower-door test before taking listener questions about delivery subcontractors, how to make a head flashing, and sealing a post-frame building at grade.
7/8/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 38 seconds
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#474: PRO TALK With Production Manager Morgan Thomas

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Morgan Thomas, production manager for Leff Construction, a design/build firm in Sebastopol, Calif., about managing client expectations, the challenges of building in California, and affordable housing for trade workers.
7/5/202232 minutes, 4 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 14, Ryan Shanahan, Birdsmouth Design-Build

From rock and roll to building science, the career trajectory for Ryan wasn’t necessarily a straight line, but he’s found a true calling.
7/3/202234 minutes, 25 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast, Episode 13: Andrew Zoellner, New KCA Executive Director

In this episode, Rob introduces Andrew Zoellner, current Editorial Director of Fine Homebuilding and Green Building Advisor, as the new Executive Director of Keep Craft Alive. 
7/1/202228 minutes, 51 seconds
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#473: Heat Rising, Removing Chimneys, and Undersized Nailer Nails

Ian, Andrew, and Patrick hear from listeners about design software and building costs before taking questions about heat flow, removing a chimney, and the right nails for sheathing.  
7/1/20221 hour, 6 minutes, 54 seconds
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#472: PRO TALK With Architects Lindsey Love and Lindsay Schack

Patrick, Lindsay, and Lindsey talk about the challenges of building in the Mountain West, the difficulties in assembling the right team for a high-performance build, and the rewards of creating functional and beautiful spaces.
6/28/202248 minutes, 34 seconds
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#471: Adding Outsulation, Sealing Leaky Bump-Outs, and HVAC for a Shed Office

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about shingle colors and Google’s new office building before taking questions on installing foam insulation over T1-11, improving the comfort and thermal performance of overhanging bump-outs, and the best way to heat and cool a shed office.
6/24/20221 hour, 3 minutes, 6 seconds
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#470: PRO TALK With Builder Mike Knoche

Patrick and Mike talk about the complications of building in interior Alaska, learning the business of contracting, and how to earn more while working less.
6/21/202245 minutes, 56 seconds
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#469: Blue Goo on Framing, Painting Open Soffits, and Whole-House Dehumidifiers

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about electric water heaters and the future of home building before taking questions about blue stuff on framing, painting open soffits, and whole-house dehumidification in wet climates.
6/17/202256 minutes, 29 seconds
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#468: PRO TALK With Shutter Manufacturer Rick Skidmore

Patrick talks to Rick Skidmore, founder and CEO of Timberlane, a shutter and garage-door manufacturer, about the utility and beauty of real exterior shutters and what drives someone to entrepreneurship.
6/14/202239 minutes, 25 seconds
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#467: Crawlspace Ductwork, Heat-Pump Hydronic Heating, and Unconditioned Basement Rooms

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about termites and heat pumps before taking questions about hot attic living space, using fiberglass reinforced panels (FRP) for sheathing, and bringing underporch rooms into the thermal envelope.
6/10/20221 hour, 6 minutes, 29 seconds
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#466: PRO TALK With Construction Supervisor Aron Jones

Patrick and Aron talk about the challenges of building on a small island, making the switch from business owner to employee, and training the next generation of builders.
6/7/202251 minutes, 13 seconds
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#465: Design Software, Siding Nails, and Basement Insulation

Andrew, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about ground-source heat pumps and air leaks before taking questions about design software, installing pine siding on a tiny house, and the right nails for cedar lap siding.
6/3/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
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#464: PRO TALK With Josh Orman of 3M

Patrick talks to Josh Orman, director of marketing and strategy at 3M, about advancements in roofing shingles and how granules are produced, sold, and tested.
5/31/202234 minutes, 2 seconds
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#463: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 3

The editors discuss straw-bale construction, corded vs. cordless tools, gas space heaters, repairing shrinking molding, and much more in these clips from episodes 150-154.
5/27/202245 minutes, 9 seconds
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#462: PRO TALK With Construction Attorney Karalynn Cromeens

Patrick talks to Karalynn Cromeens, an attorney who specializes in work for construction firms, about the ways contractors can improve their chance of getting paid, as well as important clauses that should be in their contracts.
5/24/202226 minutes, 3 seconds
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#461: Adding a Screened Porch, Insulating a Raised Addition, and Preventing Termites in Exterior Foam

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about low decks and landslides, before taking questions about converting a deck to a screened porch, insulating the floor of a raised addition, and detailing exterior foam insulation.
5/20/20221 hour, 1 minute, 26 seconds
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#460: PRO TALK With Builder Keith Bohling

Keith and Patrick talk about affordable high-performance homes, easy ways to boost home efficiency, and the low-load house Keith built for himself.
5/17/202248 minutes, 31 seconds
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#459: Leaky Attic Stairs, Right-Sizing Heat Pumps, and Vapor Barriers in Dirt Crawlspaces

Kiley, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about carbon footprints and battery-powered riding mowers before taking questions about drippy attic hatches, right-sizing a heat pump, and detailing a crawlspace vapor barrier.
5/13/202259 minutes, 28 seconds
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#458: PRO TALK With Glue Expert Bob Behnke

Patrick talks to Bob Behnke, technical service manager for Franklin International about how to get stronger glue joints, picking the right glue for the job, and advances in construction adhesives.
5/10/202248 minutes, 8 seconds
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#457: Water Vapor Through Concrete Block, Low-Slung Decks, and Estimating Spreadsheets

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about blower-door bargains and ground-source heat pumps before taking listener questions about water moving through concrete block, close-to-grade decks, and custom spreadsheets for estimating.
5/6/202258 minutes, 45 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Episode 12, Dan Kolbert, Pretty Good House

As one of the founders of the Pretty Good House movement, Dan talks about his shift into building science and why PGH is accessible to everyone from homeowners to builders.
5/4/202238 minutes, 8 seconds
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#456: PRO TALK With Cody Finke of Brimstone Energy

Patrick talks to Cody Finke, CEO of Brimstone Energy, a startup working toward the production of carbon-neutral Portland cement about the amount of concrete we use globally, why it’s a significant source of carbon emissions, and how to make it less polluting.
5/3/202231 minutes, 3 seconds
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#455: Native Lumber, Saving Old Masonry, and Insulating Behind Board Sheathing

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about industry trade shows and retrofit calculators before taking questions on building with native lumber, saving a masonry building, and insulating an old Cape.
4/29/20221 hour, 37 seconds
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#454: PRO TALK With Greg Palese of Klein Tools

Patrick talks to Greg Palese, vice president of marketing at Klein Tools about the history of Klein, why it’s important to make tools in the United States, and what it’s like working for a family-owned company.
4/26/202227 minutes, 2 seconds
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#453: DIY Data Logging, Native Pine Paneling in an Unheated Space, and Gurgling Pipes

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about construction costs, SIP panels, and sliding doors before taking questions about monitoring humidity levels, pine paneling in an unheated outbuilding, and noisy pipes.
4/22/202255 minutes, 59 seconds
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#452: PRO TALK With Keith Bohling of The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Keith Bohling about affordable high-performance homes, using state resources to train workers, and easy ways to boost home efficiency.
4/19/202231 minutes, 19 seconds
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#451: Finishing a Wet Basement, Ground-Source Heat Pumps, and Basement Garages

Andrew, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about supply chains and music on the job before taking questions about finishing a wet basement, ground-source heat pumps, and squeaky floors.
4/15/202256 minutes, 26 seconds
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#450: PRO TALK With NELMA President Jeff Easterling

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to the president of the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association about the history of forest products in the Northeast, why lumber prices are so high, and sustainable forest management.
4/12/202235 minutes, 41 seconds
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#449: Venting Under Shingles, Subslab Vapor Retarders, and Whole-House Fans

Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about hydro air and rustic decks before taking listener questions about ventilation under asphalt shingles, vapor barriers under concrete footings, and keeping cool with a whole-house fan.
4/8/202256 minutes, 41 seconds
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#448: PRO TALK With Engineer Thor Matteson

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks Thor Matteson, an engineer who works on seismic retrofits, about the methods and challenges of seismic reinforcement in the Bay Area of California.
4/5/202240 minutes, 54 seconds
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#447: Combustion Safety, Drippy SIP Roofs, and Hiding AC Line Sets

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about tightening a leaky house and protecting an add-a-level during construction before taking listener questions about improving the draft of combustion appliances, drips from an SIP roof, and an inexpensive way to hide exterior mounted line sets.
4/1/20221 hour, 31 seconds
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#446: PRO TALK With Lumber Wholesalers Todd London and Mike Glowacki

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Todd London and Mike Glowacki of Sherwood Lumber in Melville, N.Y. about supply-chain disruptions, high building-materials costs, and changes in the lumber business.
3/29/202236 minutes, 28 seconds
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#445: Wire Splices, Sauna Details, and Air-Sealing a Room on Piers

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about zoning and photovoltaic windows, before taking listener questions about push-on wire connectors, insulating a sauna, and warming a cold floor.
3/25/202258 minutes, 7 seconds
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#444: PRO TALK With Builder Andrew Grace

Patrick talks to remodeling contractor Andy Grace about the challenges of contracting, how the pandemic has affected residential construction, and what it’s like to build a post-frame building for your business.
3/22/202231 minutes, 44 seconds
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#443: Rotproof Walls, Hardwood Flooring on Concrete, and the Future of Home Building

Ian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about heat pumps and spreadsheets before taking questions on wall assemblies for a complete remodel, hardwood flooring on a concrete slab, and home soil testing.
3/18/20221 hour, 1 minute, 54 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep.11, Elizabeth Disalvo, Net-Zero Architect

With a focus on net-zero homes, Elizabeth talks about how she got into sustainable architecture, working with open-minded contractors, and providing a more affordable net-zero option with prefab homes.
3/15/202237 minutes, 41 seconds
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#442: PRO TALK With HVAC Expert Rich Lavoie

Patrick talks to Rick Lavoie, general manager for Central Cooling and Heating, about opportunities in the heating and cooling industry, the importance of system design and equipment selection, and the ongoing consolidation of HVAC companies.
3/15/202245 minutes, 18 seconds
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#441: Screws vs. Nails, Insulation Behind Board Sheathing, and Details for a New Build

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about hanging cabinets on steel studs and heating workshops before taking listener questions about screws versus nails, insulating a brick house with board sheathing, and construction details for a new build.
3/11/20221 hour, 1 minute, 21 seconds
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#440: PRO TALK With Ali Kronebusch and Tami York of Reconstruction Experts

Patrick talks to chief sales officer Ali Kronebusch and VP of administration and general counsel Tami York, both of Reconstruction Experts, a large construction company specializing in construction defects.
3/8/202241 minutes, 31 seconds
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#439: Crawlspace Ventilation, Settling Foundations, and Getting High-Value Appraisals

Kiley, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about ancient building codes and leaky copper pipes before taking questions about sealing a crawlspace, warming a cold bonus room, and fixing a bath damaged by settlement.
3/4/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 36 seconds
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#438: PRO TALK With Zachary Mannheimer of Alquist 3D

Patrick talks to Zachary Mannheimer, founder and CEO of Alquist 3D, a concrete home producer that uses 3D printing for construction about the challenges of new technology, and how printed concrete homes can help make houses more affordable.  
3/1/202243 minutes, 24 seconds
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#437: Design Second Thoughts, Heating a Small Shop, and Cabinets on Steel Studs

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about opportunity costs, ballooning project budgets, and redoing a bath in a one-bathroom house before taking listener questions about second thoughts on design, heating a small woodshop, and fastening heavy things to light-gauge steel studs.
2/25/20221 hour, 35 seconds
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FHB Podcast: HVAC Expert Chad Gillespie of Mitsubishi Electric

2/24/202233 minutes, 13 seconds
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#436: PRO TALK With Leila Banijamali, Cofounder and CEO of Symbium

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Leila Banijamali, cofounder and CEO of Symbium, a start-up technology company that offers a free portal to help folks navigate regulations and permitting for accessory dwelling units.
2/22/202230 minutes, 35 seconds
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#435: Insulating Block Walls, Stucco Without a Drainage Space, and Mystery Floor Drains

Patrick, Ian, and Kiley hear from listeners about well water, radiant heat, and humps in the floor before taking questions about insulating and finishing block walls, Southwest stucco, and where the floor drain goes.
2/18/20221 hour, 4 minutes, 48 seconds
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#434: PRO TALK With Electrician JP Shipp

Patrick talks to electrician and generator expert JP Shipp, whose company services hundreds of generators annually, about the ins and outs of standby-generator installation, how to make a house generator-ready, and the rising demand for installations.
2/15/202240 minutes, 18 seconds
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#433 Waterproofing Concrete Roofs, Net-Zero in a Cooling Climate, and Don’t Forget Degree Days

Ian, Colin, and Patrick hear from listeners about arc-fault breakers and sizing electric cable and services before taking listener questions about waterproofing a concrete overhang, getting to net-zero in a cooling climate, and using degree days to quantify energy improvements.
2/11/20221 hour, 5 minutes, 12 seconds
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#432: Live From the International Builders’ Show: Emily Mottram, Steve Baczek, and Nick Robertson

Emily, Steve, Nick, and Andrew talk about some of the interesting products they've seen at the show, why it's informative to visit with manufacturers, and the importance of systems in the building envelope.
2/10/202235 minutes, 30 seconds
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#431: PRO TALK With Building-Moisture Consultant Guy de Verges

Patrick and Guy talk about common wet-basement problems and fixes, what to look for when checking out a building lot, and using landscaping to control storm runoff and increase biodiversity. 
2/8/202255 minutes, 24 seconds
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#430: Escalating Remodeling Costs, Drying Behind Back-to-Back Tile, and Protecting Shingle Roofs From High Winds

2/4/202259 minutes, 39 seconds
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#429: PRO TALK With Electrician Rick Harrahill

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Rick Harrahill about training to be an electrician, scary wiring, and enjoying the satisfaction of trade work.
2/1/202242 minutes, 27 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep.10, Ben Blodget, Builder Turned Business Owner

This owner of a remodeling and construction firm describes his atypical career path, from beginning as a laborer to eventually purchasing the company.
1/28/202240 minutes, 54 seconds
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#428: Why Radiant Heat?, Proper Construction Sequencing, and Waterproofing Mansard Windows

Kiley, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about water filters and opportunity costs before taking listener questions about in-floor radiant heat, deviating from the normal construction sequence, and flashing windows in Mansard roofs.
1/28/20221 hour, 3 minutes, 51 seconds
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#427: PRO TALK With Remodeler Amy Ecklund

Patrick talks to remodeler Amy Ecklund, owner of AmyWorks, Inc., about running a remodeling business in a pandemic, successful marketing, and helping clients get through their projects.
1/25/202232 minutes, 54 seconds
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#426: Wet Stucco, Trusses for Second-Story Additions, and Inexpensive Vacation Homes

Andrew, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about attic chimneys and water filters before taking questions about a leaky window in stucco, accurately measuring trusses for an add-a-level, and building an affordable second home.
1/21/20221 hour, 6 minutes, 22 seconds
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#425: PRO TALK With Business Consultant Doug Howard

Patrick talks to Doug Howard, director of consulting for Remodelers Advantage, about how remodelers can grow their businesses and be more profitable.
1/18/202233 minutes, 33 seconds
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#424: Low-Maintenance Black Trim, Foundation Efflorescence, and Roof Outsulation

Andrew, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about PEX tubing and upsizing electrical circuits before taking listener questions about long-lasting black trim, masonry efflorescence, and insulating foundation walls.
1/14/202254 minutes, 17 seconds
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#423: PRO TALK With Builder Jason Kehrer

Patrick talks to home builder and remodeler Jason Kehrer about starting a construction business, finding good help, and the future of residential construction.
1/11/202240 minutes, 7 seconds
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#422: First-Time Remodeling, Insulating a Brick Foundation, and Mysterious Leaks

Mark, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about PEX plumbing and construction software before taking questions about tearing into your first house, tracking down a leak in an exterior wall, and detailing a wood foundation.
1/7/20221 hour, 2 minutes, 4 seconds
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#421: PRO TALK With Carpenter Matthew Millham

Patrick talks to former Fine Homebuilding deputy editor and current carpenter Matthew Millham about his transition from construction media to residential building.
1/4/202240 minutes, 54 seconds
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#420: Soundproofing, Cold Chimneys, and Dealing With Increased Building Costs

Mark, Ian, and Patrick discuss inexpensive soundproofing, building a chase around a chimney in an unconditioned attic, and the current climate of material and labor cost increases.
12/31/20211 hour, 2 minutes, 54 seconds
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#419: PRO TALK with Building Trades Instructor Matt Blomquist

In this episode, Matt describes his journey to becoming a building trades instructor. Matt and Mark talk about the home-building program at Taylorville High School, a typical day in the life of a building trades student, and the various types of people that sign up for Matt’s class.
12/28/202149 minutes, 41 seconds
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#418: Future-Proofing Homes, Tile Subflooring, and Going Without Wall Sheathing

Colin, Mark, and Patrick hear from listeners about rusty lug nuts and getting mortar mixes wrong before taking questions about future-proofing electrical wiring, the right underlayment for floor tile, and using foam insulation for wall sheathing.
12/24/202155 minutes, 59 seconds
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#417: PRO TALK With Restoration Specialist Bob Kelly

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Mark Petersen talks with Bob Kelly about the types of masonry wall assemblies that he works on most and explains why so many of these walls are collecting and filling up with water.
12/21/202148 minutes, 54 seconds
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#416: Video Doorbells, Engineered Siding, and What it Costs to Build Your Own House

Mark, Ian, and Patrick hear from listeners about hex wrenches and PEX plumbing before taking questions about doorbells, engineered siding, and sketchy framing.
12/17/20211 hour, 7 minutes, 57 seconds
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#415: PRO TALK With Builder Justin Zeller

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Justin Zeller of Red House Design/Build about the design/build model, effective job-site management, and balancing client expectations.
12/14/202139 minutes, 44 seconds
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#414: Insulating Band Joists, Saving Salvaged Material, and Fixing Wet Masonry

Mark, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about window condensation and building a business before taking questions about insulating band joists, saving stuff from the dumpster, and dealing with a badly insulated masonry building.
12/10/20211 hour, 8 minutes, 26 seconds
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#413: PRO TALK With Deck Builder Max Hegedus

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to former engineer and professional deck builder Max Hegedus about starting a construction business, the value of continuing education, and balancing job-site work and business.
12/7/202134 minutes, 22 seconds
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#412: Rotted Walls, Saving Energy, and Let-In Bracing

Colin, Mark, and Patrick hear from listeners about reclaimed local lumber and Type O mortar before taking questions about fixing a wall behind poured concrete, energy improvements for an Atlanta home, and the carbon emissions of Portland cement.
12/3/202156 minutes, 38 seconds
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#411: PRO TALK With Electrician David Shapiro

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to David Shapiro, licensed electrician and certified electrical inspector, about the safety of old wiring, the importance of continuing education, and the scary side of bath fans.
11/30/202157 minutes, 11 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep.9, Brian Ciciora, Sam Harris, and Mike Lee of Truewerk

