The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Justin, Rob, and Brian tackle archways, restored glass, hardware, plate racks, cabinets, moisture control, and a broken tablesaw.

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.

Justin, Rob, and Brian talk about being neighborly, and they tackle listener questions about rotting door frames, fireplace mantels, and porch hardware.

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.

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.

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.

The guys tackle truss roof skylights, upgrading electrical outlets, breaking up and removing concrete, jointers, and built-ins over cooling/heating vents.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rob, Justin, and Brian talk about floating shelves, cabinets, insulation, drywall, miter vs bevel, structural panels, painting a radiator, decks, and more.

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.

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.

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.

The guys talk about chimneys, furnaces, venting, fans, spray foam, and factors that affect home energy use.

Restoring historic buildings, divided-light windows, tools, concrete, and insulation.

Justin Fink and Rob Yagid talk about JLC Live, SIPs drawbacks, timber-framed structures, and remediation.

Justin, Rob, and Brian tackle PEX, caulks, tubs, track saws, insulation, door removal, trim, reciprocating saws, and more.

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.

Rob, Justin, and Brian tackle bathroom electricals, roof vents, adhesive guns, appliances and kitchen cabinets, tablesaw safety, and two great sweepstakes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Atmospheric water generators, working soapstone, basement flooring, ductless minisplits, glue where you just do not want it, drinking bad water, and dead mice.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.