The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The crew hears about carbon and workwear for women before taking questions about repairing asphalt felt, vent terminations, and demolition by neglect.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The crew hears about indoor-air quality and reclaiming flooring before taking questions about stair stringers, mudsill details, and building a concrete dome.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.