In this episode, Rob talks to the Truewerk team about the goal of providing modern versions of the technical gear that's been worn for 100+ years in the trades. CEO Brian Ciciora describes his career building and fabricating metal in the wintry mountains, and how it both brought him closer to the community while showing him that technical apparel is important for those working in specific positions. 
11/29/202127 minutes, 49 seconds
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#410: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 2

The editors discuss how to retrofit an air barrier, favorite tools, how to build in earthquake country, how to buy old houses, and much more in these clips from episodes 145-149.
11/26/202152 minutes, 25 seconds
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#409: PRO TALK With Passive House Trainer Mariana Pickering

Patrick and Mariana talk about the appeal of Passive House, how to lower US carbon emissions, and how to make residential construction more inclusive.
11/23/202146 minutes, 27 seconds
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#408: Wrinkly Metal Roofs, Job-Site Jointers, and Basement Finishing

Patrick, Mark, and Colin hear from listeners about design software and rain-water collection before taking questions about oil canning in metal roofs, benchtop jointers, and basement finishing.
11/19/20211 hour, 4 minutes, 57 seconds
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#407: PRO TALK With Builder Mason Lord

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Mason Lord of HVP in Kent, CT about running a construction business, do-it-all saws, and the challenges of being a contractor.
11/16/202156 minutes, 34 seconds
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#406: Changing to a Career in Construction, Building Your Own Addition, and Mixing Mortar for Stone

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about electromagnetic radiation and trim over siding before taking listener questions about moving from a software company to construction, building your own addition, and homesteading in Canada.
11/12/20211 hour, 4 minutes, 40 seconds
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#405: PRO TALK With Electrical Operations Supervisor John Williamson

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Mark Petersen talks with John Williamson about the history of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and explains how new codes are created.
11/9/202153 minutes, 29 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 8, Garland Wood, Carpenter of Colonial-Era Buildings

In this episode, Rob talks to Garland about building using 18th-century techniques and processes. Few carpenters have had the opportunity to spend their life continuing a construction legacy as old as America itself. Garland has, and he has helped keep the fabric of our nation’s trade history firmly intact by instructing fellow tradespeople and the public throughout every project.
11/8/202158 minutes, 43 seconds
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#404: Barndominiums, Rough-Milled Lumber, and Pulling Off Ice and Water Shield

Patrick, Mark, and guest host Ian Schwandt hear from listeners about greywater, leak-detection juice, and popcorn ceilings before taking questions on detailing a barndominium, using home-sawn lumber for building, and pulling up sticky layers of roofing.
11/5/20211 hour, 4 minutes, 23 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 7, Aaron Agosto, Professional Photographer and Finish Carpenter

In this special series of episodes of the FHB Podcast, Rob Yagid, executive director of Keep Craft Alive and former Fine Homebuilding editor, shares his conversations with some of the most talented and dedicated people in the world of residential design and construction.
11/2/202125 minutes, 30 seconds
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#403: PRO TALK With Carpenter Laura Smarrito

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to carpenter Laura Smarrito about doing carpentry in Antarctica and Greenland, how to make the trades more inclusive, and the appeal of being challenged every day.
11/2/202146 minutes, 29 seconds
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FHB Podcast: Window Expert Bryan Warring of Pella

In this special episode of the FHB Podcast, Patrick talks to Pella Product Manager Bryan Warring about the benefits of fiberglass windows and doors, how to get reliable installations, and what we can expect for the future of fiberglass fenestration.
11/2/202131 minutes, 5 seconds
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#402: Plugging an Unused Chimney, Heating Cables for Ice Dams, and Air-Sealing a Minnesota Mansion

Rob, Patrick, and Kiley hear from listeners about TikTok, LED lights, and Houston geography before taking questions about sealing a leaky chimney, improving the efficiency of a big old house, and fixing a hole where the rain gets in.
10/29/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 2 seconds
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#401: PRO TALK With Mr. Cedar

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Mark Petersen talks with Paul Mackie (aka Mr. Cedar), a cedar specialist with the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association.
10/26/202145 minutes, 22 seconds
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#400: Wet Basements, The World’s Whitest Paint, and Wonky Window Flashing

Brian, Mark, and Patrick hear from listeners about radon and Bay Area weather, before taking questions about wet basements, reflective paint, and leaky window openings.
10/22/202157 minutes, 3 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 6, Justin Fink, Former Fine Homebuilding Editor and Full-Time Remodeler

In this episode, Rob talks to Justin Fink about leaving his reliable office job—with its steady paycheck—and forging out on his own to start a remodeling company that works on historic homes in and around central Connecticut. Justin never stopped swinging the hammer during all his years as an editor, and this move was a long time coming. Justin and Rob talk about how Justin first got into the trades, and how he ended up where he is today.
10/21/20211 hour, 1 minute, 20 seconds
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#399: PRO TALK With Builder Tom Bodett

Patrick talks to former Alaska-based home builder Tom Bodett about being a builder and helping to start HatchSpace, a woodworking shop, teaching space, and gallery.
10/19/202156 minutes, 10 seconds
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#398: Live from the 2021 Midwest Building Science Symposium

Patrick and Rob Wotzak head to the nation’s heartland to hear about what’s happening with high-performance building in the Midwest.
10/15/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 46 seconds
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#397: PRO TALK With Glass Specialist Jim Larsen

In this episode, Mark and Jim discuss the history of the advancements in residential glass technology, the benefits of low-e coatings, the difference between argon and krypton, and all things residential glass related.
10/12/202139 minutes, 29 seconds
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#396: Protecting Foundation Insulation, Recycling Greywater, and Drying a Damp House

Mark, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about design software and Gold Medallion homes before taking listener questions on using greywater systems, ventilating a damp house, and protecting foundation insulation.
10/8/202159 minutes, 46 seconds
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#395: PRO TALK With Builder and Remodeler Rob Robillard

In this episode, Patrick and Rob talk about running a contracting business, managing client expectations, and the challenges of finding skilled help.
10/5/202139 minutes, 51 seconds
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#394: Wall Assemblies, Cooling a Historic Cabin, and Building on Piers

Mark, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about sawdust stoves and owner-builders before taking listener questions about choosing a wall assembly, cooling a historic cabin, and building on masonry piers.
10/1/20211 hour, 3 minutes, 20 seconds
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#393: PRO TALK With PV System Designer George Hart

Patrick talks to solar-energy-system designer and former installer George Hart about the opportunities in the solar-energy industry, how advances will shape the technology, and what a renewable-energy-powered economy will look like.
9/28/202145 minutes, 59 seconds
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#392: The Best Roofing for PV, Shades to Save Energy, and Taming a Bay Area Energy Hog

Brian, Mark and Patrick hear from listeners about shop teachers and tape for poly sheeting, before taking listener questions on the right roof for a future PV array, controlling radon, and improving the efficiency of a Bay Area house.
9/24/202157 minutes, 10 seconds
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#391: PRO TALK With J.T. Rieves, Vice President – Pro Business at The Home Depot

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to J.T. Rieves about how home centers can answer the needs of trade professionals, why two nearby stores have different inventory, and do home centers have different products than supply houses?
9/21/202134 minutes, 34 seconds
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#390: Long-Lasting Porches, Less-Slippery Steps, and Building Partitions on Laminate Floors

Mark, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about home battery systems and tented tile before taking listener questions about rotted porches, slippery steps, and building partitions on top of laminate flooring.
9/17/20211 hour, 2 minutes, 26 seconds
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#389: PRO TALK With Senior Editor Mark Petersen

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Fine Homebuilding’s newest senior editor, Mark Petersen about construction, journalism, and the joys and trials of building your own house.
9/14/202156 minutes, 39 seconds
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#388: Delayed Windows, Whitewashing Brick, and Cooling Off Upstairs

Brian, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about design software and structure fires before taking questions on installing siding before windows, safety gear for kids, and cooling a hot second floor.
9/10/202157 minutes, 59 seconds
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Sponsored FHB Podcast: Window Expert Travis Eisenbarth of Pella

In this sponsored episode of the FHB podcast, Patrick talks to Pella Product Manager Travis Eisenbarth about wood windows, improvements in glazing, customization options, and delivering on customer expectations.
9/8/202127 minutes, 32 seconds
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#387: PRO TALK With Workwear Makers Josh Walker and Ted De Innocentis

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Massachusetts-based Work-Clothing Makers Josh Walker and Ted De Innocentis about the challenges of making garments in the United States and the value of well-made workwear.
9/7/202153 minutes, 49 seconds
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#386: Job Site Protection, Failed Floor Tile, and DIY Spray Foam

Colin, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about FHB podcast questions and window condensation before taking listener questions about polished concrete, failed tile, and canned spray foam.
9/3/202157 minutes, 25 seconds
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#385: PRO TALK With Shop Teacher Roy Horne

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to his now-retired junior high shop teacher about the value of hands-on education and what can be done to reverse the skilled-trade gap.
8/31/202130 minutes, 50 seconds
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#384: Whole-House Batteries, Roof Insulation, and Design Software

Brian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about pool lights, guardrail-post connections, and adding exterior insulation before answering questions about whole-house batteries and design software.
8/27/20211 hour, 3 minutes, 53 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 5, Anna Heath, Lead Carpenter

Anna describes how a shared passion for building homes to Passive House standards and the meticulous nature of the process helped her and other members of her crew learn to be the excellent builders they are today.
8/26/202132 minutes, 38 seconds
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#383: PRO TALK With Home Inspector Paul Barraza

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to home inspector Paul Barraza about what makes a good home inspector, the difference between home inspectors and code officials, and how home inspections can be a good second career for former tradespeople.
8/24/202138 minutes, 5 seconds
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Sponsored FHB Podcast: Window Experts Jenn Tuetken and Nicole Willits of Pella

In this sponsored episode of the FHB podcast, Patrick talks to Jenn Tuetken, Senior Manager of Innovation and Design, and Nicole Willits, Product Marketing Specialist, at Pella about industrial design, window trends and innovations, and finding inspiration.
8/24/202136 minutes, 10 seconds
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#382: Exterior Foam, Metal Connectors, and Painting Cabinets

Matt, Kiley, Brian, Rob, Jeff, and Patrick hear from listeners about exterior foam and septic systems before taking questions on including exterior insulation in a new build, avoiding metal connectors, and refinishing cabinets.
8/20/20211 hour, 7 minutes, 24 seconds
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#381: PRO TALK With Engineer Cameron Prince

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to engineer Cameron Prince about the future of HVAC, seeing things from an engineer’s perspective, and how to make your heating and cooling equipment last a long time.
8/17/202140 minutes, 50 seconds
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#380: 40th FHB-Anniversary-Edition Interview With Gary Katz

In this week's special anniversary episode, regular listener and professional builder Mason Lord interviews longtime FHB contributor and Taunton Press book author Gary Katz.
8/13/20211 hour, 14 seconds
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#379: PRO TALK With Australian Builder Jason Economos

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Australian builder Jason Economos about the differences between Australian and North American building, universal challenges to building homes, and what’s up with spec builds.
8/10/202148 minutes, 5 seconds
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#378: Preventing Window Condensation, Conditioned Crawlspaces, and $150K Home Improvement

Kiley, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about heat-pump water heaters and expensive homes before taking questions on preventing wet windows, sealing a crawlspace, and improving the livability and efficiency of an existing house.
8/6/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 43 seconds
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#377: PRO TALK With Mechanical Engineer Mark Jussaume

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick and Mark talk about growing up working on houses, what residential construction can learn from bigger projects, and how to make home HVAC better. 
8/3/202136 minutes, 57 seconds
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#376: Paint vs. Solid Stain, Crawlspace Ventilation, and Sizing Support Columns

Rob, Colin, and Patrick hear from listeners about rainbow pigments and bargain power tools before taking listener questions about exterior paint jobs, crawlspace ventilation fans, and calculating the length of basement lally columns.
7/30/202157 minutes
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#375: PRO TALK With Smart-Technology Experts Aaron Stallings and Mike Oh

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to smart-home system designers Aaron Stallings and Michael Oh about how to integrate smart-home technology in both new builds and retrofits, choosing the right gear, and what home technology can do for you.
7/27/20211 hour, 2 minutes, 9 seconds
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#374: Adding Overhangs, Repairing a Water Table, and Builderly Greetings from Down Under

Brian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about rainbow shingles and log homes before taking listener questions about adding overhangs, repairing wood trim, and roof insulation ratings. They also hear from home builders in Australia.
7/23/202153 minutes, 5 seconds
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#373: PRO TALK With Remodeler Mike Patterson

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to longtime Washington, DC-area remodeler Mike Patterson about how to find good projects and clients, trusting your intuition, and the basics of business.
7/20/202144 minutes, 49 seconds
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#372: Raising a Ceiling, Drilling in Concrete, and What Kind of Windows?

Brian, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about FHB Anniversary interviews and hated home features before taking listener questions about raising a ceiling, fastening to concrete, and air-sealing versus insulating.
7/16/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 53 seconds
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#371: PRO TALK With Garage Outfitter Aaron Cash

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Aaron Cash, president of Garage Living Franchise Systems about how a franchise business works, opportunities for making garages more livable, and how one goes from business school to running a garage construction company.
7/13/202138 minutes, 57 seconds
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#370: The Best of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Volume 1

Hear highlights from past episodes of the podcast in this compilation of some of our favorite discussions and listener questions.
7/9/202156 minutes, 54 seconds
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#369: PRO TALK With Sustainable Builder Jacob Racusin, Part 2

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Jacob Racusin about New Frameworks’s unusual business model, expanding the market for natural building, and how somebody just decides to start building with straw.
7/6/202136 minutes, 20 seconds
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#368: Insulating Garage Doors, Staining Cedar Shingles, and Crawlspace Ductwork

Kiley, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about tarps and building-science texts before taking listener questions on insulating garage doors, staining cedar shingles, and improving the performance of an uninsulated slab.
7/2/20211 hour, 3 minutes, 51 seconds
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#367: PRO TALK With Sustainable Builder Jacob Racusin, Part 1

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Jacob Racusin, Director of Building Science and Sustainability at New Frameworks in Burlington, Vt. about New Frameworks’s unusual business model, expanding the market for natural building, and how somebody just decides to start building with straw.
6/29/202130 minutes, 53 seconds
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#366: HVAC Balancing, Deck Ledgers, and De-Sagging a Floor

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about long lead times and proper tarping before answering questions on HVAC air distribution, installing and flashing deck ledgers with stucco siding, and fixing butchered floor framing.
6/25/20211 hour, 9 seconds
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#365: PRO TALK With Architect Peter Pfeiffer

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Austin, Texas, Architect Peter Pfeiffer about building in hot climates, how to spot problem clients, and doing research on your own house.
6/22/202149 minutes, 38 seconds
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#364: Exposed Headers, Mansard Roofs, and Outdoor Rooms

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about spiral duct and stucco walls before taking questions on exposed exterior headers, insulating Mansard roofs, installing hardwood flooring, and blending indoor and outdoor spaces.
6/18/20211 hour, 8 minutes, 57 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 4, John Abrams, Design/Build CEO

Host Rob Yagid suggests that John's worker-owned cooperative, which equally values people, the planet, and the bottom line, is a model for what architecture and construction firms could and should be.
6/16/202141 minutes, 38 seconds
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#363: PRO TALK With Rating Inspector Noah Lawrence

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to rating field inspector Noah Lawrence of Building Efficiency Resources (BER) about helping HERS raters, navigating a new utility grid, and what it’s like living in a tiny house.
6/15/202141 minutes, 21 seconds
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#362: Effective Tarping, Saggy Ceilings, and Cracks that Won’t Go Away

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about tilt/turn windows and living with imperfect work before taking listener questions about effective tarping, leveling a ceiling, and fixing cracks that keep coming back.
6/11/20211 hour, 35 seconds
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#361: PRO TALK With Designer Christi Weber

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Christi Weber, Director of Design and Lead Designer for TDS Custom Construction about the benefits of a design/build model, the problems with American housing, and the appeal of 60-in. ceiling fans.
6/8/202147 minutes, 48 seconds
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#360: Skate Ramps, Drilling Holes, and Fastening Drywall

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about insulating walls without sheathing and on-demand water heaters before taking listener questions about building a long-lasting skate ramp, heating a shop, and fastening drywall. 
6/4/20211 hour, 3 minutes, 54 seconds
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#359: PRO TALK With Engineer Paul Torcellini, Part 2

In this two-part Pro Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Paul Torcellini, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, about home efficiency, moving to a renewable-energy utility grid, and how Paul built a net-zero house for his family.
6/1/202132 minutes, 35 seconds
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#358: Workshop Ceiling Heights, Foamglas, and Low-Slope Metal Roofs

Rob, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about business books for contractors and pool kits before taking listener questions about shop-ceiling heights, Foamglas insulation, and home-energy efficiency.
5/28/20211 hour, 7 minutes, 25 seconds
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#357: PRO TALK With Engineer Paul Torcellini

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Paul Torcellini, an engineer at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, about home efficiency, moving to a renewable-energy utility grid, and how Paul built a net-zero house for his family.
5/25/202132 minutes, 39 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 3, Brad Stoppenhagen, Remodeler

After 20 years in a corporate job, this lifelong craftsperson took a leap of faith to start a business doing the work that he truly loves, and he’s never been happier.
5/24/202138 minutes, 19 seconds
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#356: Living with Your Own Work, Lowering a Basement Floor, and Hinge-Prepping Doors

Brian, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about good-looking gate hinges and real-world budgets before taking listener questions about living with your own work, lowering a basement floor, and the best way to fit and prep doors.
5/21/202157 minutes, 23 seconds
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#355: PRO TALK With Stereotomist Pat Moore

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to stereotomist Pat Moore about how he learned the ancient building technique of sterotomy from guild-trained French timber framers.
5/18/202132 minutes, 26 seconds
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#354: Nasty Crawlspaces, Concrete Houses, and Your First Employee

Patrick, Kiley, and Rob hear from listeners about DIY insulation vacs and AV gas for generators before taking questions on nasty crawlspaces, polished concrete floors, and hiring your first employee.
5/14/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 7 seconds
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#353: PRO TALK With Plumber Mike Lombardi, Part 2

In this second installment of a two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Mike and Patrick discuss the perks and headaches of owning a small business, the future of plumbing and heating, and dealing with problem customers.
5/11/202132 minutes, 12 seconds
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#352: Rotten Basement Walls, Conditioned Shops, and Air-Sealing a ’60s Ranch

Patrick, Rob, and Brian hear from listeners about cool roofs and acoustics before taking questions on wall assemblies for basements, conditioning a woodshop, and air-sealing with liquid WRB.
5/7/20211 hour, 10 minutes, 9 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 2, Josh Salinger, Construction Business Owner

Hear about the ups and downs on one builder's path to creating a sought-after company with a reputation for executing the highest quality work.
5/5/202145 minutes, 12 seconds
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#351: PRO TALK With Plumber Mike Lombardi

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to plumber Mike Lombardi about the perks and headaches of owning a small business, the future of plumbing and heating, and dealing with problem customers.
5/4/202127 minutes, 47 seconds
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#350: Anniversary Edition Interview With John Carroll

As part of FHB’s 40th Anniversary, regular listener Ian Schwandt interviews longtime FHB contributor John Carroll.
4/30/202144 minutes, 37 seconds
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Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep. 1, Travis Brungardt, Builder

