The Fine Homebuilding Podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

Keith and Patrick talk about affordable high-performance homes, easy ways to boost home efficiency, and the low-load house Keith built for himself.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This owner of a remodeling and construction firm describes his atypical career path, from beginning as a laborer to eventually purchasing the company.

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.

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.

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.

Patrick talks to Doug Howard, director of consulting for Remodelers Advantage, about how remodelers can grow their businesses and be more profitable.

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.

Patrick talks to home builder and remodeler Jason Kehrer about starting a construction business, finding good help, and the future of residential construction.

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.

Patrick talks to former Fine Homebuilding deputy editor and current carpenter Matthew Millham about his transition from construction media to residential building.

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.

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.