Hear about the challenges and rewards of being a builder focused on sustainable, resilient construction in a region of the country not traditionally known for energy-efficient homes.
4/28/202145 minutes, 37 seconds
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#349: PRO TALK With Carpenter Kevin Ireton, Part 2

In this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to former FHB editor and carpenter Kevin Ireton about staying healthy, game-changing tools, and the direction of American housing.
4/27/202132 minutes, 46 seconds
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#348: Building Porches, Reworking Flush Doors, and Swapping a Basement Beam

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about sturdy fences and clean energy before talking questions about long-lasting porches, upgrading flush doors, and increasing the span of a basement beam.
4/23/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 37 seconds
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#347: PRO TALK With Carpenter Kevin Ireton, Part 1

In this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to former FHB editor and carpenter Kevin Ireton about staying healthy, game-changing tools, and the direction of American housing.
4/20/202131 minutes, 20 seconds
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346: Music Studios, Reducing Building Costs, and Indoor-Air Purifiers

Matt, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about energy-integration experts and ICC lawsuits before taking questions on converting a hog barn into a music studio, reducing costs in a new build, and the effectiveness of indoor-air purifiers.
4/19/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 9 seconds
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#345: PRO TALK With Builder Dan Kolbert—Part 2

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Dan Kolbert of Portland, Maine about Pretty Good Houses, good clients, and the virtues of trade work.
4/13/202123 minutes, 46 seconds
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#344: Bad Contractors, Failed Foundation Walls, and Bonfig Roofs

Brian, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about power-grid efficiency and attic delta-Ts before taking questions about bad plumbers, bowed foundation walls, and boosting the energy performance of a brick cape.
4/9/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 7 seconds
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#343: PRO TALK With Builder Dan Kolbert—Part 1

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder and remodeler Dan Kolbert of Portland, Maine about Pretty Good Houses, good clients, and the virtues of trade work.
4/6/202127 minutes, 12 seconds
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#342: Thermally Broken Slabs, Wet Walls, and Reinforcing Block Foundations

Brian, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about job-site safety and fence posts before taking questions about thermally broken slabs, construction training for Spanish speakers, and strengthening foundations in seismic zones.
4/2/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 50 seconds
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#341: PRO TALK With Color Expert Sue Wadden

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Sue Wadden, director of color marketing at Sherwin-Williams about how paint colors get their names, how color trends emerge, and what comes after a decade of gray.
3/30/202134 minutes, 32 seconds
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#340: Fixing Wood Floors, Books for Builders, and Less-Ugly Split-Levels

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about cutting down doors and using hybrid trucks for power, before taking listener questions about matching new floors to existing stairs, heat-pump water heaters, and good books for builders.
3/26/20211 hour, 2 minutes, 30 seconds
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#339: PRO TALK With Sandra Hyde of the ICC

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to engineer Sandra Hyde from the International Code Council about International Building Codes, the code process, and why code language is so hard to understand.
3/23/202138 minutes, 22 seconds
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#338: Long-Lasting Fence Posts, Leaky Basements, and Seasonally Wet Walls

Brian, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about storm windows and putting dishwashers in weird places before taking questions about insulating walls without sheathing, the best way to build a fence, and how to make cancelled basement windows watertight.
3/19/20211 hour, 4 minutes, 49 seconds
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#337: PRO TALK With Builder Fernando Pagés Ruiz

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to builder Fernando Pagés Ruiz about what’s wrong with American housing, making the switch from musician to home builder, and what it’s like to build outside the U.S.
3/16/202145 minutes, 17 seconds
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#336: Celebrating Women in Construction Week

GBA senior editor Kiley Jacques talks with architect Emily Mottram and builder Dejah Leger about the advantages of being a woman in the industry.
3/12/202157 minutes, 54 seconds
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#335: PRO TALK With Carpenter Brian Campbell, Pt. 2

In this two-part, Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Twin-Cities carpenter Brian Campbell about being a more efficient carpenter, honing your skills, and finding interesting work.
3/9/202139 minutes, 53 seconds
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#334: Becoming a Builder, Leaky Apartments, and Complexities of a Custom Home

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about going all-electric and not messing up historic houses before taking listener questions about becoming a high-performance builder, fixing a leaky apartment, and planning a new home.
3/5/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 6 seconds
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#333: PRO TALK With Carpenter Brian Campbell, Pt. 1

In this two-part, Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Twin-Cities carpenter Brian Campbell about being a more efficient carpenter, honing your skills, and finding interesting work.
3/2/202135 minutes, 17 seconds
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#332: Mossy Roofs, Cold Walls, and Priming PVC Pipe

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about lead dangers and storm windows before taking questions about insulating a brick ranch with board sheathing, supporting a short section of countertop, and cleaning mossy roofs.
2/26/202159 minutes, 20 seconds
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#331: PRO TALK With Cabinetmaker Ben Scott

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Ben Scott of Maple Ridge, British Columbia about the craft and challenges of building cabinets and he shares tips for building Baltic birch boxes and installing slides and hinges.
2/23/202134 minutes, 58 seconds
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#330: Anniversary Edition Interview: Patrick McCombe

As part of FHB’s 40th Anniversary, listener Jonathan asks regular podcast host Patrick McCombe what it’s like behind the scenes at FHB, and what’s right and wrong with American home building and remodeling.
2/19/20211 hour, 2 minutes, 2 seconds
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#329: PRO TALK With Builder Jason Webster

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Jason Webster Co-President and Owner of Huntington Homes, in East Montpelier, Vermont about the family modular home business.
2/16/202134 minutes, 32 seconds
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#328: IBSx Show Highlights, Day 4

Bryan Uhler, Mike Guertin, Rob Wotzak, and Patrick McCombe talk about the first virtual Builders’ Show. Huber product application specialist Nick Robertson and Huber senior product application engineer Mike Dye talk about Huber’s new products, answering customer questions, and their IBSx experience.
2/12/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 27 seconds
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#327: IBSx Show Highlights, Day 3

Bryan Uhler, Mike Guertin, Matt Millham, and Patrick McCombe talk about what is going on at the first virtual Builders’ Show.
2/11/20211 hour, 5 minutes, 25 seconds
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#326: IBSx Show Highlights, Day 2

Bryan Uhler, Mike Guertin, Brian Pontolilo, and Patrick McCombe share some cool new products found at IBSx and talk about what there is to do at the first virtual Builders’ Show.
2/10/202155 minutes, 11 seconds
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#325: IBSx Show Highlights, Day 1

Day one coverage of the first virtual 2021 International Builders’ Show 
2/9/202158 minutes, 37 seconds
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#324: IBSx Preview

This episode kicks off podcast coverage of IBSx 2021. The FHB Crew talk to Huber Engineered Woods and what they have in store for the show. Mike Guertin and Bryan Uhler share what they hope to get from IBSx and what is different about a virtual versus in-person event.
2/9/202154 minutes, 53 seconds
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#323: Addition Airtightness, Beam Rescue, and Air-Sealing Around a Chimney

Matt, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about hiding foam insulation and homemade light fixtures before taking listener questions on the appropriate airtightness for an addition, fixing a badly hacked beam, and the right way to air-seal around a chimney.
2/5/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 56 seconds
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#322: PRO TALK With Michael Ingui

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to architect Michael Ingui of Brooklyn, New York, about the challenges of building in New York, how to improve builder/contractor relationships, and making Passive House mainstream.
2/2/202141 minutes, 54 seconds
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#321: Running Pipes in a Block House, Local Lumber, and Air-Sealing a Garrison Colonial

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about lead poisoning and favorite tools before taking questions on making room in block walls for pipes, ducts, and wires; local logging; and how to air-seal overhanging floors.
1/29/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 29 seconds
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#320: PRO TALK With Adam Feldman, Pt. 2

In the second half of this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Adam Feldman about Habitat for Humanity’s mission.
1/26/202131 minutes, 52 seconds
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#319: Building in a Flood Zone, Who Pays for Warranty Work, and Converting Attics to Living Space

Brian, Rob, and Patrick hear form listeners about protecting foundation insulation and building Baltic-birch cabinets before taking listener questions on foundation designs for flood zones, who pays labor costs for warranty work, and attracting clients with COVID-safe work practices.
1/22/20211 hour, 9 minutes, 9 seconds
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#318: PRO TALK With Adam Feldman, Pt. 1

In the first half of this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Adam Feldman of Habitat for Humanity about making the switch from Wall Street banker to non-profit builder.
1/19/202127 minutes, 53 seconds
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#317: Natural Air Changes, Flashing Windows in Brick Walls, and Cleaning Construction Messes

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about going all-electric and air-sealing adventures before taking listener questions about natural air changes, flashing windows in brick openings, and how clean a job site should be.
1/15/20211 hour, 11 minutes, 1 second
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#316: PRO TALK With Dennis Bessette

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Vermont cabinetmaker Dennis Bessette about his decades spent working in the trades.
1/12/202133 minutes
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#315: Perfect Roofs, Heated Decks, and Multifamily High Performance

Patrick, Matt, and Brian hear from listeners about lead safety and the right indoor humidity before taking questions on the perfect roof assembly, outdoor snow melting, and rebuilding a wood deck.
1/8/20211 hour, 16 minutes, 11 seconds
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#314: PRO TALK With Tim Uhler

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Tim about good subcontractor relationships, the value of heavy equipment, and maintaining a healthy work/life balance.
1/5/202132 minutes, 18 seconds
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#313: Pony Studs, Cold Floors, and Hiding Foundation Insulation

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about gas mitersaws, vinyl-wrapped windows, and ladder safety, before taking listener questions about building-component etymology, urea-formaldehyde foam, and hiding foundation insulation.
1/1/20211 hour, 6 minutes, 50 seconds
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#312: Pro Talk With Emily Mottram, Pt. 2

In the second half of this two-part Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to architect Emily Mottram about architecture schooling, growing up on a dairy farm and the importance of putting together a good team for a high-performance build.
12/29/202031 minutes, 16 seconds
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#311: Fresh-Air Seeker, Grow-House Rehab, and Getting off Gas

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about building with foam blocks and solo siding before taking listener questions about airtightness goals, repairing a concrete slab, and switching from gas to electric heat.
12/25/20201 hour, 6 minutes, 6 seconds
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#310: Pro Talk With Emily Mottram

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to architect Emily Mottram about architecture schooling, growing up on a dairy farm, and the importance of putting together a good team for a high-performance build.
12/22/202031 minutes, 19 seconds
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#309: Flying Saucers, Rainscreen Walls, and Barndominiums

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about outdoor cats, sawhorses, and flying saucers before taking questions on wall assemblies for a barndominium, winter indoor humidity, and how to vent rainscreen walls.
12/18/20201 hour, 6 seconds
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#308: PRO TALK With Eric Blimkie

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to carpentry instructor Eric Blimkie about the challenges of woodworking instruction and the benefits it provides to students.
12/15/202038 minutes, 25 seconds
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#307: Shed Foundations, Wasted Foam, and Deep-Energy Retrofits

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about electric heat and building monitors before taking listener questions about Shaker sheds, foam sealant, and a deep-energy retrofit in Redwood City, Calif.
12/11/20201 hour, 7 minutes, 7 seconds
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#306: PRO TALK With Kit Camp

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to carpentry instructor and longtime FHB contributor Kit Camp about his decades-long path from English major to carpenter to teacher.
12/8/202042 minutes, 17 seconds
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#305: Asbestos Flooring, Panned Return Ducts, and Adding On to a Log Home

Brian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about urban lumber and small-engine oil before taking listener questions on asbestos-contaminated flooring, metal panning for ducts, and a two-story addition for a log home.
12/4/20201 hour, 6 minutes, 13 seconds
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#304: PRO TALK With Dan Hines

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Dan Hines, project manager for Habitat for Humanity of Washington, D.C., about their mission and making high-performance home building affordable.
12/1/202036 minutes, 37 seconds
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#303: Advanced Framing, Wood Floors in a Bathroom, Unsafe Pools

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about integrating podcasts and magazine content and electric radiant panels before taking listener questions about advanced framing, installing wood floors in a bathroom, and feeling good about fellow tradespeople.
11/27/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 38 seconds
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#302: PRO TALK With Corey Claunch

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Corey Claunch, Vice President of Sales and Operations at Rehme Steel Windows & Doors, about the evolution of steel windows, what homes are like in Texas, and the complications of running a factory during COVID-19.
11/24/202030 minutes, 32 seconds
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#301: Stick vs. Post Frame, Upside-Down Clapboards, and Caulking Cedar Shingles

Matt, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about air-sealing smoke and rehabbing window sashes, before taking questions on the right wall assembly for a woodshop, caulking around cedar shingles, and properly insulating a brick building.
11/20/202059 minutes, 15 seconds
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#300: PRO TALK With Rob Yagid

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Rob Yagid, former Fine Homebuilding editor and executive director of Keep Craft Alive, about the origins of the Keep Craft Alive program, where it’s going, and how you can help.
11/17/202038 minutes, 6 seconds
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#299: Attic Ductwork, Twice Double-Hipped Roofs, and Keeping Warm in Calgary

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about Jeff’s Blue Dog print and monitoring indoor-air quality before taking questions about where to put the ductwork, what is this roof, and making a comfortable space for gatherings during COVID-19.
11/13/20201 hour, 11 minutes, 44 seconds
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#298: PRO TALK With Ken Keifer

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Ken Keifer of Siga, a Swiss manufacturer of air-sealing, vapor control, and weather-barrier products.
11/10/202041 minutes, 50 seconds
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#297: Short Doors, Basement Insulation, and Wood Foundations

Matt, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about AeroBarrier and blower-door fails, before taking listener questions about basement doors, basement insulation, and finishing windows.
11/6/20201 hour, 8 seconds
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Fine Homebuilding Podcast: Special Edition with Zip System and The Fortified Homes program

In this special edition of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Patrick talks to Matt Minchew, General Manager for Zip System Roof Applications and Fred Malik, managing director of Fortified Building Products at the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
11/5/202047 minutes, 5 seconds
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#296: PRO TALK With Kyle Stumpenhorst

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Kyle Stumpenhorst, founder of Rural Renovators, a post-frame building company in Franklin Grove, Illinois.
11/3/202039 minutes, 27 seconds
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#295: Black Windows, Sagging Roofs, and Mold Control

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about mud homes and mixing valves, before taking questions about black windows, making structural repairs, and controlling mold in a new build.
10/30/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 58 seconds
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#294: PRO TALK With Tara Murray

In this Pro-Talk Podcast, Patrick talks to Tara Murray, director of marketing for Benjamin Obdyke, about the challenges facing the building-products industry and what manufacturers of building products can do to help trade professionals.
10/27/202042 minutes, 19 seconds
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#293: Staying Profitable, Extension Jambs, and Smoke that Don’t Stink

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about a garage-shop project completed in the nick of time and staying healthy when working construction before taking listener questions about burning through profit at the end of a job, using replacement windows in a new build, and stink-free smoke for tracking down air leaks.
10/23/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 58 seconds
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#292: PRO TALK With Dyami Plotke, Pt. 2

In this second installment of this two-part Pro-Talk Podcast, Patrick talks to Dyami Plotke, senior project manager for Roof Services, a commercial and residential roofing company on Long Island, New York.
10/20/202028 minutes, 8 seconds
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#291: Overdriven Nails, Indoor-Air Quality, and What is This Attic Insulation?

Kiley, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about homemade blower doors and a supposed urban exodus before taking listener questions about overdriven fasteners in Zip System sheathing, unknown attic insulation, and indoor-air quality.
10/16/20201 hour, 1 minute, 2 seconds
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#290: PRO TALK With Dyami Plotke, Pt. 1

In this two-part Pro-Talk Podcast, Patrick talks to Dyami Plotke, senior project manager for Roof Services, a commercial and residential roofing company on Long Island, New York.
10/13/202032 minutes, 50 seconds
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#289: Dorian’s Corian, Butchered Floor Joists, and Saggy Drywall

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about log homes and PT substitutes before taking questions on separating sinks from solid-surface countertops, fixing a joist under a tub, and what to do about saggy drywall.
10/9/20201 hour, 4 minutes
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#288: PRO TALK With Andrew Grace

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks with Andy Grace, a remodeler and roofer in Ligonier, Pa. about being a do-it-all remodeler, buying the right tools, and successfully managing clients.
10/6/202046 minutes, 59 seconds
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#287: Restoring Windows, Warped Stair Treads, and Not-So-Hot Water

Rob, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about Aeroseal, DIY blower doors, and Minnesota’s climate, before taking questions about restoring window sash, lukewarm water, and making a comfortable shop in a block-wall garage.
10/2/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 14 seconds
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#286: PRO TALK With Doug Horgan

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks with Doug Horgan, Vice President of Best Practices for BOWA, a design-build remodeling firm in the Washington, D.C. area.
9/29/202044 minutes, 55 seconds
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#285: Waterproofing Curbless Showers, Adding Storage to Trusses, and Electrical Permits for DIY Projects

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about sweating pipes and spray foam before taking questions about waterproofing a bathroom with a curbless shower, getting permits for DIY electrical work, and properly detailing decks.
9/25/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 19 seconds
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#284: PRO TALK With Ross MacPherson

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks with Ross MacPherson about transitioning from a job as a builder and HERS rater to manager of an air-sealing business.
9/22/202038 minutes, 1 second
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#283: Tread Returns, Weird Vinyl, and Log Homes

Kiley, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about well pumps, snowy soffits, and favorite carpentry apps, before taking questions about stair treads, vinyl siding, and log homes.
9/18/202056 minutes, 46 seconds
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#282: PRO TALK With Jim Collins

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Jim Collins, a landscape architect and project manager with the city of Hamilton, Ontario about the field of landscape architecture and what builders get wrong about landscaping.
9/15/202045 minutes, 14 seconds
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#281: Cooling Hot Roofs, Material Shortages, and Blower Doors

Colin, Matt and Patrick hear from listeners about the durability of building tapes and doing without PT lumber, before taking questions on venting roofs in hot places, finding contractors in Covid times, and absent airtightness tests.
9/11/20201 hour, 31 seconds
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#280: PRO TALK With Brooke Cambridge

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Brooke Cambridge, a painting contractor from Salem, Mass. Brooke talks about how she became a painter and the ups and downs of being a business owner.
9/8/202031 minutes
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#279: The Cost of Building Green, Hot Bedrooms, and Sinking Piers

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about sweating copper and FHB podcast T-shirts before taking listener questions about the cost of high-performance homes, ductwork in a vented crawlspace, and toppling piers in a tight crawlspace.
9/4/20201 hour, 2 minutes, 11 seconds
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#278: PRO TALK With Travis Brungardt

In this Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Travis Brungardt, a high-performance builder and remodeler in Prairie Village, Kansas.
9/1/202039 minutes, 27 seconds
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#277: Cursory Inspections, Hot Closets, Appraisals for Efficient Homes

Brian, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about hardcore DIY and CNC-cut plywood before taking listener questions about inadequate inspections, uncomfortable closets, and getting credit for an efficient home.
8/28/20201 hour, 2 minutes, 53 seconds
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#276: PRO TALK With Dr. Arthur Henderson

This Pro-Talk podcast features Emergency Room doctor Dr. Art Henderson talking to Patrick about his work, his passion for building, and the realities of COVID-19.
8/25/202031 minutes, 58 seconds
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#275: Making do without PT, Wasting Paint, and Staging High Work

Rob, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about faulty spray foam and favorite tools before taking questions on building a shed without PT, wasting paint using a sprayer, and staging high work.
8/21/20201 hour, 6 minutes, 21 seconds
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#274: PRO TALK with Rachel Arango

Patrick talks with Dr. Rachel Arango, Research Entomologist with the US Forest Service, about insect pests and the efficacy of various pressure treatment formulations in this edition of the Pro-Talk podcast.
8/18/202032 minutes, 28 seconds
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#273: Material Shortages, Paneled Ceilings, and To Vent or Not to Vent

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about Taunton’s Renovation and changing careers before taking listener questions on recent material shortages, water-damaged ceilings, and if creating a vented roof assembly was a waste of time.
8/14/20201 hour, 1 minute, 51 seconds
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#272: PRO TALK with Rick Watson

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks with Rick Watson Director of Product Information and Technical Services for Sherwin Williams.
8/11/202046 minutes, 24 seconds
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#271: Brian Pontolilo and Justin Fink Talk About Fine Homebuilding, Its Legacy, and Its Future

Justin spells out his plan for the future and Brian talks about the future of FHB. This special episode talks to former Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink and the new editor Brian Pontolilo.
8/7/20201 hour, 4 minutes, 40 seconds
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#270: PRO TALK with Ace McArleton, Pt. 2

In the second installment of this two-part Pro-Talk podcast, Patrick talks to Ace McArleton General Director and Managing Partner for New Frameworks, a high-performance home builder in Burlington, VT.  
8/4/202027 minutes, 12 seconds
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#269: Home Appraisals, Protecting Workers, and New Home Must-Haves

Matt, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about frozen hellscapes and pitch pockets before taking listener questions on real estate appraisals, treating tradespeople with respect, and energy improvements in a new build.
7/31/20201 hour, 6 minutes, 22 seconds
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#268: PRO TALK with Ace McArleton

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Ace McArleton General Director and Managing Partner for New Frameworks, a high-performance home builder in Burlington, VT.  
7/28/202036 minutes, 22 seconds
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#267: Duct Sealing, Patching Brick, and Transitioning from Landscaper to Builder

Matt, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about knowing the code and changing careers before taking questions on sealing ductwork, canceling a brick opening, and fixing wonky stairs.
7/24/20201 hour, 7 minutes, 25 seconds
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#266: PRO TALK with Rob Delaney

In the second part of this two-part Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Rob Delaney, an Assessor/Quality Control Inspector for MCS Community Services in Jacksonville, Illinois, a weatherization firm improving the efficiency of housing for low income people.
7/21/202027 minutes, 25 seconds
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#265: Garage Insulation, Wood Siding, and Changing Construction Careers

Kiley, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about sawhorses, spray foam, and winter in Minnesota, before taking questions about garage insulation, canceling window openings, and how to get your dream job in construction
7/17/20201 hour, 10 minutes, 15 seconds
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#264: PRO TALK with Rob Delaney

In this two-part Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks Rob Delaney, an Assessor/Quality Control Inspector for MCS Community Services in Jacksonville, Illinois, a weatherization firm improving the efficiency of housing for low income people.
7/14/202036 minutes, 24 seconds
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#263: Basic Tools, Wet Walls, and Is the Deck Stacked Against DIY?

Kiley, Brian, and Patrick hear from listeners about sawhorses and thermography before taking questions on a basic DIY tool kit, brick walls without overhangs, and testing waste lines.
7/10/20201 hour, 8 minutes, 56 seconds
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#262: PRO TALK with Dejah Leger

In this Fine Homebuilding PRO-TALK podcast Patrick talks to lead carpenter Dejah Leger about making the transition from graphic arts to carpentry, what it’s like to work construction in the rainy Pacific Northwest and how to increase diversity in the construction workforce.
7/7/202031 minutes, 59 seconds
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#261: Leaky AC-line Boot, Cold Kitchens, and Building Workshops

Rob, Matt and Patrick hear from listeners about sawhorses and thermal bypasses before taking questions about a leaky flat-roof penetration, air-sealing board sheathing, and building woodworking shops
7/3/20201 hour, 2 minutes, 31 seconds
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#260: PRO TALK with Dr. Erik Severson

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Dr. Erik Severson, Extension Associate in the Wastewater Management Training Program at North Carolina State University, about the science of on-site wastewater treatment and training its workforce.
6/30/202032 minutes, 20 seconds
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#259: Flexicron, Basement Living Space, and Fixing Faulty Tile

Rob, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about floor squeaks, building codes in New Zealand, and construction-themed songwriting, before taking listener questions on clad patio doors, fieldstone foundations, and crazed tile.
6/26/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 48 seconds
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#258: PRO TALK with Katie Hutchison

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to architect Katie Hutchison about the role of architects, small houses and her interests in photography, fine art and writing.
6/23/202032 minutes, 15 seconds
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#257: Attic Foam, Watertight Decks, and Failing Expansion Joints

Kiley, Matt, and Patrick hear from listeners about attic insulation removal and FHB podcast diversity before taking questions about spray foaming moldy sheathing, waterproofing a deck with living space below, and replacing wood expansion joints.
6/19/20201 hour, 4 minutes, 19 seconds
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#256: PRO TALK with Ethan Biederman

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Ethan Biederman of South County Post and Beam in West Kingston, Rhode Island about making post and beam structures in the 21st century.
6/16/202032 minutes, 7 seconds
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#255: Ridge Vents, Removing Blown Fiberglass, and Matching Textured Drywall

Kiley, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about saunas and septic systems before taking listener questions on high-flying ridge vents, vacuuming up old insulation, and matching textured drywall.
6/12/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
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#254: PRO TALK with Ian Schwandt

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Ian Schwandt about changes in the residential construction business and Ian’s plan to build a high-performance home for his family.
6/9/202034 minutes, 22 seconds
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#253: Drilling Concrete, Installing Crown Molding, and Fixing Low-Slope Roofs

Colin, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about modest house plans and looking for leaks before taking listener questions on drilling concrete, fitting trim to stone, and fixing a flat roof.
6/5/202059 minutes, 3 seconds
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#252: PRO TALK with Andy Engel

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Andy Engel, carpenter and former Fine Homebuilding editor, about changes in the residential construction business and the challenges of being an ethical builder.
6/2/202034 minutes, 25 seconds
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#251: Adding Overhangs, Abandoning a Reside, and Stopping Sound

Kiley, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about building science training and saunas before taking questions about adding overhangs, stripping siding, sealing a crawlspace, and stopping sound between floors.
5/29/202056 minutes, 47 seconds
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#250: PRO Talk with Mike Evans

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Grubhub founder Mike Evans. His current project is Fixer.com a handyman service in the Chicago area.
5/26/202032 minutes, 9 seconds
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#249: Attic Vents, Rotten Doors, and Flattening a Lumpy Floor

Andy writes in with his simple plan for Patrick’s CD conundrum. Doug describes what’s really under a sprung floor. Josh asks if his Tampa, Florida house should have roof vents. Chris wonders if he should install a storm door. Ryan asks what kind of house he should build after living in a tiny house. Charles wonders what to do about his lumpy hall floor.
5/22/202059 minutes, 21 seconds
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#248: PRO TALK with Ben Bogie

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to Ben Bogie production manager for Kolbert Building. Ben talks about his career as a builder and remodeler, and the future of the residential construction business.
5/19/202029 minutes, 55 seconds
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#247: Insulating Rim Joists, Installing Batt Insulation, and Getting Schooled in Building Science

Rob, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about poison ivy and minisplits before taking questions on spray foaming rim joists, insulating from the outside with batts, and air sealing a house with second-story cantilevers.
5/15/202058 minutes, 49 seconds
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#246: PRO TALK with Peter Kulczyk

In this Pro-Talk podcast Patrick talks to building code expert Peter Kulczyk about his three decades in the building industry. He has written six books on building codes and energy codes and he has taught classes for inspectors in ten states.
5/12/202030 minutes, 30 seconds
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#245: Moving AC Equipment, Concrete Patios, and Becoming a Home Builder

Matt, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about pink bathrooms and pillows before taking questions on moving an AC condenser, DIYing a concrete patio, and staying comfortable with a single-zone HVAC system.
5/8/202059 minutes, 29 seconds
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#244: PRO TALK with Peter Yost

Peter Yost and Patrick discuss the residential construction industry and how buildings have changed through the decades and what this means for our understanding of building science.
5/5/202035 minutes, 55 seconds
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#243: Minisplit Efficiency, Taking Down Chimneys, and Choosing Pex

Matt, Rob, and Patrick hear from listeners about fraudulent contractors and making a gazebo from a lightning-damaged tree, before taking questions about minisplits, pex plumbing, and weather-beaten house wrap.
5/1/202054 minutes, 34 seconds
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#242: PRO TALK with Steve Baczek - Part 2

In this second installment of this two-part Pro Talk segment Patrick talks to Steve Baczek about the cost of housing, the role of the architect, and when things go wrong.
4/28/202039 minutes, 15 seconds
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#241: Modern Floor Plans, Rotten Deck Boards and Crumbling Chimneys

Matt, Kiley and Patrick take listener questions about the evolution of American housing, reusing rotten deck boards, and how to fix faulty framing in Bozeman.
4/24/20201 hour, 4 minutes, 47 seconds
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#240: PRO TALK with Steve Baczek - Part 1

In this two-part series Patrick talks to Steve Baczek about his architectural practice and the business of designing high-performance houses.
4/21/202027 minutes, 37 seconds
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#239: Old Windows, Bouncy Floors, and Moldy Lumber

Kiley, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about gravel paths and metal railings, before taking questions on restoring historic windows, undersized floor joists, and moldy framing lumber.
4/17/20201 hour, 2 minutes, 7 seconds
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#238: PRO TALK with Bryan Uhler

In this second Pro Talk installment, Patrick talks to Bryan Uhler of Pioneer Builders about his businesses’ origins, the importance of good book-keeping and how to make the business of building stress-free.
4/14/202039 minutes, 8 seconds
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#237: Holes in Block Walls, Uninsulated Shops, and Keeping Cool Upstairs

Justin, Colin and Patrick hear from listeners about butchered floor joists and housing affordability before taking questions on making holes in block walls, improving a garage shop, and temperature differences in two-story houses.
4/10/202058 minutes, 55 seconds
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#236: PRO TALK with Mike Guertin and Addison Oliveira

The Fine Homebuilding podcast is now recording a second weekly show focusing on the issues facing contractors and professional tradespeople. In this first installment, Patrick talks to Mike Guertin about the industry’s ups and downs, how to diversify your income, and the realities of owning rental properties. Mike’s carpenter, Addison Oliveira weighs in on the same issues and offers advice for those seeking work in residential construction.
4/8/202029 minutes, 39 seconds
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#235: Residential Architecture, Rusty Cars, and Ruined Floor Joists

Kiley, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about felt paper under flooring and cordless tools before taking questions on weird framing, wet garages, and residential architecture for the rest of us.
4/3/202057 minutes, 4 seconds
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#234: Business Advice for a Changed World, Cable Rail, and Energy-Efficient Mobile Homes

Shawn Van Dyke offers business advice for contractors trying to stay afloat during the virus outbreak. The hosts hear from listeners about wifi thermostats and Sense monitoring and then take questions about the safety of cable railings, finding an efficient mobile home, and what to do about a soggy landscape.
3/27/20201 hour, 10 minutes, 54 seconds
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#233: Hardwood Flooring, Windows in Rain Screen Walls, and Duct-Free Ventilation Systems

The crew hears from listeners about housing costs and box stores before taking questions on the right way to flash windows in a rain-screen wall, preventing hardwood floor squeaks, and supplying fresh air for HRV’s and ERV’s.
3/20/202057 minutes, 54 seconds
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#232: Ugly Elevations, Roofing Under Solar Panels, and Dumb Wi-Fi Thermostats

The regular crew hears form listeners about handyman work, Festool Domino substitutes, and Permanent Wood Foundations before taking questions about attractive elevations, solar panels, and an easy-to-use remote thermostat.
3/13/202056 minutes, 2 seconds
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#231: Heat Pumps, Old-School Air Barriers, and Rehabbing Cordless Tools

The regular crew hears from listeners about apprentices, subslab ductwork, and the risks of bungee cords before taking questions on cold climate heat pumps, tying old plaster to new framing, and what to do when cordless power tools lose their punch.
3/6/202057 minutes, 42 seconds
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#230: Wood Foundations, Thermostat Set-Back, and Housing Affordability

Listeners give feedback on the ethics of vacation homes, making good welds, and stacked washers and dryers before taking questions on good home building content, the right foundation for a room addition, and setting back thermostats to save money.
2/28/202059 minutes, 21 seconds
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#229: Garage Slabs, Carpentry Apprentices, and Water-Stained Hardwood Floors

One of our favorite podcast-crew alumni joins us to discuss the best way to build a garage floor, whether a builder should hire a laborer or an apprentice, and how to make a worn out wood floor look beautiful again.
2/21/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 36 seconds
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#228: Subslab Ductwork, Safer Demo, and Insulating Walls Without Sheathing

Kiley, Matt and Patrick hear from listeners about wood-fiber sheathing, humidifiers and heat-pump water heaters before taking questions about how to demo a rickety carport, what to do about subslab ductwork, and how to insulate old walls without sheathing.
2/14/202058 minutes, 45 seconds
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#227: Cracked Beams, Missing Inspections, and Garage Insulation

Justin, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners about membrane roofing, handyman businesses, and lighting controls before taking listener questions about cracked structural members, a missing electrical inspection, and what to do about hard water.
2/7/20201 hour, 3 minutes, 32 seconds
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#226: Framing Details, Fasteners Sizes, and Fire Safety

Patrick, Kiley, and Matt answer questions about how to frame a roof with I-joists, a confusing code requirement for framing nails, and how different types of floor joist hold up in a fire.
1/31/20201 hour, 7 seconds
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#225: Live from the Builders' Show: Pioneer Builders

Tim and Bryan talk about the builders that they learned from and how they continually strive to improve the systems in their family home building business while maintaining civility with each other, their employees, and their subcontractors.
1/24/202050 minutes, 52 seconds
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#224: Botched Drywall, Bow-Roof Cabins and a Baseboard Radiator Hater

The crew hears from listeners about tile showers, heat-pump water heaters, and Finex panels before taking questions on fixing bad drywall, making a bow-roof watertight, and revamping hydronic heat.
1/24/202058 minutes
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#223: Live from the Builders' Show: International Brand Ambassador

Carpenter Elly Hart talks about transitioning to a career in the trades. She made the switch from being a tech writer to a Red Seal certified carpenter.
1/24/202039 minutes, 26 seconds
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#222: Live from the Builder's Show: A Conversation About Low-Maintenance Siding, Trim, and Roofing Materials

Justin Fink and Ben Bogie chat with experts from Boral about a wide range of manufactured exterior materials—particularly Boral’s poly-ash TrueExterior line.
1/23/202018 minutes, 11 seconds
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#221: Live from the Builder's Show: Straight Talk about the Construction Business

Patrick and Justin talk with Home Advisor's economist Mischa Fisher about the skilled trade gap and what we can do about it. They also discussed concrete things you can do to improve your construction business.
1/23/202030 minutes, 27 seconds
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#220: Live from the Builders’ Show: Matt and Kiley Chat with the Inventor of Warmboard and Trade-School Students

Warmboard inventor and CEO Terry Alsberg sits down to talk about his product’s origin story and comfortable heating, and two students from SUNY Delhi talk about what they’re doing in trade school and about their participation in NAHB’s Residential Construction Management Competition.
1/23/202040 minutes, 36 seconds
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#219: Live from the Builders’ Show: Mike Guertin and Addison Oliveira

FHB's longtime editorial advisor and his employee talk about the show and some of the cool stuff they've found here.
1/22/202036 minutes, 50 seconds
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#218: Live from the Builders’ Show: A Conversation with Architect Steve Baczek

Steve joins Patrick and Rob at the Fine Homebuilding booth to talk about building materials, building science, and sharing knowledge within the building community.
1/21/202031 minutes, 54 seconds
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#217: Architecturally Correct Trim, Keeping a Cabin Warm, and Fixes for Butchered Floor Joists

The crew gets feedback on door bevels and heat pump water heaters before taking questions on matching moldings to a house style, converting a seasonal cabin to year round use, and what to do about Sawzall-wielding plumbers.
1/17/202057 minutes, 5 seconds
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#216: Can Lights, California Shops, and Inaccessible Foundations

The crew hears from listeners about heating humid air and can light replacement before taking listener questions on how to seal can lights, the best way to build a workshop, and what to do about small inaccessible foundations.
1/10/20201 hour, 6 minutes, 1 second
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#215: An Odd Assortment of Building-Envelope Scenarios

The FHB editors offer advice to listeners with uninsulated solid-masonry walls, unusual flashing-material substitutions, uncommon cladding comparisons, and confusing insulation mandates.
1/3/20201 hour, 39 seconds
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#214: Heat-Pump Water Heaters, PVC Trim Plus Cedar Siding, and Historic Architectural Details

The FHB crew takes questions on choosing water heaters, mixing and matching exterior building materials, getting historic renovations right, and more.
12/27/20191 hour, 2 minutes, 14 seconds
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#213: Fixing a Basement Slab, Making a Stucco Wall Watertight, and What to Do About Insulbrick

The crew hears from Ben Bogie about his experience using foam glass. Several listeners weigh in on the ethics and sensibility of a 9000-sq. ft. deep-energy retrofit. Jeff talks about who inspects structural steel in Seattle. Jeff wants to know what he should do about his cobbled-together basement slab. Michael asks how to fix a stucco-clad wall built partially below grade. Andy from Indy wants to know the best way to insulate a concrete floor that was once part of a porch. And anonymous wants to know what to do about the Insulbrick on an old home he’s rehabbing.
12/20/20191 hour, 9 minutes, 29 seconds
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#212: Walls with Reclaimed Foam, Fixing a Loud Furnace and Warped Doors

The crew hears from listeners about tooling urethane sealants, installing an HRV and the British series Grand Designs before taking questions about the best wall assembly for reclaimed foam, what to do about a deafening furnace, and the best way to insulate a garage under a garage.
12/13/201951 minutes, 47 seconds
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#211: Attic Insulation, EV Work Truck Conversions and a Wonky Can Light

Matt, Kiley and Patrick hear from listeners about thermal bridging, dryer ducts and determining the age of recent remodels before taking listener questions on improving attic insulation, hybrid work trucks and what’s up with this can light?
12/6/201953 minutes, 12 seconds
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#210: Sealing Can Lights, Protecting Foundation Foam, and Fixing Bouncy Floors

The crew tackles questions about rigid insulation for foundations and strengthening an over-spanned kitchen floor, plus Patrick shares his idea of the perfect deck, which is also a boat.
11/29/201959 minutes, 28 seconds
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#209: Exterior Caulk, Tub Drains, and Adding Insulation to Leaky Walls

The crew hears from Rob about a very cool training lab for weatherization work. Cooper shows off his newly-completed garage air sealing and insulating project. Jeff describes how industrial gas bottles are safety tested and he talks about some very interesting bottles dating from the earliest days of rocketry. Cole gives his secrets for installing dog doors meant for entry doors. Daniel wants to know who makes the best outdoor caulk. Kevin wants to know the best plan for an efficient house in South Carolina. Brandon asks how to take apart his tub drain so he can replace the tub. Finally Byron wants to know how to safely insulate his walls which have fiberboard sheathing on the outside and a foil vapor barrier (FSK) on the inside.
11/22/20191 hour, 48 seconds
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#208: Problem-Solving Tools, Cooling a California Workshop and Soggy Straw Bales

Matt, Rob and Patrick here from listeners about bartering for home projects and using salvaged bowling alleys for tap dancing. The crew then reveals the list of favorite problem-solving tools compiled from Fine Homebuilding’s Facebook page. Robert asks how to keep his wood shop from baking in the warm California sun. Spence wants to know if he should replace his water heater when he replaces his furnace. Dave wonders about the reparability of modern housing while he rebuilds a badly detailed straw bale house in Vermont. Finally, Matthew asks about mixing WRB’s on a remodel that includes a new addition.
11/15/20191 hour, 44 seconds
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#207: Home Maintenance, HVAC Zones and Dangerous Dryer Vents

Matt, Rob and Patrick get an awesome new Fine Homebuilding Podcast logo from Matt. Adam writes in to describe his attempt at starting a handyman business in the suburbs of Washington DC. Nicolas asks if there are any good reference books that describe how to take care of seasonal and second homes. Larry asks how to make his home woodshop more comfortable and Chris wants to know if his sister’s house should have its dryer vent outlet in the garage.
11/8/201958 minutes, 24 seconds
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#206: Doggy Doors, Advancing a Carpentry Career, and What’s Behind the Stucco?

The FHB editors talk about planning a foundation for a remote job site, getting the most from an entry-level carpentry job and should you tear apart a stucco-clad house to search for water damage
11/1/20191 hour, 3 minutes, 39 seconds
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#205: Home Shops, Band Joists, and Working with Code Enforcement

The FHB editors field questions about the perils of an unheated shop, concerns about insulating a band joist behind brick veneer, and how to build a "fine" house on a tight budget.
10/25/20191 hour, 3 minutes, 54 seconds
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#204: Patio Doors, Plant Spaces and a Too-Tight Window

The regular crew hears from listeners about galvanic corrosion, eating honey that’s 160 years old, and what the VHB in VHB tape really stands for. Then they take listener questions about replacing a monster sliding patio door, getting a too tight window to fit and removing a two-story masonry chimney from a foursquare.
10/18/201955 minutes, 23 seconds
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#203: LIVE From the 2019 FHB Summit in Southbridge, Mass., Day 2

Patrick welcomes guests Brian Pontolilo, Maria Klemperer-Johnson, Jake Bruton, and Steve Baczek to this special episode of the FHB Podcast.
10/16/20191 hour, 2 minutes, 38 seconds
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#202: LIVE From the 2019 FHB Summit in Southbridge, Mass., Day 1

Patrick, Rob, and Justin invite special guests Kevin Ireton, Scott McBride, and Micheal Maines on to talk about the past, present, and future of Fine Homebuilding and the residential construction industry.
10/16/201941 minutes, 5 seconds
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#201: Broken Bricks, Unloved Concrete and Portable Tablesaws

Matt, Kiley  and Patrick hear from listeners about small jobs and glass bottle masonry before taking questions about how to best use an unloved slab in the backyard, how to keep the snow removal team from destroying a brick wall with salt, and the proper way to detail a deck over a porch.
10/11/201952 minutes, 38 seconds
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#200: Home Shops, Working Lead-safe, and Keeping Cool in Carolina

The Fine Homebuilding editors hear from listeners on gutter guards and can lights before taking questions on the best way to build a home shop, how to protect yourself from lead and other remodeling hazards, and living in North Carolina without air conditioning.
10/4/20191 hour, 3 minutes, 30 seconds
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#199: Roof-insulation Retrofit, Codes for Existing Buildings, and Air-sealing Tape Choices

Patrick, Kiley, and Matt start the show with more feedback about cool stuff people find in old walls before getting schooled by an infrared-camera expert on the phenomenon of emissivity and how it skewed their beer-koozie experiment. Then it's on to questions about building gable-end roof extensions for an insulation retrofit, why there's a separate code for old buildings (and whether or not anyone even uses it), how to make an attached garage part of a home's conditioned space, and options for attractive gutters when there's a tight budget.
9/27/201957 minutes, 54 seconds
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#198: Is It OK to Insulate Around an Electrical Service Panel?

Justin, Matt, and Rob kick off the show by reminding everyone that there are only a couple weeks until the Fine Homebuilding Summit and there are still a few tickets available for this educational event focused on the fundamentals of high-performance, high-quality home building. After reading some listener feedback, the crew discusses possible solutions for five separate questions from the Fine Homebuilding Forum and the FHB Podcast inbox, including how to replace floor joists, how to cut a hollow-core door, how to finish a wooden basement door, how to insulate around an electrical panel, and whether or not primer filler is a substitute for filling and sanding old siding.
9/20/201952 minutes, 16 seconds
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#197: Accurate Estimating, Preventing Clogged Gutters, and Making Solar Panels Look Good

The crew hears from listeners about New Zealand-grown wool insulation and about repairing homes after serious storms. Tim from Maine writes in to ask about the science and art of contractor estimating and how to make a living doing small jobs nobody else wants to do. Joshua from Cincinnati writes in asking for advice on how to keep gutters free of leaves and other debris. Kathryn from Seattle asks about solar panels, specifically how to improve their aesthetics. AJ from Washington wants to know how to repair the cantilevered decks common to his area that are an extension of the home’s floor joists and lack proper flashing.
9/13/20191 hour, 7 minutes, 32 seconds
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#196: A Conversation with Architect Steve Baczek, Passive House Designer, Former Carpenter and Marine Corps Veteran

In this episode of the podcast Patrick and Kiley pick Steve’s brain on how architects and builders can have a better partnership and what the real role of an architect should be. He also gives us a taste of his upcoming presentation at the Fine Homebuilding Summit. Patrick and Kiley talk about fitting drawers and building cabinet doors.
9/6/20191 hour, 8 seconds
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#195: Replacing Porch Flooring, Creating Comfortable Spaces, and the Right Trim for an Alaskan Ranch

In this episode of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast, Justin, Kiley, and Patrick hear from listeners about Zip-R sheathing, blower doors, and reinforcing buildings with spray foam before taking listener questions on using plywood as porch flooring, creating comfortable spaces with good flow, and how to pull of good-looking trim details that can be made in a home shop.
8/30/20191 hour, 7 minutes, 16 seconds
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#194: Bulkhead Doors, Building Long-Lasting Outdoor Stairs and the Science of Beer Coozys

The regular crew hears from listeners on T-studs and contractor education before taking listener questions on bulkhead doors, building long-lasting outdoor stairs, and how to waterproofing a screen porch floor.
8/23/201954 minutes, 17 seconds
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#193: Understanding WRB Permeability, Insulating a House with Fiberboard Sheathing, and Building Your Own Patio Door

Rob, Matt and Patrick hear from listeners about rain barrel spigots and masonry walls resisting soil pressure before taking listener questions on WRBs, insulating walls sheathed with fiberboard, and making French-style patio doors from scratch.  
8/16/20191 hour, 4 minutes, 58 seconds
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#192: Garage to Woodshop Conversion, Contractor Web Marketing, and Saying No to Clients

Matt, Rob and Patrick hear from listeners on bogus blower door results, pellet stoves, and steel siding before taking questions on the best way to convert an unheated garage into a woodshop, using the web to start a K&B remodeling business, and how to deal with clients who want free additional work.
8/9/20191 hour, 10 minutes, 14 seconds
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#191: Matching Builders’ Hardware, Outsulation Under a Metal Roof, and Insulating a Band Joist in Termite Country

The regular crew hears from listeners about radon test kits and whole-house ventilation before taking questions on mixing and matching builder hardware finishes, fastening foam and metal roofing to a revamped farmhouse, and proper detailing a SIP roof.
8/2/201956 minutes, 20 seconds
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#190: Becoming a Remodeling Contractor, Patching Holes Left by a Rotted Railing, and Strengthening an Existing Building with Spray Foam

Matt, Patrick, and special guest former FHB editor Andy Engel take listener questions on how to become a good remodeling contractor, the strength of spray foam, and adding to an existing deck.
7/26/201955 minutes, 12 seconds
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#189: Heating with Pellets, Stabilizing a Collapsing Cottage, and Keeping an Accessory Dwelling Unit Close to the Ground

This week the regular podcast crew hears from listeners about insulating brick row houses and the limitations of the Bonfiglioli wall system. Then they take questions about heating a whole house with a pellet stove, the limited options for affordable shower valves, and how to strengthen the foundation of a rustic cabin. The crew also discusses how to keep the height of an auxiliary dwelling unit to a minimum.
7/19/20191 hour, 3 minutes, 23 seconds
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#188: Smoothing a Textured Ceiling, Enforcing Airtightness Testing, and Better Brick Walkways

This week’s installment revisits Tony’s planned grade-level deck and we hear from a listener who’s married to a carpenter bee researcher. The crew explores the best way to remove ceiling stalactites and how to convince a carpenter to take on a small rot-repair job. Then they hear from a home-performance contractor irritated by the lack of airtightness testing in Northern New York and discuss how to keep a brick walkway looking good.
7/12/20191 hour, 4 minutes, 17 seconds
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#187: Missing Ductwork, Rooftop Decks, and Waterproof Mechanical Rooms

The gang hear from listeners about insulating brick buildings and how to be a good apprentice before tackling questions about about missing ductwork, construction details for a watertight deck, and a 15-point plan for improving a heating and AC system.
7/5/20191 hour, 5 minutes, 1 second
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#186: Reducing Radon, Roof Shingle Warranties, and What are T-Studs?

Listener feedback discusses adding Kiley to the regular lineup, another line of defense against biting insects, and more on the environmental impact of work trucks. Then Matt, Kiley, and Patrick take listener questions on lowering radon levels in a basement that already has a radon system, the validity of roof shingle warranties, the pros and cons of thermally-broken T-studs, and how to treat a crawlspace that shares a floor system with a conditioned basement.
6/28/201956 minutes
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#185: Hot Real Estate Market Buying Tips, Low-Cost New Homes, and Grade-Level Decks

Listener feedback discusses moss on roofs and keeping the fires burning in an old school house before Matt, Kiley, and Patrick talk about a listener's suggestions for making a deal in a red-hot real estate market like Washington D.C., what's the minimum square foot cost for building a new house, and how best to build a deck that's too low for its own good.
6/21/20191 hour, 2 minutes, 19 seconds
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#184: Insulating an All-brick House, Working with Engineered Siding, and Carpentry as a Second Career

Justin starts things off by discussing Fine Homebuilding's first-ever summit featuring a dozen construction industry heavy hitters before Patrick, Matt and Justin discuss the challenges with insulating masonry buildings, what it's like to work with SmartSide lap siding, and leaving tech to become a full time carpenter.
6/14/20191 hour, 4 minutes, 31 seconds
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Bonus #183a: The Return of the Original FHB Podcast Crew

One year after handing off the podcast to the new hosts, Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid sit down for a reunion to discuss Green Building Advisor, FHB’s new Summit seminar, the change in message of Keep Craft Alive. The gang also recaps past and current projects, plans for future projects, and takes a trip down podcast memory lane.
6/13/20191 hour, 18 minutes, 14 seconds
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#183: Work Trucks, Workshops, and Painting Brick

Patrick, Matt and Kiley talk about keeping kitchen remodels affordable before moving onto listener questions about strengthening a roof in one of the country's snowiest places, converting a barn to a workshop, and insulating a home without a WRB.
6/7/20191 hour, 5 minutes, 24 seconds
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#182: Greedy Dormers, Cathedral-Ceiling Insulation, and Gutters for EPDM Roofs

This week on the Fine Homebuilding Podcast the gang talks about adding a 2nd floor on a brick bungalow, pros and cons of adding spray-foam to an existing vaulted ceiling, details for a flat porch roof, and more. Patrick shares some feedback from a timber framer in Maine about what it takes to build a true timber-frame house, before he, Matt, and Kiley address a bunch of remodeling questions. Among the issues covered are: how to attach a wood-framed second-floor addition to solid masonry walls; efficient solutions for ventilating two adjacent bathrooms; whether or not to worry about roof leaks when installing spray foam; the pros and cons of pin footings; and how to install leak-proof, attractive gutters around a low-pitch rubber roof.
5/31/201955 minutes, 5 seconds
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#181: Ethical Business Practices, Pass-Through Windows, And Cutting Asbestos Shingles

The Fine Homebuilding editors talk about doing right by your clients, opening up a kitchen to the outdoors, following EPA guidelines when removing asbestos siding, and more. Patrick, Matt, and Kiley start the episode with updates on several personal projects before attempting to help a few listeners with their own remodeling questions. Plus they dig into the topic of contractor ethics and the reputation the construction industry has for shifty business practices––an issue that conscientious builders have to overcome on a regular basis.
5/24/201956 minutes, 31 seconds
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#180: Rigid Foam Over Roofs, Warm-Climate Insulation Details, and Fuel-Efficient Work Trucks

The Fine Homebuilding editors discuss some upcoming articles about building sheds and installing custom metal stairs before addressing listener questions about insulation upgrades, environmentally responsible transportation, and more. Patrick, Matt, and Kiley start today's conversation with details about two recent photo shoots for the magazine–one in Cooperstown, NY, where Matt captured a steel-framed, walnut-treaded modern staircase installation; and another in Kiley's own backyard, where fellow FHB staffer Rob Wotzak built a small but elegant woodshed of his own design. Then it was on to several questions from the Fine Homebuilding inbox, including one from a listener who wonders how we can constantly talk about building energy efficient homes without mentioning the gas-guzzling trucks we travel to the job site in every day.
5/17/20191 hour, 2 minutes, 58 seconds
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#179: Redundant Housewrap, Hybrid Timberframes, and an End to Vented Crawlspaces

The Fine Homebuilding editors offer their opinions on adding two layers of Typar, suggest affordable alternatives to a building a full timber-frame house, and wonder why anyone thinks it's OK to build house on top of a mold farm. Patrick, Matt, and Rob start of the episode by digging into the details of their own projects, including a custom metal project, a modest garden shed, and cabinet choices for a closet. Then it's on to some constructive feedback about educational and business resources for tradespeople before tackling the typical assortment of construction questions.
5/10/20191 hour, 3 minutes, 5 seconds
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#178: Interview With Home-Building Guru Mike Guertin

Mike and his apprentice Addison Oliveira stop by the Fine Homebuilding studio for a chat with Patrick about getting started in the trades, advancements in construction over the past few decades, job-site safety, and more. We are very fortunate this week to have one of our favorite people, Mike Guertin, in town to join in on the podcast. Many of you may know that Mike is one of Fine Homebuilding’s most prolific contributors, and with good reason: he is extremely dedicated to advancing construction methods, and equally determined to share his knowledge and experience with as many people as possible. Among other things, you will hear about how he got his start in home building; what it was like writing articles in the early days of Fine Homebuilding Magazine; and, in an interesting aside, his experience with transplanting rhubarb.
5/3/201954 minutes, 18 seconds
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#177: Three Design Solutions for Remodeling a Cramped Bathroom

Fine Homebuilding design editor Kiley Jacques joins the podcast this week to talk about the bathroom-design challenge she tasked three architects with for an upcoming magazine article. Patrick, Matt, and Kiley talk about their own kitchen and bathroom remodeling plans before digging into listener questions about unvented bath fans, custom-milled interior trim, whole-house designs, and strange dormer layouts.
4/26/201942 minutes, 51 seconds
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#176: When Are Compromises on Quality Materials Worth the Savings?

The Fine Homebuilding editors swap stories about some of their own spring projects before–among other things–debating the pros and cons of affordable alternatives to fine-homebuilding products. In this week's podcast, one listener asks if he should break the budget if he really wants to do a top-notch remodeling job; plus, a non-builder listener confirms that builders and remodelers are clearly not the only professionals who give free estimates; and another listener send us photos of some brilliant job-site furniture that a bunch of contractors cobbled together.
4/19/20191 hour, 5 minutes, 10 seconds
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#175: Stair Stringers, Laser Levels, and Duct Design

The Fine Homebuilding editors offer advice about framing new stairs for a deck, choosing the right level for a whole-house construction project, and figuring out how to upgrade an old HVAC system for efficiency and comfort. Patrick kicks off this week's conversation with an update on his trial of Spray & Forget mold remover to clean up the grungy siding on his house, then Rob contemplates some interesting architectural follies he saw on a local country road. Matt gets us into a more technical topic–one contractor's peculiar way of insulating the underside of a house built on piers–before the crew jumps into answering a few listeners' emails.
4/12/201959 minutes, 49 seconds
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#174: How to Level a Sagging Floor

One podcast listener wonders if he should jack up his drooping joists or if he can just create a flat floor using tapered sleepers over the old subfloor. On this week's show, Patrick, Matt, and Rob talk about rigid fiberglass insulation, saving energy with low-flow shower heads, and siding details on houses with garrison-style overhangs, before answering listeners' questions about leveling floor framing, bringing the grade up for an accessible entrance, and what books to read to become a better builder.
4/5/20191 hour, 8 minutes, 7 seconds
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#173: Interview at JLC Live with George Caruso from Benjamin Obdyke

The Director of Innovation from this manufacturer of moisture-management products talks about how getting feedback from customers is an essential to making materials that meet today's home-building needs.
4/3/201926 minutes, 58 seconds
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#172: Interview at JLC Live with Ulrich Dahne and Holger Binder from Stabila

The Fine Homebuilding editors talk to the CEO and sales director of this world-renowned 130-year-old manufacturer of high-quality measuring equipment about why the simple spirit level is still popular in a world of lasers and digital displays.
4/3/201927 minutes, 56 seconds
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#171: Interview at JLC Live with Caleb Morris from Viewrail

The Fine Homebuilding editors chat with Caleb about how his family business made the transition from a traditional stair parts supplier to a leading manufacturer of custom metal floating stairs and modern railing systems.
4/3/201927 minutes, 5 seconds
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#170: Is There Really a Skilled-Trade Gap?

One listener wonders why he's not seeing much demand for experienced carpenters in his part of the country. Inspired by details unearthed during the renovation of a local 19th-century home, Patrick, Justin, and Rob dig into the history of high-quality house design and discuss Jonathan Hale's book, The Old Way of Seeing. Then it's on to listener emails, starting with feedback about the trade gap, where one builder asks why the work everyone is talking about is not materializing where he lives. Another listener tells the story of his company’s experience losing money by overdoing a big job estimate, and he suggests devising a clear job-estimating plan that strikes a balance between efficiency and due diligence. Of course there are also listener questions to answer, including how to tell stucco lathe from skip sheathing, whether or not to make an addition more airtight and watertight than the original house, and how to safely detail an at-grade entryway.
3/29/20191 hour, 7 minutes, 55 seconds
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#169: Efficient Fireplaces, Healthy Humidity Levels, and Soundproofing Solutions

The FHB crew recaps details of a job-site video shoot they just wrapped up, and then address some listener questions about a variety of construction and remodeling projects. Patrick, Matt, bring in video director Colin Russel to discuss the history, construction details, and benefits of the Rumford fireplace before answering questions about the pros and cons of interior footing drains, the best way to soundproof an in-law apartment, providing make-up air for fireplaces, and more.
3/22/201951 minutes, 6 seconds
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#168: Should You Share Your Trade Secrets with Other Craftspeople?

Today's building pros are more willing to swap stories about their crafts than their predecessors were. Is that good or bad for business? Justin Fink joins Patrick and Rob this week and starts off the show with discussions about learning from other tradespeople and about what it would take to get started in blacksmithing. Then the crew dives into several listener questions about insulating without removing siding; avoiding moisture build-up under mats in a basement rec room; keeping cold air out of a walk-up attic; and building a tornado-proof house with ICFs.
3/15/20191 hour, 9 minutes, 51 seconds
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#167: How Detailed Should a Remodeling Estimate Be?

The Fine Homebuilding editors discuss questions about running a remodeling business, maintaining access to buried plumbing, dealing with leaky soffits, and more. After celebrating Rob's viral success with an online video of his pedal-powered snow plow in action, Rob, Patrick, and Matt try to find answers to listeners' problems with leaky pipes, leaky walls, and leaky attic vents. Maybe we can nail down some solutions for the ever-present old-house moisture issues once and for all.
3/8/20191 hour, 4 minutes, 44 seconds
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#166: Venting a Barndominium, Sealing Exterior End Grain, and Flashing Details for a Metal Roof

This week the editors attempt to answer several unique questions including "What's the best sealer for end cuts on decking?" and "Is there a reliable way to flash a masonry chimney to a standing-seam roof?" Patrick and Matt kick off the podcast by grilling Rob about his messy metal shop–but they all agree that (most) craftspeople need to have a ready supply of scrap materials at hand to feed their creative projects. Then it’s on to an assortment of listeners’ emails, with questions about ventilation requirements for a metal-clad, slab-on-grade home; the ideal product for protecting end grain on cedar and hemlock that will be exposed to the elements; and options for keeping water out of the gap between a chimney and a metal roof.
3/1/20191 hour, 1 minute, 40 seconds
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#165: Live from the Builders' Show: Strong Sheathing Systems and Show Favorites

The Fine Homebuilding editors end the 2019 show with a discussion about sheathing systems and their favorite finds of this year's show.
2/22/201937 minutes, 56 seconds
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#164: Self-Installed Sump Pump, Upgraded Board and Batten, and Favorite House Styles

Justin Fink shows of his custom-built Dutch door before joining in discussions about French drains, siding details, and popular eras in American home building.    
2/22/20191 hour, 3 minutes, 55 seconds
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#163: Live from the Builders' Show: Home Depot’s Pro Services and Advancements in Cordless Tools

The editors chat with Debbie Hernandez of The Home Depot about it’s pro services and former Fine Homebuilding editor Chris Ermides about tools. Justin Fink and Rob Wotzak talk with Home Depot’s Debbie Hernandez about Professional and Contractor Services and with former Fine Homebuilding editor Chris Ermides about tool tests, keeping up with tool technology, and how job sites are increasingly going 100% cordless.
2/21/201936 minutes, 27 seconds
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#162: Live from the Builders’ Show: Windows, Roofing, and Building Your Business Culture

The Fine Homebuilding editors sit down with Caleb Klein of Pella Windows and Doors and Janice and Kelly Stitzer of CIG Construction in Colorado about new windows and window trends, and building a business and business culture in a time when fewer people are interested in joining the building trades. Patrick and Matt talk with a window and door manufacturer about window trends and a push toward putting higher-end features on mid-line windows, and chat with the owners of a Colorado roofing company about the dangers of being the lowest bidder, keeping good employees, and building a business culture that attracts and retains top talent.
2/21/201944 minutes, 5 seconds
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#161: Live from the Builders' Show: Misconceptions about radiant heat and new rules for hardwood floors

We sit down with Terry Alsberg founder of Warmboard Radiant and Mike Guertin Fine Homebuilding editorial advisor.    First on Patrick and Rob's docket is a comprehensive discussion about radiant heat in conventional and low-load houses. Then the guys talk about the right way to acclimate wood flooring. Here's a hint: you've been doing it the wrong way.
2/20/20191 hour, 41 seconds
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#160: Live from the Builders’ Show: Doors, Tool Belts, and American Manufacturing

The Fine Homebuilding editors chat with Jim Edgeworth of The Bilco Company and Connor Crook of Diamondback Toolbelts about what it takes to build high quality tools and materials in the US. Patrick and Rob talk with a couple of manufacturers attending the International Builders’ Show about how keeping in touch with folks in the trades plays a major role in producing gear and construction materials that perform well and are in demand. The guys also compare notes on the builder-show experience, and touch on the current state of skilled trades in our country.
2/20/201934 minutes, 58 seconds
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#159: Live from the Builders' Show: A Conversation with Architect Steve Baczek

Steve and Huber representative Tate Hudson talk about building science and producing quality homes.
2/19/201934 minutes, 2 seconds
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#158: How To Keep Shingles From Blowing Off of Your Roof

The Fine Homebuilding editors attack several building and remodeling dilemmas, including the correct way to install asphalt shingles at roof edges. This week's podcast starts with a deep dive into electrical consumption as Rob Wotzak describes how his Sense monitor is helping him find energy hogs in his home. Then it's on to mold removal, contractor relations, insulation choices, furnace makeup air, and best-practices for wind-proof roofing.
2/15/20191 hour, 1 minute, 44 seconds
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#157: Insulating Attics, Restoring Old Staircases, and Replacing Interior Doors

The Fine Homebuilding editors offer advice for several old-home upgrades, compare notes on their favorite home-building books, and invite listeners to stop by our mobile podcast studio at the International Builders' Show. Patrick, Matt, and Rob share some great listener feedback about questions from previous shows (keep that feedback coming, folks!) before they discussed attic and staircase remodels in Maine, a garage-workshop in New Jersey, and a possible door replacement project in who knows where. There are a few special details to report this week: IBS 2019 is just around the corner, and we're looking for folks to chat with on the podcast while we're at the show; there's also a sweepstakes going on where anyone can enter to win a $500 shopping spree in the Taunton Bookstore. 
2/8/20191 hour, 10 minutes, 14 seconds
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#156: Home Building Across the Globe, Air-sealing Can Lights, and Parging an Old Concrete Wall

This week's podcast starts off with Matt's insights into residential construction methods in the many places he's lived around the world while writing for the newspaper Stars and Stripes. Because the Fine Homebuilding editors have nothing to report on their personal home-remodeling projects, Patrick asks Matt to recount experiences he's had living in unique homes in Europe and the Middle East. Then it's on to the advice portion of the show, where the guys offer solutions for improving attic insulation, avoiding het loss through leaky recessed lighting, and repairing crumbling plaster or stucco on old masonry foundation walls.
2/1/201950 minutes, 40 seconds
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#155: Do you Really Need a Building Permit?

The Fine Homebuilding editors discuss the dangers of remodeling a house without informing the local building department. Patrick, Matt, and Rob share some great listener feedback about home-workshop air quality before tackling questions about legally renovating a home, the pros and cons of radiant floor heating, and solutions for air trapped in a hydronic heating system.
1/25/201957 minutes, 54 seconds
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#154: Lead-Paint Removal, Cracking Drywall, and Moldy Siding

Several frustrated homeowners ask the Fine Homebuilding editors to suggest the best course of action for some common DIY dilemmas. Rob, Matt, and Patrick–plus podcast producer Jeff–talk about their own experiences with homemade workbenches, plugged sewer pipes, and basement remodels before doing their best to solve a bunch of listeners' old-house problems.
1/18/20191 hour, 37 seconds
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#153: They Don't Build Things Like They Used To

One listener wonders which modern tools and materials are better and which ones are worse than the ones available to previous generations of home builders. This week, Patrick, Matt, and Rob field listener questions about tool-manufacturing quality, crown-molding best practices, building a foundation for a covered breezeway, and designing an accessible home, after rambling on about several of their own remodeling projects.
1/11/20191 hour, 2 minutes, 53 seconds
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#152: Inferior Fasteners, Warm Garages, and Cheap Closet Cabinets

Patrick, Matt, and Justin share stories about storm windows, energy-efficient homes, and drywall tape before tackling a few listener questions. Justin Fink is back in the studio this week with an update on his custom storm-window project. After chatting about Justin's windows, Matt's trip to an informal building-science conference, and Patrick's new affection for fiberglass drywall tape, the crew discuss heating options for small buildings, closet-cabinet material choices, and why anyone still bothers to use Phillips screws.
1/4/20191 hour, 52 seconds
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#151: Cordless Saws, Glued-Down Floors, and Buried Electrical Boxes

Are battery-powered miter saws tough enough? Can you glue solid oak to concrete? How can you install an outlet in a garage slab? Find answers to these questions and more. In this week's show, Patrick, Matt, and Rob mull over questions from several readers, including one contractor who is stuck on how to replace some water-damaged flooring that's installed directly over crumbling gypcrete. The guys also discuss how to protect a flush-mounted plug in a shop floor, how to get fresh air into a well-insulated backyard workshop, and whether it's time to forget about corded power tools and go fully cordless.
12/28/201853 minutes, 50 seconds
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#150: Why Do my Windows Sweat In the Winter?

This week the Fine Homebuilding editors discuss winter condensation, straw-bale homes, punky floor joists, rental-property remodels and more. After getting feedback from a few listeners, Patrick, Matt, and Rob find themselves again discussing the pros and cons of whole-house fans and the process of finding a good contractor. They move on to helping some other folks determine how far to go when fixing up a rental house; how to deal with rotted joists in a drafty crawlspace; if wet windows means there is a serious ventilation problem; and what materials make suitable moisture barriers for sills in a straw-bale house.
12/21/201855 minutes, 20 seconds
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#149: Insulation for old farmhouses, antique-home inspections, and smart ductwork details

The Fine Homebuilding staff gives their best advice for improving leaky board-and-batten walls, buying old houses, keeping HVAC systems within conditioned space, and safely venting gas appliances. In addition to addressing several listeners' questions Patrick, Matt, and Rob, check in on a roof repair from a previous podcast where the owner of a hunting cabin in Vermont ignored their advice and decided to take the easy way out. The crew cut him some slack, acknowledging that sometimes you just have to get the job done and move on.
12/14/201859 minutes, 3 seconds
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#148: Siding Woes, Life-Changing Tools, and Newbie Home Builders

The Fine Homebuilding editors contemplate listener questions about cladding choices, sheathing layout, and wall-framing techniques. After chatting about some of their own roofing and cabinetry projects, Patrick, Matt, and Rob compare their lists of tools they can't live without, discuss the best options for replacing old wood siding, and advise a future home builder on framing and sheathing best practices. Patrick also recounts his visit to a jobsite where the homebuilders were using an impressive new automated whole-house air-sealing system.
12/7/201859 minutes, 5 seconds
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#147: What's the Best Way to Build a Detached Garage Workshop?

The Fine Homebuilding editors debate the pros and cons of stem walls, monolithic slabs, and pole barns to help a listener design a new outbuilding. As usual, there are plenty of home-building and remodeling topics to cover in this week's podcast. After chatting about their own cabinetry and roofing projects, Patrick, Matt, and Rob do their best to help a few listeners find solutions for framing a garage, insulating and air sealing a cold bay window, and painting moldy exterior trim. Plus, Patrick alerts listeners to a recall of some dangerous water heaters.
11/30/201851 minutes, 57 seconds
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#146: Why do contractors have such a bad rap?

Patrick, Rob, and Matt cover a wide range of topics in this week's podcast, including building wood sheds, wrangling missing contractors, choosing an air conditioner, sealing cracks in garage floors, and providing makeup air for boilers and water heaters.
11/23/201851 minutes, 58 seconds
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#145: Do Whole-House-Fans Really work?

When a listener asks what measures he should take to keep cellulose from falling through his exhaust fan when insulating and air-sealing his attic, the Fine Homebuilding Editors wonder if he should get rid of the fan altogether.
11/16/20181 hour, 5 minutes, 6 seconds
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#144: Why Won't My Wood Floors Stay Flat?

Justin Fink is back after a few weeks’ hiatus, and he teams up with Patrick and Matt to talk about cool new tools Patrick spied at the STAFDA tool-dealers show in Phoenix, to revisit the topic of building storm-resistant homes, and to investigate why a listener's red-oak flooring is cupping. The crew also digs into more listeners' emails about replacing rotting sheathing under a porch and stopping condensation near a concrete door sill.
11/9/20181 hour, 1 minute, 27 seconds
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#143: Get Rid of That Scary Knob-and-Tube Wiring

The Fine Homebuilding editors discuss what to do if your house has an ancient electrical system, whether or not shoring up a steep hillside is a DIY project, and and how much of a gap you really need to leave when nailing up cedar shingles. Plus, they sneak in yet another wet-basement question. As usual, they also share stories about their own home-remodeling projects.
11/2/20181 hour, 6 minutes, 51 seconds
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#142: How can you build—or rebuild—homes to survive hurricanes?

After following up with a professional inspector's response to last week's discussion on home inspections, Patrick, Matt, and Rob share their findings on what makes some houses more stormproof than others, and where homeowners can go for help when rebuilding after a hurricane. They also take a stab at suggesting the best practices for insulating and air-sealing  a floor that separates living space above from an unheated garage below.
10/26/20181 hour, 1 minute, 59 seconds
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#141: Is Water-Heater Maintenance Worth The Hassle?

Patrick McCombe, Rob Wotzak, and Colin Russel kick off the podcast with a discussion about water-resistive barriers (the materials under your siding that protect the walls from moisture intrusion) before answering listener questions about prolonging the life of a water heater, dealing with humidity and rot in an old stone basement, providing makeup air for a fireplace, and finishing clear-cedar wainscoting.
10/19/201858 minutes, 6 seconds
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#140: Getting the Details Right When Re-Siding

Editors Patrick McCombe and Matt Millham welcome Fine Homebuilding’s new Digital Brand Manager, Rob Wotzak, to the podcast this week. The team discusses topics ranging from how far to dig into an old wall to get the weatherproofing details right when re-siding, what steps are essential when tying in a new roof to an old one, and what types of replacement windows make the most sense.
10/12/201857 minutes, 24 seconds
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#139: Matt’s Walls are Weeping

Justin and Patrick roll up their sleeves and wade into the flood waters to help Matt figure out what to do about his wet basement. This, plus code interpretations when it comes to deck footings, and some help for a listener with rotten walls.
10/5/201850 minutes, 41 seconds
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#138: Smarter Business for Builders, Part II

Join Justin for the second episode of a two-part series in which he interviews friend, Fine Homebuilding ambassador, and building-industry business consultant Shawn Van Dyke. 
10/2/201832 minutes, 2 seconds
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#137: Rethinking I-joist Rafters

Justin and Matt welcome video director Colin Russell to the podcast round table, where the day’s discussions range from Justin regretting his advice on I-joist roof rafters, the perks and scary downsides of DIY spray foam, sheathing replacement, and what to do with cupped floor boards.
9/28/201851 minutes, 40 seconds
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#136: Smarter Business for Builders

Join Justin for the first episode of a two-part series in which he interviews friend, Fine Homebuilding ambassador, and building-industry business consultant Shawn Van Dyke. 
9/25/201833 minutes, 49 seconds
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#135: Rotunda, Revisited

Justin, Matt, and Patrick field a follow up question on a particularly frightening rotunda framing job, and discuss options for building a round structure from straight joists. Other topics include preferred shower waterproofing systems and strategies for widening a concrete stoop to support the columns of a new portico roof.
9/21/201845 minutes, 34 seconds
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#134: Painting Kitchen Cabinets

The guys take a deep dive into the options for updating outdated kitchen cabinets before turning to questions on scratched tile and foundation options for a shed on a sloped lot.
9/14/201855 minutes, 4 seconds
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#133: Martin is Back!

GreenBuildingAdvisor.com editor Martin Holladay returns to the show to tackle tough building science questions like heat-pump efficiency at different altitudes, radiant barriers and heat transfer through a roof, and ways to retrofit insulation.
9/7/201855 minutes, 13 seconds
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#132: East Coast vs. West Coast

Justin, Patrick, and Matt discuss how power tool preferences differ from one coast to the other, consider less expensive alternatives to cedar, and do a deep dive on troubleshooting a problematic attached garage.
8/31/201857 minutes, 21 seconds
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#131: Dealing With Wet Decking

Justin, Patrick, and Matt discuss solutions to concrete piers that fall below grade, how to diagnose and deal with pooling water on a deck, and troubleshooting a tongue-and-groove cathedral ceiling installation.
8/24/201845 minutes, 22 seconds
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#130: Where New Meets Old

The guys work through the best way to tie new construction into old, out-of-whack structures. Other topics include roof rafters, job-site tool transport and storage, and whether to paint trim before installation or after.
8/17/201842 minutes, 26 seconds
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#129: Don’t Be a Heat Freak

Justin, Matt, and Patrick dive right into some listener questions about a worst-case repair situation (termite damage to an inaccessible rim joist), radon pumps and their affect on sump pumps, high-efficiency vs. standard boilers (are the fancy ones worth the cost?), and insulating an unconditioned space.
8/10/201851 minutes, 58 seconds
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#128: Worst. Photo Shoot. Ever.

Justin, Rob, and Brian discuss the "drastic" changes to the cover of Fine Homebuilding magazine, and tease some new future magazine content. Rob follows up on the fit of the face frame for his bathroom vanity (spoiler: he only scraped up the wall a little). The guys debate: Should bathroom vanities have a full back? They answer listener questions, and tell some "Stories From the Road" about the worst photo shoots they’ve ever been on.
8/3/201850 minutes, 24 seconds
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#127: A Flipbook of Houses Coming Together

Siding, patios, load-bearing walls, and beams are on the menu for this episode of the FHB Podcast, with our regulars Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo. The guys talk about the state of residential construction in California, and specifically San Francisco. Also in this episode ... gable roofs, painting, scribing, Victorian homes, and Shaker style.
7/27/201852 minutes, 57 seconds
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#126: Wave Goodby to Plywood?

FHB editor Justin Fink interviews two LBM experts from Louisiana-Pacific. They are Brian St.Germain, director of quality and tech for engineered wood, and Scott Lockyear, national sales manager for specified markets. The conversation ranges over OSB, siding, sheds, studs, and other structural building products.
7/20/201840 minutes, 52 seconds
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#125:French Doors, Kitchen Remodels, and the Gamification of Home Building.

Justin, Rob, and Brian tackle archways, restored glass, hardware, plate racks, cabinets, moisture control, and a broken tablesaw.
7/13/20181 hour, 7 minutes, 4 seconds
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#124: An Interview with Shawn Van Dyke

Shawn has a lot to say about closing the skills gap. He suggests that one part of the solution is to "solve your own skills gap" — that is, run your business right, use the right hiring process, and train the right people. Shawn also takes an interesting look at the financials of going into the trades vs going to college.
7/6/20181 hour, 9 minutes, 19 seconds
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#123: When Your Neighbor Hates the Mess in Your Yard

Justin, Rob, and Brian talk about being neighborly, and they tackle listener questions about rotting door frames, fireplace mantels, and porch hardware.
6/29/201842 minutes, 26 seconds
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#122: Talking About New Product Creation at PCBC 2018

Live from the Pacific Coast Builder Conference, Justin and Brian interview Jenn Tuetken, a senior industrial designer. The product development cycle includes feedback from customers, conceptualization and ideation, then working with engineers to make concepts real. Plus, other new products at PCBC.
6/29/201851 minutes, 48 seconds
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#121: Live from PCBC 2018 with Johnny Hourihan

A frank conversation about building trades careers: apprenticeships, internships, training programs, the cost of college, and the drive that leads to success in any industry.
6/28/201836 minutes, 24 seconds
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#120: Is Building Homes a Worthy Pursuit?

Justin, Rob, and Brian discuss home improvement retailers, the labor gap, modular homes, custom vs tract builders, making a living wage, job-site productivity, and the future of building trades.
6/22/201853 minutes, 32 seconds
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#119: Safety, Skylights, and Concrete

The guys tackle truss roof skylights, upgrading electrical outlets, breaking up and removing concrete, jointers, and built-ins over cooling/heating vents.
6/15/201852 minutes, 40 seconds
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#118: Inches and Feet

Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid tackle the metric vs. imperial debate again. They answer reader questions on paint, humidity, sheds, and foundation work. Plus, reader tips and when is it okay to work on your roof without shoes?
6/8/201847 minutes, 4 seconds
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#117: Solar energy, replacement windows, and porch posts.

This episode features our host, FHB editor Justin Fink, as well as design editor Brian Pontolilo and associate editor Matt Milham. They answer reader questions on energy efficiency, air-sealing, vinyl siding, columns, roof eaves, and historic renovation.
6/1/201856 minutes, 1 second
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#116: Math Tricks, Measuring Tapes, and the Metric System

In this episode of the podcast, Rob, Brian, and Justin answer several listener questions, including one about using metric measures. Plus, pre-stain conditioner, drywall, lally columns, passive houses, and the pros and cons of stairs that are both pretty and dangerous.
5/25/201856 minutes, 15 seconds
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#115: Martin Holladay Redux!

The guys have the week off for this episode, so we're taking a second listen to Podcast Episode #37, an interview with Green Building Advisor editor Martin Holladay. This episode features a frank discussion of what makes for a truly green home [hint: it's not solar panels and new construction]. This lively conversation covers the ways that the building trades can — and can’t — contribute to the fight against global warming.
5/18/201855 minutes, 20 seconds
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#114: Anthony Vitale Interview

In this episode, Justin, Rob, and Brian are joined by a guest; carpenter Anthony Vitale, owner of ProBuilt Woodworking, is participating via Skype. The four guys have a wide-ranging discussion that centers on the passion for the craft that drives quality. The conversation includes fine carpentry, keeping craft alive, apprentice programs, running a business, and training enthusiastic workers.
5/11/20181 hour, 1 second
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#113: Bringing Back Oakum

Our regular podcasters, Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo, talk about using oakum as a modern-day building material. Plus radiator covers, mantels, brick walls, trimwork, whole house design, and the Solar Decathalon.
5/4/201857 minutes, 32 seconds
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#112: How to Hire a Contractor

Our regular podcasters, Justin, Rob, and Brian, cover a range of topics that includes primers, sealers, paints, sprayers, and rollers; soapstone and concrete countertops; greenwashing and the true costs of net-zero homes; and woodworking and rocking chairs. Check out the show notes, links, and more at www.finehomebuilding.com/podcast.
4/27/20181 hour, 5 minutes, 20 seconds
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#111: Justin After Dentist

Just back from the dentist, Justin compares a dental crown to mortise and tenon carpentry. And he thinks novocaine has a lot in common with air-sealing. Also on this episode, Justin, Brian, and Matt talk about caulks, stucco, old house repairs, and lally columns.
4/20/201852 minutes, 22 seconds
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#110: Finished? More Like Ruined!

Rob, Justin, and Brian talk about coatings and finishes: frosted glass, milk paint, wood stain, and sprayers. Also, plywood, net-zero and building codes, building a desk, and hidden joinery.
4/13/20181 hour, 6 minutes, 17 seconds
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#109: Favorite Framing Articles from the FHB Vault

Rob, Justin, and Brian talk about floating shelves, cabinets, insulation, drywall, miter vs bevel, structural panels, painting a radiator, decks, and more.
4/6/201854 minutes, 54 seconds
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#108: Making a Historic Craftsman Home Energy Efficient

In this episode, Fine Homebuilding magazine editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Matt Millham. The guys talk about stud finders, fiberglass batts, cedar siding, rafters, and storm windows.
3/30/201856 minutes, 58 seconds
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#107: Live from the JLC show in Providence

Rob and Justin broadcast from the JLC Live trade show. Come check out the product and tool manufacturers, the demonstrations, and more at the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence, RI. Justin’s favorite new product is a track saw from Bosch. Rob talked about a new adhesive, twice as strong as PL Premium, called Loctite PL Max. Finally, the guys also chat with Alan Seelock from Huber about the company’s Zip R sheathing.
3/23/201829 minutes, 43 seconds
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#106: Strong Convictions on Green Building

Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid talk about the coming code changes in California that will require new homes to be net-zero by 2020. Plus, fiber cement repair, rough inspection, badly designed roofs, repairing rot with epoxy, crawlspaces, and drywall returns.
3/23/20181 hour, 3 minutes, 38 seconds
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#105: Energy Expert Martin Holladay Returns

The guys talk about chimneys, furnaces, venting, fans, spray foam, and factors that affect home energy use.
3/16/201849 minutes, 49 seconds
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#104: Interview with Restoration Expert Ben Brunick

Restoring historic buildings, divided-light windows, tools, concrete, and insulation.
3/9/20181 hour, 4 minutes, 49 seconds
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#103: Cabinets, Windows, and Mold

Justin Fink and Rob Yagid talk about JLC Live, SIPs drawbacks, timber-framed structures, and remediation.
3/2/201857 minutes, 38 seconds
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#102: Bathrooms, Blades, and Batts

Justin, Rob, and Brian tackle PEX, caulks, tubs, track saws, insulation, door removal, trim, reciprocating saws, and more.
2/23/201857 minutes, 32 seconds
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#101: Cabinet, Hot Water, Deck, and Wood Repair Questions

Justin, Brian, and Rob jump right into listener questions. They tackle lumber, trim, deck ledger flashing, wood rot, wood putty, dogs, and bacteria in the plumbing.
2/16/201848 minutes, 29 seconds
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#100: ONE HUNDRED SHOWS!

Rob, Justin, and Brian tackle bathroom electricals, roof vents, adhesive guns, appliances and kitchen cabinets, tablesaw safety, and two great sweepstakes.
2/9/201858 minutes, 42 seconds
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#99: Working with Wood

Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and senior editor Patrick McCombe tackle minisplits, Hoosier cabinets, additions, glue-size, floor joists, shingles, and rot-resistant lumber.
2/2/201845 minutes, 20 seconds
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#98: How Good Is Good Enough?

Justin, Rob, and Brian tackle reader feedback in this episode of the FHB Podcast, on topics including framing, roof vents, replacement windows, subflooring, and more.
1/26/201851 minutes, 20 seconds
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#97: Drain-waste-vent systems, trusses, dealing with contractors, and venting bathroom fans.

In this episode, Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo tackle listener questions on drain-waste-vent systems, stick-built rafters vs houses made of components, and bathroom roof vents. Plus, funding scholarships and dealing with contractors.
1/19/201854 minutes, 45 seconds
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#96: The Guys' Best New Product Picks From IBS 2018.

This is the fifth and final live-from-the-show episode of the Fine Homebuilding podcast. In the first half of this show, Justin is joined by AdvanTech product director Mike Pyle of Huber, the sponsor of this episode, and by FHB tool guru Patrick McCombe. In the second half, Justin, Patrick, Rob, and "Toolaholic" Kiefer Limeback pick the best new products that they saw at the show this year.
1/12/201845 minutes, 53 seconds
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#95: Mineral Wool and Starting a Building Trade Business

This is the fourth FHB episode that Rob and Justin are podcasting live from the 2018 Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. This one features sponsor Thomas Hackett, technical support manager at Rockwool -- the company, formerly known as Roxul, just changed its name in North America a couple days ago. In addition, FHB ambassador Nick Schiffer is on board for this episode as well. Nick is one of the hosts at the Modern Craftsman podcast. In this episode, the guys discuss Rockwool's new name, scribing stairs against a brick wall, using social media in your business, and coping with mistakes on the job.
1/11/201833 minutes, 25 seconds
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#94: Bathroom Tile and Trends in Trim

This is the third FHB episode that Rob and Justin are podcasting live from the 2018 Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. This Wednesday morning show features sponsor Andrew Acker, director of education at Schluter Systems, as well as FHB ambassador Jason Mollak of JPM Construction. In addition to the usual product chat and tech-geek stuff, the guys talk with Andy about encouraging young people to work in the trades, and with Jason about how some manufacturers are addressing the skills gap with a race-to-the-bottom trend in making "easy-install" products.
1/10/201829 minutes, 19 seconds
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#93: Tankless Water Heaters and Respect for Building Trades

This is the second FHB episode that Rob and Justin are podcasting live from the 2018 Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. For this show, recorded late on Tuesday, Jan. 9, the guys have two guests: podcast sponsor Frank Windsor, the chief operating officer at gas appliance manufacturer Rinnai, and FHB ambassador and finish carpenter Aaron Butt. The guys also talked about the Keep Craft Alive movement and ways to support scholarships for new builders and artisans. 
1/10/201830 minutes, 20 seconds
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#92: Live from the 2018 Builders' Show with Mike Guertin

Rob and Justin are podcasting live from the Builders' Show in Orlando, Fla. In this show, editorial advisor Mike Guertin joins the guys to talk about the evolution of building science, deck disasters, and what to look for at the Builders' Show.
1/9/201823 minutes, 34 seconds
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#91: Solar Roofs and Collapsing Sheds

In this podcast, Fine Homebuilding staffers Justin, Brian, and Rob talk about stain, brushes, roofs, solar panels, building codes, small barn restoration, trim materials, and insulation. Justin has some finishing issues, and Brian wants to save a shed.
1/5/20181 hour, 2 minutes, 27 seconds
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#90: Metal Roofs and Thermal Bridges

In this episode, Rob, Justin, and Brian take long looks at metal roofs and thermal bridges. The guys also tackle whistling hot water bathroom fixtures, closet flanges, replacing open-cell insulation, shed construction, and the paradox of caulking around the bottom of a toilet.
12/29/201753 minutes, 32 seconds
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#89: Gross Stories

Atmospheric water generators, working soapstone, basement flooring, ductless minisplits, glue where you just do not want it, drinking bad water, and dead mice.
12/22/201759 minutes, 32 seconds
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#88: "The Best Home Building Show Around!"

In this episode, Justin, Rob, and Brian talk about fine carpentry and hand planes, condensation in an attic, and the overwhelming options for fasteners these days. Plus, Brian's old band, "Grooved Pavement."
12/15/201758 minutes, 49 seconds
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#87: A Whole-House Remodel

In this episode, show regulars Justin Fink, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid talk about the priorities they would put on a complete home remodel of a typical 1980s dwelling. The guys discuss buying a house, ventilation, carpeting, paint, remodeling, built-ins, garages, humidity, attics, basements, and windows.
12/8/201753 minutes, 53 seconds
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#86: Bed molding versus crown molding, cornices, busted gate valves, and ceiling paint.

On Podcast Episode 86, Matt, Rob, and Brian return to mantels and hearths, and they grapple with listener questions about ceilings, basement remodeling, and plumbing for folks who are not so sure about their plumbing skills.
12/1/201756 minutes, 19 seconds
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#85: Happy Black Friday!

In this Thanksgiving episode, Brian, Rob, and Justin talk about building codes, mantels, MDF, toenailing, welding, attics, framing, flooring, and gift ideas at the Taunton Store.
11/24/201753 minutes, 56 seconds
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#84: Gifts and Tools and Tools and Gifts!

This holiday gift-giving edition features a podcast takeover by Fine Homebuilding associate editors Patrick McCombe and Matthew Millham; Matt Kenney, the special projects editor at Fine Woodworking; and FHB Ambassador Kiefer Limeback. The guys talked about tool gifts, including tool bags, work lights, 18-gauge nailers, bench chisels, bench planes, pry bars, circular saws, sanders, tape measures, and more.
11/17/201743 minutes, 9 seconds
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#83: Rob's attic, decking, designing a built-in, reinsulating an exterior wall.

Cold Attics and Wet Basements - Rob needs to finish framing and insulating his attic project before winter hits hard. Listeners submit questions on decking, basement water issues, and designing a built-in.
11/10/201757 minutes, 45 seconds
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#82: Brian's Roof Question

The guys talk about how to clean moss off a roof, plus listener questions on wind-driven moisture, large-format tile, air-sealed crawlspaces, and cased openings.
11/3/201754 minutes, 56 seconds
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#81: Radient tile flooring and local trends in the Nashville area.

In this special episode, the fifth recorded live at the 2017 Remodeling Show and Deck Expo, Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid talk with three home construction experts about trends in the Nashville area. Also, the guys talked with Rich Citro from Schluter systems. He has some interesting things to explain about heating tile systems.
10/31/201742 minutes, 38 seconds
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#80: Alternate materials for decking, easing customer fear, and more.

In this special episode, the fourth recorded live at the 2017 Remodeling Show and Deck Expo, Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid talk with FHB Ambassador Shawn Van Dyke. But first, the guys talked with Larry from Moisture Shield, the director of marketing at the company that makes synthetic and composite decking materials. Shawn Van Dyke is an FHB ambassador and a specialist in business coaching and consulting. He talked with the guys about customer fear and how to make your clients feel confident. Plus, estimates vs. proposals.
10/30/201742 minutes, 37 seconds
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#79: John Hourihan at the 2017 Remodeling Show and DeckExpo

In this special episode, the third recorded live at the 2017 Remodeling Show and Deck Expo, Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid talk with FHB Ambassador John Hourihan as well as Chris Clark from Huber. John Hourihan is an FHB ambassador and the Director of Operations at RiverStone Custom Builders in Wellesley, Mass.
10/27/201741 minutes, 46 seconds
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#78: Talking with Andy Moore at the Remodeling Show

In this special episode, recorded live at the 2017 Remodeling Show and Deck Expo, Justin and Rob talk with FHB Ambassador Andy Moore. Andy is the owner of Modern Oak Construction, and he tackles new construction and remodeling jobs, focusing on millwork installation.
10/27/201738 minutes, 48 seconds
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#77: Michael Pekovich Interview

Justin, Brian, and Rob sit down to talk craft with Fine Woodworking's creative director, who is also a regular on the Shop Talk Live podcast.
10/27/20171 hour, 8 minutes, 35 seconds
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#76: Welcome to the 2017 Remodeling Show and Deck Expo

The guys talk about their plans to keep you informed about the show — and to give a big push to #KeepCraftAlive.
10/27/20174 minutes, 34 seconds
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#75: Tools, Window Installation, Hardwood Flooring, and Electrical Panels

Justin, Brian, and Matt discuss the upcoming Remodeling Show and Deck Expo, an upcoming podcast episode with a master-class woodworker, working with wiring and conduit, and approaching work as a craftsman.
10/20/201747 minutes, 1 second
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#74: The Risks of Insulating Old Brick Homes

Three listener questions ... and the guys offer crown molding tips and clapboard siding advice. Plus, Justin's eye safety tale and ... "the nerdery never stops"!
10/13/201751 minutes, 54 seconds
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#73: Dealing with sub-contractors and LBM suppliers who disappoint.

The guys talk about the ideal work set-up vehicle, bad roof vents at two sites, poor building material supply experiences, and insulating rim joists.
10/6/20171 hour, 5 minutes, 40 seconds
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#72: Cottages, Cabins, Basement Remodels, and Steel Framing

In this episode, the guys talk about Matt's reasons and plans for building a cabin, or maybe a cottage. Justin leads a discussion on steel framing, and what happens to a steel-framed house in a fire. Exterior insulation and commercial building influences on steel framing are also a part of the conversation. Plus, metal plates in Rob's basement remodel, and Rob hijacks the podcast to talk about fixing the cracks in his chimney.
9/29/20171 hour, 2 minutes, 16 seconds
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#71: Spray-Foam Adhesive, Drywall, and Housewrap

Working alone vs. managing staff on site -- and what happens when OSB gets wet -- are two of the topics discussed by editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid in this episode.
9/22/201752 minutes, 13 seconds
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#70: Textured interior finishes, electrical panels, landscape lighting, flooding, PVC disposal, and pump issues.

Fine Homebuilding editor Justin Fink returns to the podcast after a week off. He reports on his "staycation," in which he worked on his garage/workshop. He strapped batts to the hip-roof and then air-sealed it all with rigid-foam insulation. Then he used a lift to put up drywal and used compounds to fill the gaps. He used a drywall texture tool to add texture to the walls and ceiling, and then painted.Plus listener questions on flooding and more.
9/15/201754 minutes, 33 seconds
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#69: Respirators and roofing underlayment.

Cellulose insulation, PVC dormer trim, working alone, dryer venting, and special offers are on the agenda in this podcast episode with Matthew Millham, Brian Pontolilo, and Rob Yagid.        
9/8/20171 hour, 3 minutes, 2 seconds
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#68: Fascia-board rot, drywall, cedar shingles, and heat pumps.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham and design editor Brian Pontolilo join FHB editor Justin Fink in this podcast episode. The guys tackle a reader question on rot on the fascia board of a flat-roofed back porch. Plus, a follow up to the drywall in Justin’s garage, Brian's work at his house, and Matt's new place.
9/1/201753 minutes, 6 seconds
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#67: Workbench design, pros and cons of ICFs, and options for a low slope roof.

In this podcast episode, host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys tackle reader questions on siding durability on a sloped lot and more. Plus, running conduit, yard clean-up, and hauling sheetrock.
8/25/201750 minutes, 31 seconds
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#66: Open-joint cladding: when does siding become purely ornamental?

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham and design editor Brian Pontolilo join FHB editor Justin Fink in this podcast episode. This episode features listener questions, focusing on load-bearing beams, choosing pipe, and what to do with an unused dryer vent. And Brian has strong opinions about water penetration through siding.
8/18/201745 minutes, 41 seconds
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#65: Summer upstairs ventilation, OSB vs plywood, and insulating rim joists.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Matthew Millham joins FHB editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid in this podcast episode. Matt's a new editor at FHB, as well as an Army veteran and a recent grad from the State University of New York's residential construction program. Plus, straw-bale construction, DIY rim-joist insulation, and OSB vs plywood.
8/11/201750 minutes, 13 seconds
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#64: Preservation carpentry, pool tables, window sashes, PVC, and MgO.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Brian talks about his recent visit with South-Dakota-based master carpenter Ben Brunick. They discuss Ben's honest, do-it-the-hard-way technique, including how he softens window glazes, but not old paint. Plus, more on Rob's roof renovation. The guys also talk about roofing from the top down; working alone; and a range of building materials.
8/4/201752 minutes, 3 seconds
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#63: Roofing, wiring, scaffolding, and basement supports.

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Patrick McCombe joins FHB editor Justin Fink and editorial director Rob Yagid in this podcast episode. After a bit of an absence from the show, Rob gets grilled on his 1940’s Cape remodel, taking a deep dive into removing his old three-layer roof, and the home-made scaffolding he used for the job. Plus, copper wiring vs. aluminum -- and new basement supports in a 280-year-old farmhouse.
7/28/201750 minutes, 29 seconds
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#62: The Need For Skirting, Plus Living and Working In Tiny Spaces

Fine Homebuilding associate editor Patrick McCombe joins FHB editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo in this podcast episode. The conversation ranges far and wide over plaster, batteries, small homes, and nailers. Plus, #KeepCraftAlive!
7/21/20171 hour, 6 minutes, 24 seconds
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#61: Interview with Jeremy Martin of Risher Martin Fine Homes.

In this podcast episode, another Texan joins host and editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo — Jeremy Martin, a builder in Austin, Texas. Jeremy has done everything from finish carpentry to managing on-site construction, interfacing with architects and designers, and running sales, marketing and financial operations. He’s a realtor. He holds the highest level of certification from the National Homebuilders Association, and is on the association board of directors. He was listed by Professional Remodeler Magazine as one of the 40 under 40, and was named custom builder of the year in Austin in 2015.
7/14/201753 minutes, 24 seconds
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#60: Brent Hull, the North Bennet St. School, and the Building Technology Heritage Library

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by design editor Brian Pontolilo and a special guest — Brent Hull, the founder and owner of Hull Historical. They talk about Brent's books, his show, and his efforts to #KeepCraftAlive.
7/7/201759 minutes, 55 seconds
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#59: Misadventures in roofing

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Topics for this show include modern cabins, small homes, roof vents, and building a foundation on piers.
6/30/201748 minutes, 33 seconds
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#58: Vermiculite, energy efficiency, and finishing an attic.

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Rob shares his plans and progress as he works on the unfinished attic space of his Cape-Cod-style home. A listener asks about the real value of energy efficiency, which turns out to be ... well ... complicated. Also, another listener asks about vermiculite, and whether it is the huge and expensive problem that abatement experts describe, or just something to deal with, no worries. Short answer: Worry!
6/23/20171 hour, 4 minutes, 39 seconds
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#57: Remodeling a Snowy Mountain Home

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. They have advice for a listener who is remodeling a mountain home in California where it snows — but HARD! Listeners also ask about sheathing and wall technology, garage foundations, and more.
6/16/201753 minutes, 53 seconds
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#56: Lights and Shades, Stone and Metal

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. Brian talks about his visit to a house in Austin, Texas, that uses an automated, app-activated system to control lights and shades. He explains how a remodeling firm keeps their jobs on budget, with four project managers juggling one or two projects at a time. Plus architectural metalwork, HGTV, stone walls, outdoor wood boilers, and window flashing.
6/9/201752 minutes, 28 seconds
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#55: The $2,500 Tool Wish List Challenge

In this podcast episode, editor and host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They take the entire episode to argue about the best way to spend $2,500 on tools.
6/2/201757 minutes, 38 seconds
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#54: Cellulose vs Fiberglass, Lead Paint, Decks

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. The guys respond to a listener who takes them to task over their lead paint stripping advice. Another listener asks about Rob's dormer build, sizing his dormers to look appropriate given the design of his house, but also having a large enough clearing to meet code for egress requirements. Other topics covered in this podcast: blown-in fiberglass insulation vs. cellulose, building a deck over a concrete patio, and using smart membrane with insulation.
5/26/201753 minutes, 48 seconds
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#53: Basements, Porches, and Architecture

In this podcast episode, host and editor Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo. They talk about their own projects: Justin's porch, Brian's involvement with the American Institute of Architects, and Rob's basement. Other topics covered in this podcast: countertops, oil finishes, lightning strikes, fence posts, roofing, grouting, and building a house in phases.
5/19/20171 hour, 1 minute, 54 seconds
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#52: Painting vinyl siding, basement bathroom reorganization, and masonry topics.

In this podcast episode, Host Justin Fink is joined by editorial director Rob Yagid and associate editor Patrick McCombe. They tackle listener questions on painting vinyl siding, farmhouse style homes, and a brick chimney repair.
5/12/201756 minutes, 57 seconds
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#51: Why Don't We Build Better Houses?

In this podcast episode, Fine Homebuilding editor-at-large Kevin Ireton joins editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo for conversation that explores a key question: "We know how to build better, so why aren't we?" After 20-plus years of advancing building science, Energy Star for homes, and green research, we have the know-how to make homes more energy efficient, comfortable, durable, and even healthier. but there are going to be a million and a half homes built in America this year, and the vast majority will only made to code minimum. Why? Other topics covered in this podcast: Renovating old houses, a poorly made staircase in an old basement, wrapping copper pipes with insulation, and the difference between a jig and a fixture.
5/5/201755 minutes, 35 seconds
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#50: House Wrap, Tape, and the Business of Building

In this podcast episode, FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss tankless water heater tech, including propane gas lines needed to supply them. Also on the slate for this episode: porches, excavation, crawlspace insulation, window flashing, and building trades business resources. Plus, a scammer tries to convince Brian that there is a warrant out for his arrest for tax violations.
4/28/201757 minutes, 24 seconds
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#49: Drainable House Wrap, Garage Replacement, Windows Installation, and Roof Replacement

In this podcast episode, FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss cabinet and drawer hardware, window sheathing and flashing, and DIY roof replacement. Also, latex paint is better than oil paint, plus the odd things Justin has in his personal shop. And please, let's step back from the discussion of the advantages of lead-based paint.
4/25/20171 hour, 10 minutes, 24 seconds
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#48: Old Paint, Cheap Tools, and the Good and Bad of HGTV

In this podcast episode, FHB editor Justin Fink, associate editor Patrick McCombe, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss paint expiration, discount tools, dust collection options, shopping at Harbor Freight, reconditioned (CPO) power tools, and HGTV. Plus, the podcast has a new musical intro, and why you should not let Justin borrow your tools.    
4/14/201753 minutes, 55 seconds
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#47: Paint Stripper Dangers and Making Interior Doors

FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid discuss heating systems, cabinets with legs, concrete vs granite for sinks and counters, witch windows, building code, and how architects work with builders.
4/7/20171 hour, 2 minutes, 3 seconds
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#46: How to build a low-energy home that is neither too big nor too expensive.

In this podcast extra, FHB editor Justin Fink, design editor Brian Pontolilo, and editorial director Rob Yagid are joined by ProHOME designer Mike Maines in an episode that looks at the 2016 ProHOME project as a case study in building a progressive, low-energy home. They tackle the project from foundation to mechanicals to insulation to finished interiors.
4/7/201750 minutes, 48 seconds
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#45: Cabinets, hot water heaters, deck finishing, and pegboard vs slat-wall

In this podcast episode, host and FHB editor Justin Fink talks with design editor Brian Pontolilo and associate editor Patrick McCombe about TPO valves for water heaters, General Electric, making your own concrete patio pavers, and deck refinishing. The guys talk about the Taunton workshop (used by Fine Homebuilding and sister magazine Fine Woodworking). A reader question on slat-wall systems as an alternative to pegboard gets some expert consideration from Patrick and some general jocularity from all three. Plus more on Brian's kitchen cabinets.
3/31/20171 hour, 2 minutes, 27 seconds
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#44: Tools, Kitchen Cabinets, and Shingles Under Solar Panels

In this podcast episode, host and FHB editor Justin Fink talks with design editor Brian Pontolilo and associate editor Patrick McCombe about cordless miter saws, routers, drivers, drills, and more. That includes some pretty honest evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of tool makers including Milwaukee, Rigid, DeWalt, Bosch, Festool, and Makita. Plus Brian's kitchen cabinets, jigs for drawer slides, roof durability under solar panels, and a water heater in the attic?!
3/24/201752 minutes, 14 seconds
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#43: Energy Efficiency, R-Values, and Building Passive Houses

Architect, builder, and designer Steve Baczek joins FHB editor Justin Fink and design editor Brian Pontolilo in this episode. The conversation ranges over solar heat gain from windows, juggling mechanical and window package costs, how to pick a contractor, and constructing to the passive house standard.
3/17/201749 minutes, 58 seconds
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#42: Dense-Packed Cellulose Insulation, Upgrading the Weather Barrier in a Florida Craftsman House, and Photovoltaics.

FHB associate editor Patrick McCombe joins Justin, Rob, and Brian to talk about cellulose insulation in Episode 42 of the Fine Homebuilding Podcast. The guys tackle a listener question on prioritizing crawlspace repairs in an old Craftsman house in Florida. Plus, options in photovoltaics.
3/10/201747 minutes, 43 seconds
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#41: Carpentry education, timeless style, working on platforms, and roof jobs.

Rob talks about his visit to the North Bennet Street School in Boston, which runs the oldest carpentry program in the United States. The guys offer advice to a shop teacher on “timeless” vs “dated” styles in home renovation. Also on the slate: large high-performance houses on sloped lots, working platform safety vs cost vs efficiency, and Brian’s first job working on roofs.
3/3/201751 minutes, 30 seconds
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#40: ProHOME Materials, Shop Organization, Dust Collectors, and Miter Saw Stands

In an open discussion of the Fine Homebuilding ProHOME demonstration project, the guys talked about sourcing building materials and our guiding purpose in trying new things — like No-Coat drywall tape for corners and Habito heavy-duty drywall. Podcast host and FHB editor Justin Fink, editorial director Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo also tackled windows with drywall returns, shop organization, dust collectors, and miter saw stands.
2/24/201750 minutes, 28 seconds
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#39: Septic, House Flipping, Shower Pans, Double Doors, Safety

The guys share horror stories of jobsite injury, offer advice on re-constructing a leaky shower pan, and discuss the ins and outs of double doors.
2/17/20171 hour, 1 minute, 1 second
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#38: Insulating basement walls and cathedral ceilings, window replacements and make-up air, and ductless mini-splits in cold climates.

Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo continue their conversation with GreenBuildingAdvisor.com editor and green building expert Martin Holladay. Martin mentions the superlative builder community at his site. The discussion also covers insulating basement walls and cathedral ceilings, window replacements and make-up air, and ductless mini-splits in cold climates.
2/10/201757 minutes, 19 seconds
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#37: Off-grid housing, structural insulated panels, and flash-and-batt insulation.

In this episode, Justin, Rob, and Brian welcome green building expert Martin Holladay to talk green building philosophy in general and to answer specific listener questions.
2/3/201753 minutes, 42 seconds
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#36: Respirators, porch paint, pergolas, maple vs poplar, and getting trim proportions classically correct.

In this episode, FHB editors Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo talk about options in porch paint, a pergola installation at Brian’s house, and options in fixing a drywall gap.
1/27/201754 minutes, 43 seconds
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#35: Listener mail, overdriven nails, hurricanes, insulation options, floor protection, and more.

In this episode, host Justin Fink, Rob Yagid, and Brian Pontolilo respond to reader mail about overdriven nails, roofing in high winds, and protecting floors during during remodels.
1/20/201759 minutes, 25 seconds
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#34: Boots, House Renovations, Light Fixtures, and Trim Quality

In this episode, host Justin Fink talks with Rob Yagid and Brian Pontolilo about exploring and renovating a 19th Century New England cottage-stye house that’s in pretty deep disrepair. The guys discuss the business budget and logic of house-flipping, kitchen remodeling, light fixtures, and factors in trim quality.
1/13/201756 minutes, 42 seconds
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#33: Fourth of four casts from the International Builders' Show.

Fine Homebuilding editorial director Rob Yagid and editor Justin Fink talk about what's happening at IBS 2017, especially the Keep Craft Alive initiative and how to bring new people into the trades. Also, the guys discuss house sheathing and tapes.
1/12/20171 hour, 12 minutes, 34 seconds
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#32: Third of four casts from the International Builders' Show.

Fine Homebuilding editor in chief Justin Fink talk about industry experts about tile primer, showerheads, wine cellars, dehumidifiers, coil nailers, spray foams, and air and moisture barriers.
1/11/201758 minutes, 56 seconds
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#31: Adhesives and Building Trades at the 2017 International Builders' Show

Fine Homebuilding editor in chief Justin Fink chats with several construction masters at IBS 2017, covering construction adhesives and getting under the hood of the home building trade.
1/11/20171 hour, 3 minutes, 42 seconds
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#30: First of four casts from the International Builders' Show.

Fine Homebuilding editorial director Rob Yagid and editor in chief Justin Fink talk about what's happening at IBS 2017, especially the Keep Craft Alive initiative and the support for the campaign at the show from the ranks of younger attendees. Plus, Justin is "tooled out" — but he's looking for new materials at this show.
1/10/201717 minutes, 48 seconds
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#29: Cellulose in the Attic, Shaker Sensibility

In this episode, host Justin Fink talks with Rob Yagid and Brian Pontolilo about attics and insulation — especially Brian's project prepping his attic for insulation and then blowing in the cellulose. Brian, Rob, and Justin are amazed at builder Mike Guertin’s clever trick for tackling the cheek wall of a cross-gable. Plus simple Shaker design and listener questions.
1/6/20171 hour, 2 minutes, 2 seconds
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#28: Work boots, attic ducts and insulation, weather barriers and over-driven nails, and reusing building materials.

Work boots; attic ductwork, dampers, and blow-in insulation; weather barriers, over-driven nails, wall sheathing, and liquid flashing; and the pros and cons of reusing material are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
12/27/201654 minutes, 27 seconds
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#27: A look at how to build a whole house on a tight budget.

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo tackle the challenge of building a whole house on a very tight budget. They cover everything from site work to building design to windows, insulation, roofing, siding, HVAC, interiors, and appliances.
12/22/20161 hour, 1 minute, 41 seconds
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#26: Drywall, building for limited mobility, and preparing exteriors for paint

Drywall, preparing residences for people with limited mobility, why putting TVs above fireplaces is gross, and preparing clapboard and shingle siding for painting are the topics discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
12/16/201654 minutes, 19 seconds
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#25: Partition-Wall Window, Pergolas, and Fire Blocking

Partition-Wall Window, Pergolas, and Fire Blocking are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
12/9/201646 minutes, 11 seconds
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#24: STAFDA Convention, Vinyl-Siding Penetrations, Kitchen-Island Venting, and Rough Openings

STAFDA, Vinyl-Siding Penetrations, Kitchen-Island Venting, and Rough Openings are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, associate editor Patrick McCombe, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
12/2/201655 minutes, 2 seconds
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#23: Attic Upgrade, Exterior Siding, and DIY Dense Pack

Attic Upgrades, Exterior Siding, and DIY Dense-Pack Cellulose are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
11/25/201659 minutes, 12 seconds
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#22: McMansions, Whole-House Ventilation, and Thermal and Ignition Barriers

McMansions, Whole-House Ventilation, and Thermal and Ignition Barriers are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
11/18/201658 minutes, 14 seconds
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#21: Finished Basements, Bleeping Cussing, and Roof Issues

Finished Basements, Bleeping Cussing, and Roof Issues are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
11/11/20161 hour, 5 minutes, 55 seconds
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#20: Trusses, Windows, Decking, and Foundations

Trusses, Windows, Decking, and Foundations are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
11/4/201642 minutes, 31 seconds
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#19: Risky Performance Assemblies, Sustainable Efficiency, and Wall Cracks

Risky Performance Assemblies, Sustainable Efficiency, and Wall Cracks are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
10/28/20161 hour, 1 minute, 6 seconds
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#18: Linear Drains, Exterior Weatherization, and Mudsill Repair

Linear Drains, Exterior Weatherization, and Mudsill Repair are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
10/21/201655 minutes, 41 seconds
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#17: Trimming Curved Stairs, Soundproofing, and Air-Sealing Drywall

Trimming Curved Stairs, Soundproofing, and Air-Sealing Drywall are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
10/14/201659 minutes, 46 seconds
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#16: Conditioned Attics, Job-Site Problem Solving, and Dormers

Conditioned Attics, Job-Site Problem Solving, and Dormers are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
10/7/201653 minutes, 2 seconds
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#15: Bath Design, Sentimental Tools, and #KeepCraftAlive

Bath Design, Sentimental Tools, and #KeepCraftAlive are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
9/30/201652 minutes, 7 seconds
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#14: Vinyl Siding, Mixing Trim Styles, Flash-and-Batt Insulation, and Apprenticing

Vinyl Siding, Mixing Trim Styles, Flash-and-Batt Insulation, and Apprenticing are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
9/23/201658 minutes, 22 seconds
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#13: Wood Floor Patching, Window Trim, Big-Box Stores, Staining Pine, and Plaster

Wood Floor Patching, Window Trim, Big-Box Stores, Staining Pine, and Plaster are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
9/16/201659 minutes, 22 seconds
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#12: Performance Walls, Excavation Issues, and Roof Replacement

Performance Walls, Excavation Issues, and Roof Replacement are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and design editor Brian Pontolilo.
9/9/201657 minutes, 59 seconds
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#11: Floor Leveling, Crawlspaces, and Structural Beams

Floor Leveling, Crawlspaces, and Structural Beams are discussed by host and managing editor Justin Fink, editor in chief Rob Yagid, and associate editor Patrick McCombe.
9/2/20161 hour, 1 minute, 35 seconds
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#10: Doors, Cabinetry, and Basement Insulation

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about Doors, Cabinetry, and Basement Insulation.
8/26/201658 minutes, 22 seconds
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#9: Home Performance, Floor Squeaks, and Bath Remodeling

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about home performance, floor squeaks, and bath remodeling.
8/19/20161 hour, 5 minutes, 3 seconds
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#8: DeWalt and Milwaukee Tool Shows and The Paint Quality Institute

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with design editor Brian Pontolilo and associate editor Patrick McCombe about the DeWalt and Milwaukee tool shows and the Paint Quality Institute.
8/12/20161 hour, 3 minutes, 15 seconds
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#7: Siding and Trim, Tile Backer, and Job Quotes

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about Siding and Trim, Tile Backer, and Job Quotes.
8/5/201654 minutes, 9 seconds
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#6: PEX, Heat-Pump Water Heaters, Flush Noise, and Precast Steps

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about PEX, Heat-Pump Water Heaters, Flush Noise, and Precast Steps.
7/29/201658 minutes, 47 seconds
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#5: Outdoor Showers, Efflorescence, Attic Insulation, and Window Replacement

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about outdoor showers, efflorescence, attic insulation, and window replacement.
7/22/201649 minutes, 10 seconds
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#4: Burying Conduit, Fall Protection, and Foundation Failures

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about the importance of burying electrical conduit, proper fall protection, and foundation failures.
7/14/201654 minutes, 5 seconds
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#3: Mold, Roof Framing, and Building Code

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor-in-chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about mold problems, roof-framing options, and the moral obligation of building to code.  
7/8/201652 minutes, 19 seconds
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#2: Paint Quality, Tool Rentals, and Advanced Framing

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor-in-chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about paint quality, tool rentals, and advanced framing.
7/1/201657 minutes, 17 seconds
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#1: Radon Mitigation, Deck Ledgers, and Minisplits

In this episode, host and managing editor Justin Fink talks with editor in chief Rob Yagid and design editor Brian Pontolilo about the importance of radon mitigation, deck ledgers, and minisplits.
6/17/201650 minutes, 26 seconds